Michigan Baseball Announces 2017 Schedule
11/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Nov. 10, 2016
• 2017 Michigan Baseball Schedule
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan baseball program and head coach Erik Bakich announced the 2017 schedule Thursday (Nov. 10). The Wolverines, who finished the 2016 season with an impressive 36-21 record, will host 29 games this year at the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium.
The Wolverines will open up the 2017 season Friday through Sunday, Feb. 17-19, with a four-game series against Seton Hall in Port St. Lucie, Florida, home of the New York Mets' spring training efforts. The series marks the second straight year that Michigan will open up its season at Tradition Field, as the Wolverines have played a series at the home of the Mets' High-A affiliate every season since 2007.
Michigan will then open up spring break in California on Friday, Feb. 24, and play games in Santa Clara, San Jose and Los Angeles. The Maize and Blue will begin the trip up north, facing off against St. Louis, Creighton, and Santa Clara in the Jack Gifford Tournament before playing San Jose State in a neutral-site match-up. Following four games in Northern California, the Wolverines will head south to face Loyola Marymount (March 1) before competing in the Dodgertown Classic against opponents UCLA, USC, and San Diego.
The next weekend will conclude a 15-game road series for Michigan, as the Wolverines head to Nashville, Tennessee, for a series against Lipscomb from March 10-12. The Bison finished last season with a winning record, including a 25-10 mark at home.
After more than one month on the road, Michigan will host its home opener at Fisher Stadium against Northern Illinois on Friday, March 17, with a noon start. The four-game series will continue Saturday with a doubleheader and wrap up with a single game Sunday, March 19.
After a midweek home game against Western Michigan on Wednesday, March 22, the Maize and Blue will jump into Big Ten Conference play at Maryland on March 24. The following week will feature two midweek games at home against Toledo (March 28) and Central Michigan (March 29). These two games mark the start of an 18-game homestand.
In addition to Big Ten series against Penn State, Illinois, Michigan State and Indiana, the next three weeks will also feature three midweek contests against Notre Dame (April 4), Bowling Green (April 5), Eastern Michigan (April 11) and a three-day series against Oklahoma (April 13-15).
A three-game series at Rutgers will close out April play and springboard into May action, where Michigan will host Ohio State and have a home and home series against Central Michigan (May 9-10).
After its final midweek game against Eastern Michigan and a conference series at Purdue, the Maize and Blue will close out regular-season play with a series against Michigan State.
The 2017 Big Ten Tournament will take place May 23-28. The location for the tournament has not yet been released.
KEY COMPETITION DATES
Fri-Sun., March 17-19 -- vs. Northern Illinois
After going 16-4 when playing at Ray Fisher Stadium last season, Michigan will kick off its 2017 home schedule with a four-game series against the Northern Illinois Huskies. The visitors boast a 2-0 all-time record over the Wolverines, so the series will be a good test after a long 23-day road trip. The home opener will start at 4 p.m. on Friday (March 17), followed by a doubleheader on Saturday and the series finale on Sunday.
Tuesday, April 4 -- vs. Notre Dame (Wilpon Complex)
After dropping a midweek contest at Notre Dame last season, Michigan will host the Fighting Irish in a midweek matchup in 2017. Traditionally, Michigan has had the upper hand against Notre Dame, leading the all-time series 88-47, but last year's meeting ended in a 9-5 loss for Michigan. Notre Dame finished with a .500 mark last season after making it to the NCAA Regionals in 2014 -- a season that featured a 10-inning Michigan victory in early March.
Fri-Sun., May 5-7 -- vs. Ohio State (Wilpon Complex)
Ohio State comes to Ann Arbor after finishing 44-20-1 and winning the Big Ten Tournament in 2016. Not only is this a rivalry game, but it is the chance for the Wolverines to make a statement against an opponent that advanced to the NCAA Regionals in 2016. Michigan played the Buckeyes five times last season, falling to them twice during the Big Ten Tournament in Omaha, Nebraska.
Thu-Sat., May 18-20 -- vs. Michigan State (Wilpon Complex, at MSU, Wilpon Complex)
Michigan will end its regular season with a three-game home-and-home series against in-state rival Michigan. State. Last season, the Wolverines defeated the Spartans just once -- in a 10-inning 4-3 walk-off thriller at Ray Fisher Stadium. The series will serve as an important one leading into the 2017 Big Ten Tournament, which begins just three days after the conclusion of the regular season. Michigan State finished last season with a 36-20 overall record, losing to eventual champion Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament.
Communications Contact: Katie Gwinn Hewitt
