No. 17 Michigan Drops Both Games of Twinbill to Minnesota

Friday, April 8

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Noon

Michigan

21-7, 3-1

Minnesota

17-10, 3-1

Minnesota

Michigan

No. 17 Michigan Drops Both Games of Twinbill to Minnesota

4/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

April 8, 2016

Baseball

» Michael Brdar reached base five times in the two games, with two walks and two doubles.
» Ako Thomas recorded a season-high three hits in the first game of the day.
» The losses snap a six-game home win streak for Michigan.

• Game 1: Boxscore | Photo Gallery
• Game 2: Boxscore | Event Replay

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Complex)
Score: Minnesota 8, #17 Michigan 1; Minnesota 5, #17 Michigan 3
Records: U-M (21-8, 3-2 Big Ten), MINN (18-10, 3-2 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, April 10 -- vs. Minnesota (Wilpon Complex), 1 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 17-ranked University of Michigan baseball team dropped both games of a Big Ten Conference doubleheader -- 8-1 and 5-3 -- to the visiting Minnesota Golden Gophers on Friday (April 8) at the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium. The losses snapped a 6-0 home win streak for Michigan.

After a scoreless first inning in game one, Minnesota was the first team to get some offense going. The Golden Gophers took advantage of two walks, a sacrifice bunt and three consecutive singles in the top of the second inning, forcing a 2-0 lead.

Trailing by two, Michigan scored in the bottom of the third inning to come within one. Junior Carmen Benedetti led off the inning with a one-out walk, and one out later a single from senior Cody Bruder put runners on the corners. Bruder then sacrificed himself in a rundown between first and second base, allowing Benedetti to score before Bruder was tagged out.

Minnesota scored three runs in both the seventh and ninth innings, taking an 8-1 lead. Michigan threatened late, loading the bases in the ninth inning but failed to score. The loss snapped a perfect six-game home win streak to begin the year for Michigan.

The second game of the day featured much less offense than the first, as neither team scored through the first five innings. In the bottom half of the fifth, however, Michigan mounted its first real threat of the game. Junior Michael Brdar started off the at-bat with a walk, taking second on the following sacrifice bunt from junior Johnny Slater. Michigan added another base runner when sophomore Jake Bivens reached on a fielder's choice; ultimately, Michigan was unable to score.

The visiting Golden Gophers again scored first in the second game of the doubleheader, putting up one run in the top of the sixth on two hits.

Before the Wolverines could respond, Minnesota added four more runs in the top of the seventh inning on two walks, two singles and a wild pitch. The rally brought Minnesota's lead to 5-0.

Michigan rallied for three runs in the bottom of the same inning, cutting the deficit to two. Sophomore Drew Lugbauer led off the inning with a walk, advancing to third on the following double from Brdar. With runners on the corners, Slater sent an RBI single through the left side for the Wolverines' first run in 12 consecutive scoreless innings. With a run on the board and runners on the corners, freshman Ako Thomas walked to load the bases, and a hit-by-pitch to Bivens scored another run. A fielders' choice followed, scoring Slater but ended the scoring run for Michigan.

The game was delayed for roughly 20 minutes in the top of the eighth inning due to inclement weather in the area. In the bottom of the eighth, Michigan put two men on with one out, but a failed sacrifice squeeze ended the inning on a double play.

The 5-3 score in favor of Minnesota remained through ninth inning, as the Wolverines fell in the second game of the doubleheader.

Sophomore Oliver Jaskie took the mound in the first game of the day, tossing 4.1 innings and giving up just two runs on six hits. From there, freshman William Tribucher, junior Mac Lozer and sophomore Jayce Vancena closed out the game, allowing six runs on six hits and four walks.

Junior Brett Adcock got the start in game two, throwing five complete innings and allowing just three hits. He left the game with a 0-0 score, striking out three for a no-decision. Benedetti then took the mound, giving up the Gophers' first run on two hits. Sophomore Bryan Pall, freshman Troy Miller and senior Evan Hill then closed out the game, allowing four runs on five hits. Hill, who normally appears as a starting pitcher for Michigan, retired all six outs with a strikeout in the outing.

In total, Michigan used nine pitchers on the day, with Jaskie (5-2) taking the loss in game one and Benedetti (0-1) earning the loss in game two.

No. 17 Michigan and Minnesota will monitor the weather for the next two days until weather allows for playable conditions. Stay tuned for updates on the game date and time for the series finale.

Communications Contact: Katie Gwinn Hewitt