Big Third Inning Propels Michigan Past Illinois in Big Ten Tournament

Wednesday, May 24

Omaha, Neb.

7:00 PM CT

Michigan

27-27

Illinois

25-27

Illinois

Michigan

Jack Van Remortel (Mark Kuhlmann/Big Ten Conference)

Big Third Inning Propels Michigan Past Illinois in Big Ten Tournament

5/24/2023 11:59:00 PM | Baseball

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By: Conor Stemme

OMAHA, Neb. -- A five-run third inning and 3.2 shutdown innings of relief from Jacob Denner led the University of Michigan baseball team to a 6-3 win over Illinois on Friday night (May 24) in an elimination game at the Big Ten Tournament at Charles Schwab Field.

The Wolverines (27-27) had early chances, but were unable to get on the scoreboard. U-M loaded the bases with one out in the first, but a double play ended the inning. In the second, Michigan put the first two batters on base but a pair of strikeouts and a pop out kept the game scoreless.

The Wolverines broke the game open in the third inning with a five-run frame, started with a single from Tito Flores. Ted Burton followed with a triple to center field to score Flores. After a strikeout, Jonathan Kim was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners with one out. Jack Van Remortel cleared the bases with a three-run home run to right-center to put U-M up 4-0. The homer chased the Illinois starter, and Mitch Voit tripled to right on the first pitch he saw, and he scored on a Cody Jefferis single to make the score 5-0.

Noah Rennard was dealing through five innings allowing just four Illinois baserunner while striking out six Illini batters along the way.

Illinois made it a game in the top of the sixth inning with five singles that scored three runs. Denner gave up four of those singles and induced a groundout before Rennard took to the mound in relief. He allowed a single to the first batter, but then retired the next two and U-M led 5-3 after six innings.

Jefferis gave Michigan an insurance run with a solo homer -- his second of the year -- off the foul pole with one out in the eighth to push the lead to 6-3.

Denner was lights out the rest of the way. He allowed just two hits and retired the final eight batters he faced, and 11 of the last 12, to earn his second save of the season. Rennard (7-4) picked up his seventh win of the season, after allowing three runs on six hits with six strikeouts against one walk.

The Wolverines will have a day off before playing its next game on Friday (May 26) at 2 p.m. CDT. Michigan will face off against either Iowa or Indiana at Charles Schwab Field. The game will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network.