Michigan Uses Four-Run Second to Take Down Nebraska

Saturday, April 8

Ann Arbor, Mich.

2:00 PM

Michigan

17-13, 6-2

Nebraska

17-10-1, 3-2

Nebraska

Michigan

Jake Marti, left, and Joey Velazquez (Michigan Photography)

4/8/2023 6:34:00 PM | Baseball

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By: Conor Stemme

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan baseball scored six runs over the first two innings, with four of them coming in a big second frame, to defeat Nebraska 8-6 on Saturday (April 8) at the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium. The win evened the three-game series with the Cornhuskers at one apiece.

Chase Allen took the ball for the Wolverines (17-13, 6-2 Big Ten) and struggled a bit early, giving up a pair of first-inning runs. He got some help from his offense, which tied the game in the bottom of the first. Like Nebraska, the first two batters reached with Cody Jefferis walking and Ted Burton being hit by a pitch. Joe Longo singled to center field to load the bases with one out before Joey Velazquez doubled to left. Jefferis and Burton scored on the double to tie the game at 2, but both Longo and Velazquez were left on base to end the first inning.

Nebraska (17-10-1, 3-2 Big Ten) tried to take back the lead in the second. After a one out single and two-out walk, the Cornhuskers loaded the bases on an error. The final batter of the inning grounded out to end the threat.

The Wolverines took the lead in their half of the second and did not look back. Jake Marti got the inning going with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Gabe Sotres. Jefferis drew another walk and Burton singled to plate Marti from second. Jonathan Kim hit his first career triple and both runners scored. Kim scored soon after on a wild pitch and Michigan led 6-2 after the second.

With the lead, Allen tossed a 1-2-3 third inning, and after two singles to start the fourth, he got three quick outs to end the inning.

The Cornhuskers started to rally with a solo home run in the fifth and an RBI single in the sixth, but the comeback was thwarted by Noah Rennard, who came in the game for Allen after 5.1 innings. Rennard allowed the RBI single, but got a strikeout and fly out to end the inning.

Michigan extended its lead back to three in the bottom of the sixth after Marti led the inning off with another single. He advanced to second on another bunt from Sotres and scored on a Jefferis single. Rennard came back out for the seventh and struck out the side to keep the score 7-4 after the top of the seventh.

The Wolverines added to their lead for the final time after Jack Van Remortel doubled with two outs and advanced to third on a single from Mitch Voit. Van Remortel scored when Marti singled to left field, and U-M led 8-4 heading to the eighth.

Rennard came out for the eighth but was pulled for Voit with runners on second and third and one out. Both inherited runners scored, but Voit ended the inning with a strikeout to leave the bases loaded.

Voit got the Cornhuskers to go 1-2-3 in the ninth inning as the Wolverines evened the series and improved to 6-2 in the Big Ten.

Allen earned the win and ran his record to 4-2, allowing three runs and striking out six over 5.1 innings, while Voit picked up his third save of the season. Marti collected three hits on the day and was one of three Wolverines, along with Jefferis and Burton, to score twice.

The Wolverines will fight for the series win against Nebraska in the rubber match at noon on Sunday (April 9) at Ray Fisher Stadium. The series finale will be streamed live on B1G+.