Michigan's Five-Run First not Enough Against UConn

Friday, February 21

Port St. Lucie, Fla.

2:00 PM

Michigan

3-2

Connecticut

2-2

UConn

Michigan

Jordan Nwogu (Michigan Photography)

2/21/2020 7:08:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Kyler Ludlow

» Jeff Criswell fanned eight Huskies hitters.
» Every Wolverine starter reached base safely.
» Michigan drew eight walks.
» Jordan Nwogu hit his first home run of the season.

Site: Port St. Lucie, Fla. (Mets Complex #2)
Score: UConn 8, #9 Michigan 7
Records: U-M (3-2), UConn (2-2)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Feb. 22 -- vs. UConn (Port St. Lucie, Florida), 2 p.m.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The No. 9-ranked University of Michigan baseball team held a one-run lead after seven innings, but could not hang on and fell, 8-7, to UConn on Friday (Feb. 21) in the opener if its three-game series at the New York Mets Spring Training Complex.

After junior starter Jeff Criswell struck out the side in order to start the game, Michigan (3-2) got on the board immediately, starting their scoring in the first inning with five runs and just one base hit. The Wolverines drew five walks in the frame, had a hit-by-pitch, benefited from a sacrifice fly, and wrapped the frame with an RBI single from senior Dominic Clementi.

The Huskies cut the score to 5-2 with a pair of runs in the second, but U-M struck right back when junior Jordan Nwogu lined a home run over the left-field wall, which brought the score to 6-2.

UConn (2-2) clawed back to even the ballgame at 6 in the top of the sixth before Michigan reclaimed a 7-6 advantage in the bottom half. Freshman Ted Burton gave the Wolverines a lead with an opposite-field, two-out RBI single that scored sophomore Riley Bertram. The Wolverines were unable to hold the lead, as UConn scored a run each in the final two innings to grab the win.

Offensively, Michigan had just four hits in the game, but every player in the lineup reached base at least once. Nwogu led the way with the Wolverines' lone extra-base hit, while junior Joe Donovan put together a noteworthy performance at the plate going 1-for-3 with two walks. Junior Jack Blomgren reached base three times thanks to two walks and a hit-by-pitch, and Clementi also chipped in with one hit in four at-bats and adding an RBI. Senior Benjamin Keizer (1-1) took the loss.

Michigan and UConn will continue their three-game set Saturday (Feb. 22) at the New York Mets Spring Training Complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida. First pitch got game two of the series is scheduled for 2 p.m. on field five.