Michigan Defeats Creighton in Extras

Saturday, February 25

Santa Clara, Calif.

1:00 PM PT

Michigan

4-2

Creighton

1-4

Michigan

Creighton

2/25/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

Feb. 25, 2017

» Junior Jake Bivens scored the final run of the game on a wild pitch in the top of the tenth, during an intentional walk to junior Drew Lugbauer.
» Senior right-handed pitcher Jackson Lamb tossed a scoreless tenth inning to earn the win in the victory.
» The victory is Michigan's fourth of the season and second in extra innings

• Box Score

Site: Santa Clara, Calif. (Stephen Schott Stadium)
Score: Michigan 7, Creighton 6 (10 innings)
Records: U-M (4-2), CU (1-4)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Feb. 26 -- at Santa Clara (Santa Clara, Calif.), 3 p.m. PST

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- A wild pitch on an intentional walk in the top of the tenth inning was the defining play of the game on Saturday (Feb. 25), as the University of Michigan baseball team rallied for a 7-6 victory over the Creighton Bluejays in the Wolverines' second game of the Jack Gifford Memorial Tournament in Santa Clara, California.

The Wolverines are now 4-2 on the season and 2-0 in the tournament.

Michigan got on the board quickly in the Saturday afternoon contest, scoring a run in the top of the first for an early lead. Sophomore Ako Thomas led off for the Wolverines, taking first base on his third hit-by-pitch of the season. One out later, a double from sophomore Miles Lewis put two men on, and an RBI groundout from junior Drew Lugbauer scored Thomas.

After a scoreless second, Creighton tied the game in the bottom of the third on four hits, but a 1-3-4-2 pickoff ended the inning with a runner out at home, keeping the score tied.

The Wolverines broke things open in the top of the fourth, rallying for four runs on four hits. Sophomore Jonathan Engelmann led off the at-bat with a free base on a hit-by-pitch, taking second on a sacrifice bunt from senior Johnny Slater. Thomas then came up clutch with an RBI double down the left field line, and junior Jake Bivens followed suit with an opposite field RBI single. The following single from Lewis put runners on the corners for Michigan and a single from Lugbauer scored Bivens for a 4-1 lead. The Wolverines added another run on the next play, as Lewis advanced home on a sacrifice flyout from senior Harrison Wenson.

Wenson picked up an additional RBI in the top of the sixth inning, sending a double off the centerfield wall and scoring Lugbauer from first for a 6-1 lead.

Despite a five-run Michigan lead, Creighton rallied for two runs on three hits in the seventh to cut the deficit to three. The lead was cut short, however, as a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth tied the score and forced extra innings.

In the top of the tenth, Bivens got things started with a one-out walk, taking second on a failed pickoff attempt from the Creighton pitcher. He then took third base on a groundout from Lewis, giving Michigan speed on third with two outs. Lugbauer stepped to the plate for an intentional walk, but the final pitch of the at-bat sailed wide and Bivens scored for the defining run of the game.

The victory is Michigan's fourth of the season and second in extra innings.

Junior righty Ryan Nutof started on the mound for Michigan in the win, tossing six complete innings and allowing just one walk and five hits. He struck out four, surrendering just one run in the no-decision.

Relievers William Tribucher, Jack Bredeson, and Bryan Pall also appeared in a combined 2.2 innings, while Jackson Lamb tossed the end of the ninth and a scoreless tenth to earn the win.

Tweet of the Game

MICHIGAN WINS! The 10-inning affair ends with Michigan on top. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/F77KAqDEDX

-- Michigan Baseball (@umichbaseball) February 26, 2017

Michigan will return to action on Sunday (Feb. 26) when the Wolverines face host Santa Clara in the final game of the Jack Gifford Memorial Tournament. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. PST at Santa Clara University.

Communications Contact: Katie Gwinn Hewitt