Wolverines Take Down Cal Poly, No. 9 Arizona State in Convincing Fashion

Saturday, February 15

Scottsdale, Ariz.

1:00 PM MT

Michigan

2-0

Cal Poly

1-1

Michigan

Cal Poly

Blake Beers (Michigan Photography)

Wolverines Take Down Cal Poly, No. 9 Arizona State in Convincing Fashion

2/15/2020 11:55:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery

By: Kyler Ludlow

» Shortstop Jack Blomgren collected four hits on the day.
» Starter Blake Beers struck out five Mustang hitters.
» Four Wolverines had multiple hits against Cal Poly.
» Cameron Weston picked up his first career save.
» Steve Hajjar and Jack White combined to throw a five-hit shutout over No. 9 Arizona State.
» The Wolverines out-hit the Sun Devils, 9-5, and ASU went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
» Danny Zimmerman hit his first career home run at ASU.

Site: Scottsdale, Ariz. (Salt River Fields at Talking Stick); Phoenix, Ariz. (Phoenix Municipal Stadium)
Scores: #13 Michigan 8, Cal Poly 5; #13 Michigan 5, #9 Arizona State 0
Records: U-M (3-0), Cal Poly (1-1), Arizona State (1-2)
Next U-M Event: Sunday (Feb. 16) -- vs. UConn - MLB4 Collegiate Tournament (Scottsdale, Arizona), 10 a.m. MST

• Kornacki: Hajjar, Beers Handcuff Batters in Two Valley of the Sun Wins

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The No. 13-ranked University of Michigan baseball team turned in a strong all-around performance Saturday (Feb. 15), using a collection of 13 hits to dispatch Cal Poly, 8-5, before shutting out No. 9 Arizona State, 5-0, behind the pitching duo of redshirt freshman Steven Hajjar and sophomore Jack White.

In the opening game against Cal Poly, offense was the name of the game with the top of the order doing particular damage. Junior Jordan Nwogu finished the game with three base hits, while fellow junior Jack Blomgren collected four. In all, the Wolverines finished with eight runs on 13 hits.

Junior starter Blake Beers (1-0) made his presence felt on the mound in his first start of the season, picking up the win for Michigan (2-0) after going 5.2 innings, giving up two runs, zero earned, on four hits, allowing no walks and striking out five.

Joining the offensive party was freshman Ted Burton, who went 2-for-5 with three RBIs.

The Wolverines got on the board immediately, starting with three run in the first inning, and expanded their lead in the fifth. Michigan picked up two runs when a single from Barton drove in freshman Clark Elliott and senior Matthew Schmidt, bringing the Wolverines lead to 5-0.

Cal Poly narrowed Michigan's lead to 5-3 before the Wolverines stretched the advantage to 8-3 in the eighth inning. Cal Poly put two runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Michigan held on for the win. Freshman Cameron Weston emerged from the bullpen to record the game's final out and pick up his first career save.

In game two, redshirt freshman starter Steven Hajjar twirled a gem, going six innings and surrendering just three hits while striking out seven. Sophomore Jack White fired three scoreless innings of relief, allowing two hits and striking out the final batter of the game.

Redshirt sophomore Danny Zimmerman put the Wolverines on the board with a majestic solo home run in the third inning. U-M tacked on another in the fifth after a Zimmerman double and ASU error brought home Elliott, then made it a 3-0 game in the sixth when sophomore Riley Bertram singled home Blomgren, who led off the inning with a double.

The Wolverines put the game out of reach thanks to a Dominic Clementi pinch-hit, two-run double down the right field line with two outs.

Though the Sun Devils threatened in the ninth, Michigan turned one of two double plays in the game to end the rally and bring home the victory.

Michigan will wrap up its trip to the Grand Canyon State with a game against UConn on Sunday (Feb. 16) at 10 a.m. MST to complete play at the MLB4 Collegiate Tournament.