Michigan
Nebraska
Wolverines Lose Pitchers' Duel to Nebraska in Extra Innings
4/7/2023 8:15:00 PM | Baseball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan baseball team was locked in a pitchers' duel against Nebraska but fell 3-1 in 10 innings in the series opener on Friday (April 7) at the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium.
Connor O'Halloran started on the mound for the Wolverines (16-13, 5-2 Big Ten) and pitched a career-high nine innings against the Cornhuskers (17-9-1, 3-1 Big Ten). Over the first two innings, O'Halloran allowed just two baserunners on a hit and a walk, but both were left on base. U-M got its first baserunner of the game in the first with a two-out walk from Joe Longo, but he was left stranded.
The Huskers got on the board first with a leadoff home run in the third. Nebraska managed another hit in the inning, but O'Halloran's first strikeout of the afternoon ended the inning with Nebraska up 1-0. Another big O'Halloran strikeout came on the second out of the inning after a double and wild pitch put a Nebraska runner on third. A groundout to Cody Jefferis ended the inning, one of six assists on the day.
Michigan threatened in the fourth inning, with a leadoff walk to Ted Burton, who advanced to second on a wild pitch but got no further. O'Halloran rolling through the next three innings, allowing just one hit striking out two.
U-M made another charge in the seventh inning. Longo walked to start things off and was pinch-run for by Greg Pace Jr., who moved to third on a double off the left-field wall from Joey Velazquez. However, both were stranded when the next three batters were set down in order.
O'Halloran allowed a leadoff single and walk to start the eighth, but got some help from his defense with a 6-4-3 double play and a ground out.
Jonathan Kim got Michigan on the board in the bottom of the eighth with a solo home run to right-center which tied the game at 1. O'Halloran came back to the mound for the ninth and pitched another 1-2-3 inning, but the Wolverine offense also went three up, three down to send the game to extras.
Nebraska took a two-run lead in the top of the 10th after a one-out two-run shot to left off Noah Rennard (4-1), who recovered with a full-count strikeout and foul out to first baseman Jack Van Remortel to lmit the damage.
Gabe Sotres gave U-M a chance for a comeback after getting hit by a pitch with two outs, but a Kim strikeout ended the game.
The Wolverines will look to draw even in the series on Saturday (April 8) when they take on the Cornhuskers at Ray Fisher Stadium. First pitch it slated for 2 p.m, and the game will be streamed live on B1G+.
