Michigan Baseball National Champion Teams
The University of Michigan baseball team has made seven trips to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, with the 1953 team coached by Ray Fisher, and the 1962 team coached by Don Lund collecting NCAA championships. Moby Benedict led the Wolverines to a fifth-place finish in 1978, and Bud Middaugh's Wolverines placed fifth in 1980, seventh in 1981, third in 1983 and seventh in 1984. Erik Bakich led the Maize & Blue to a runner-up finish in 2019.
1953 | National Champions
Front Row (from left): Bruce Haynam, Frank Howell, head coach Ray Fisher, Captain William Mogk, Gerald Harrington, Gil Sabuco, Bill Billings. Middle Row: Jack Ritter, Richard Leach, Garabed Tadian, Paul Fancher, Robert Woschitz, Jack Corbett, Richard Yirkosky, Bob Margolin (manager). Back Row: Dan Cline, Don Eaddy, Marvin Wisniewski, Ray Pavichevich, Paul Lepley
» Pitching was the key factor for the success of the Wolverines in the 1953 College World Series as coach Ray Fisher did not need to call on the bullpen in the first three games. Marvin Wisniewski, Jack Corbett and Jack Ritter hurled complete games to give Michigan a 3-0 mark.
» Following a loss to Texas, Wisniewski started the final game of the series and Ritter collected a save, getting the final two outs with the bases loaded in a 7-5 win over Texas.
» Danny Cline's bases loaded single off the wall provided the winning margin in the eighth inning despite the fact that Michigan had three players on second base during that winning hit. The pro scouts named shortstop Bruce Haynam as Michigan's outstanding player.
1962 | National Champions
Front Row (from left): Dennis Stalla, Dick Honig, John Kerr, head coach Don Lund, Joe Merullo, Wayne Slusher, Dave Roebuck. Middle Row: Bruce Kropschot (manager), Dick Post, Joe Jones, Ron Tate, Jim Newman, Assistant Coach Milbry Benedict. Back Row: Jim Steckley, Jim Bobel, Ross Lauterbach, Bob Dunston, Dave Campbell, Fritz Fisher, Harvey Chapman.
» One of the highlights of the 1962 season came before Michigan reached the College World Series during regional action in Kalamazoo, Mich. Lefty senior John Kerr pitched 19 innings the same day as Michigan -- an at-large selection in the regional -- knocked off Big Ten champ Illinois, 5-1, and Mid-American champion Western Michigan, 3-2, in 10 innings.
» Once in College World Series action, Jim Bobel became a factor winning two games in relief after injuries kept him out of action most of the season. Bobel collected the win in Michigan's 15-inning championship victory over Santa Clara. In fact, Bobel drove in a run in the 15th with a triple and scored the winner as Michigan topped Santa Clara's ace Bob Garibaldi.
» A highlight in the series opener was a 3-1 win over Texas in which Dick Honig and Ron Tate combined on a two-out hit-and-run play which became easy runs when Tate's drive to right turned out to be a homer.
In the College World Series
» Moby Benedict's 1978 squad jumped off to a great start as sophomore Steve Howe beat Baylor, 4-0, on a one-hitter. North Carolina defeated Michigan, 7-6, in the third game of the series.
» Bud Middaugh's first Michigan team swept through regional play and met California in the opener of the College World Series. U-M was eliminated by Arizona in the third game of the series.
» Michigan's stay in the 1981 College World Series lasted just two games. U-M was eliminated by Texas, 6-5, in a game the Wolverines led 5-2 before a 45-minute rain delay changed the momentum.
» The Wolverines placed third, tying with Arizona State by dividing four games. Texas eliminated the Maize & Blue again before clinching the title.
» The Wolverines placed in a tie for seventh, losing two games. In the opener, eventual champion Cal State Fullerton beat Michigan, 8-4, and then New Orleans beat Michigan, 11-3.
» Michigan went 3-0 through with two victories over Texas Tech and a win over Florida State before eventually falling to Vanderbilt in a winner-take-all game three final.
