Denner's Complete Game, Velazquez Homer Propel U-M to Win Over Gophers

Sunday, May 7

Minneapolis, Minn.

1:00 PM CT

Michigan

23-22, 0

Minnesota

14-31, 0

Michigan

Minnesota

Jacob Denner (Michigan Photography)

Denner's Complete Game, Velazquez Homer Propel U-M to Win Over Gophers

5/7/2023 5:37:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Conor Stemme

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The University of Michigan baseball team defeated Minnesota, 4-1, in the series finale behind a complete game from Jacob Denner and an offensive output that put four runs across the plate in the first two innings at Siebert Field on Sunday (May 7).

Michigan (23-22, 10-8 Big Ten) got out to a fast start with a three-run first inning. Cody Jefferis led off the game with a single up the middle on the first pitch of the afternoon. Ted Burton was hit by a pitch, before the Wolverines got two outs. Joey Velazquez worked his way into a hitter's count and smashed a ball to right center for a three-run home run. Michigan added another run in the second with two outs. Jack Van Remortel singled up the middle with one out and advanced to third on a groundout. Jefferis singled to right field which scored Van Remortel.

Denner was on another level against Minnesota (14-31, 7-11 Big Ten), allowing just one hit through three innings. The Gophers' leadoff batter singled, but three straight outs including a strikeout stranded the runner. Denner faced the minimum six batters in the next two innings after a double play in the third ended the inning.

After the strong start on offense, the Wolverines struggled with just two baserunners on a walk and a single until the seventh inning. Denner allowed another hit in the fourth but retired the other three batters in the inning. In the fifth, the Gophers got their first runner past first base with a one-out double, but the runner was left stranded after two strikeouts ended the inning. Minnesota added another hit in the sixth inning, but Denner once again retired the other three batters in the inning.

The Maize and Blue got a chance to add to its lead in the seventh. Van Remortel singled up the middle and Gabe Sotres drew a walk with no outs in the inning. Jefferis reached on a fielder's choice with Sotres getting out on the play. Michigan could not convert the chance and left runners on the corners after a strikeout and groundout to end the inning.

Minnesota scored its first run of the afternoon in the bottom of the seventh. Denner retired the first two batters and added his seventh strikeout of the day before issuing his second walk of the day. The Gophers then hit a pinch-hit triple to right center to score the runner. A flyout ended the inning which stranded the runner on third.

Jimmy Obertop drew a leadoff walk in the eighth and Camden Gasser pinch ran, making it to third base on his first career stolen base and a groundout. Gasser was left on base after another groundout ended the inning. Denner returned to the mound and fired another 1-2-3 inning.

The Wolverines got one last chance to add to their lead with a one-out triple from Sotres, but he could not come around to score. It did not matter as Denner went three up, three down to end the game.

Denner pitched the first complete game of his career beating his previous high of 6.2 innings. His seven strikeouts also matched his career high. Denner allowed just five hits and two walks on the way to his first victory of the season.

Michigan will return home for a three-game series against Northwestern, starting on Friday (May 12) at 6 p.m. at the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium.