Wolverine Offense Shut Down by Trojans

Saturday, March 9

Los Angeles, Calif.

6:00 PM PT

Michigan

9-3

USC

5-8

Michigan

USC

Karl Kauffmann

3/9/2019 11:55:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Kurt Svoboda

» Karl Kauffmann lost his first decision of the season but pitched well, striking out five batters.
» Michigan mustered only three hits in the game.
» The Wolverines stranded two runners in scoring position in the sixth inning when after cutting the deficit to 2-1.

Site: Los Angeles, Calif. (Dedeaux Field)
Event: Dodger Stadium College Baseball Classic (Day 2 of 3)
Score: USC 4, #16 Michigan 1
Records: U-M (9-3), USC (5-8)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, March 10 – vs. Oklahoma State (Los Angeles, Calif.) 10:30 a.m. PDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- One night after a sensational victory over the No. 2-ranked UCLA Bruins, the No. 16-ranked University of Michigan baseball team could not find its rhythm as the Wolverines dropped a 4-1 decision Friday night (March 9) to USC at Dedeaux Field in game two of the Dodger Stadium College Baseball Classic.

USC scraped together two runs in the fourth inning on a pair of singles, an RBI groundout and a two-out single, as the Trojans climbed on top, 2-0.

Michigan edged closer in the sixth. Sophomore Joe Donovan jumped on a first-pitch fastball and doubled down the left-field line to lead off the inning. Sophomore Jack Blomgren then laid down a perfect bunt, which he beat to first base. The throw got away from USC and an aggressive baserunning decision by Donovan brought the catcher all the way home from second base for the run and a 2-1 deficit. Senior Ako Thomas then walked to put two runners on base. USC went to its closer, Connor Lunn, who succeeded in retiring the side, two via strikeout, while leaving runners in scoring position after Michigan successfully executed a double steal with two outs.

USC added an important insurance run in the eighth. Working against sophomore reliever Angelo Smith, the Trojans got a leadoff walk, had a runner move up on a wild pitch and then had runners on the corners following a bloop single. Michigan went back to the bullpen in favor of junior Jack Weisenburger. He induced a sacrifice fly to center which gave the Trojans a 4-1 lead.

Junior starter Karl Kauffmann (3-1) lost his first decision of the season, but the right-hander pitched well again. He scattered six hits, walked two and struck out five batters – all of them coming during a span that saw him retire the final 10 batters he faced.

Michigan will conclude its road trip with a 10:30 a.m. PDT game against Oklahoma State at Dodger Stadium in the finale of the Dodger Stadium College Baseball Classic.