Wolverines Fall to Oklahoma State in Spring Break Opener

Friday, February 23

Arlington, Texas

3:00 PM CT

Michigan

2-3

Oklahoma State

3-2

Michigan

Oklahoma State

Mack Timbrook (Michigan Photography)

Wolverines Fall to Oklahoma State in Spring Break Opener

2/23/2024 8:11:00 PM | Baseball

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By: Conor Stemme

» Michigan dropped the opening game of the Kubota College Baseball Series, 9-3, to Oklahoma State.
» Mitch Voit started on the mound for U-M and tallied two hits on the day as well.
» Mack Timbrook scored two of the Wolverines' three runs.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The University of Michigan baseball team fell to Oklahoma State in the opening game of the Kubota College Baseball Series on Friday afternoon (Feb. 23), dropping a 9-3 decision in its spring break opener.

Michigan (2-3) was led by Mitch Voit, who pitched five strong innings and allowed just two earned runs while he struck out three. From the batter's box, Voit went 2-for-4 with a double. After Voit left the mound, Michigan used six different relief pitchers who combined to give up five runs. Only three other Wolverines tallied hits on the day,, and Mack Timbrook led U-M with two runs after scoring on a single and a hit by pitch.

Oklahoma State (3-2) was contained early with two runs over the first five innings before a big sixth inning gave the Cowboys a 7-1 lead that Michigan was unable to come back from.

U-M reached base in the first inning with a two-out single from Voit but could not convert. On the mound in the first inning, Voit faced the minimum three batters after a 4-6-3 double play ended the inning. The Wolverines threatened in the second inning with the bases loaded with one out. An error, a hit by pitch and a walk loaded the bases, but once again could not convert as the next two batters were struck out to end the inning.

Oklahoma State (3-2) scored first in the bottom of the second after a leadoff single before the next batter hit a home run. OSU then hit a double, but Voit retired the next three batters in the inning to strand one. Both teams were scoreless for the third and fourth innings with only one baserunner between both teams. Greg Pace Jr. prevented a baserunner with a great diving catch to keep the leadoff batter off base in the fourth.

Michigan got on the scoreboard in the fifth with a leadoff single from Timbrook. Pace laid down a sacrifice bunt that allowed Timbrook to advance to second, and Stephen Hrustich followed with a double which scored Timbrook and cut Oklahoma State's lead to 2-1. In the bottom of the fifth, Voit struck out the leadoff batter before a single and two flyouts ended the inning.

U-M was scoreless in the top of the sixth before the Cowboys' offense exploded in the bottom of the inning, as OSU plated five runs on three hits and two errors. Voit began the inning on the mound, but U-M used four total pitchers in the frame. Brandon Mann finished the inning with a strikeout and stranded two runners to prevent any further damage.

Michigan responded in the top of the seventh and scored two, cutting the Oklahoma State's lead to 7-3. Collin Priest earned a leadoff walk and advanced after Timbrook was hit by a pitch. Bradley Navarro came into pinch hit and earned his first career hit with a single down the right field line which scored Priest from second. Cooper Mullens then pinch hit with one out and scored Timbrook with a sacrifice fly. Navarro was called out on the play, which ended the inning. OSU got the two runs back on two sacrifice flies in the bottom of the seventh inning to go up, 9-3.

Voit doubled to lead off the eighth inning and Jonathan Kim also reached base with no outs on a walk. Michigan once again could not convert as a double play and strikeout ended the inning.

Sachem Ramos took the mound for the Wolverines in the bottom of the eighth and tossed a 1-2-3 inning in his Michigan debut, which included his first career strikeout.

U-M went down in order in the ninth, solidifying the 9-3 loss.

The Wolverines will return to Globe Life Field for the second day of the Kubota College Baseball Series on Saturday (Feb. 24) at 3:00 p.m. CT against No. 7-ranked Oregon State. The game will be streamed live on FloSports.