Michigan Drops Rainy Series Opener to Illinois

Friday, May 11

Ann Arbor, Mich.

3:00 PM

Michigan

31-15, 0

Illinois

28-16, 0

Illinois

Michigan

5/11/2018 7:17:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Katie Gwinn Hewitt

» The loss is Michigan's second at home this season, bringing the Wolverines' home record to 17-2.
» Michigan led, 1-0, after the first inning but Illinois took control with five runs in the second.
» Using seven hits and seven walks, Michigan put runners on base in all but two innings.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Complex)
Score: Illinois 10, Michigan 3
Records: U-M (31-15, 14-4), ILL (28-16, 12-8)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, May 12 -- vs. Illinois (Wilpon Complex), 2 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan baseball team dropped a 10-3 decision to the Illinois Fighting Ilini on Friday afternoon (May 11) in the first game of the weekend series at the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium.

The loss is just Michigan's second at home this season. Prior to Friday's game, the Wolverines rattled off 17 straight wins at home after dropping their home opener in March.

Freshman Jesse Franklin put Michigan on the board with an RBI single in the bottom of the first, but Illinois responded with five runs on three hits and a Michigan error in the top of the second.

Two scoreless innings followed, but a solo home run in the fifth and a two-run blast in the sixth off the bat of Big Ten offensive leader Bren Spillane extended the Illini lead to 8-1 after six innings.

After Michigan cut the deficit to six in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI groundout from senior Brock Keener, Illinois responded with two runs in the eighth to take a 10-2 lead.

The Wolverines rallied in the bottom of the ninth to score a run and load the bases with two outs, but the effort fell short as a flyout ended the game with Illinois on top, 10-3.

Michigan totaled seven hits and drew seven walks but stranded 10 baserunners as the Wolverines put men on base in all but two innings. Sophomore Dominic Clementi led the Maize and Blue with two hits and two walks, while junior Blake Nelson walked three times.

Michigan (31-15, 14-4) and Illinois (27-16, 12-7) will continue the weekend series on Saturday (May 12) with a single game at 2 p.m. at Ray Fisher Stadium. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative frisbee, and there will be a pregame performance by the Disc Dogs of Michigan.