Michigan
19-6
Central Michigan
10-14
No. 22 Michigan Stays Hot with Win over CMU
3/29/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 29, 2017
» All nine Michigan starters reached base at least once in the victory.
» Drew Lugbauer had three RBI on the day, including a two-run shot that cleared the Indoor Track Building in right field.
» Ako Thomas reached base for the 25th consecutive game, recording a single and a walk.
» Michigan improved to 8-0 on the season when leading after the first inning.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Complex)
Score: #22 Michigan 13, Central Michigan 4
Records: U-M (19-6), Central Michigan (10-14)
Next U-M Event: Friday, March 31 -- vs. Penn State (Wilpon Complex), 4 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Every starter reached base and three recorded multi-hit outings as the No. 22-ranked University of Michigan baseball team defeated Central Michigan by a score of 13-4 on Wednesday (March 29) in a non-conference game at the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium.
The victory is Michigan's 18th non-conference win and gives the Wolverines their third straight win.
After a five-pitch inning in the top of the first by junior starting pitcher Alec Rennard, the Wolverines got on the board in the first inning for the third time in their last four games. A leadoff walk by sophomore Ako Thomas got Michigan going, and Thomas soon advanced to second on a groundout. One out later, Thomas scored on a single to centerfield by junior Drew Lugbauer to give the Wolverines a 1-0 lead.
Following another scoreless frame for Central Michigan, the Maize and Blue added to the lead in the bottom of the second. With one out in the inning, senior Harrison Wenson got things started with a free base on a hit-by-pitch, and singles from sophomore Jonathan Engelmann and Thomas loaded up the bases for senior Johnny Slater. After a passed ball allowed Wenson to score from third, Slater hit a two-run triple into right center, scoring both Engelmann and Thomas to put the Wolverines up 4-0. Slater later scored on an error to extend the Michigan lead to five.
The Wolverines tacked on another run in the bottom of the fifth after two scoreless innings. Sophomore Miles Lewis sent a base hit into right to get the rally going, and another single from junior Jake Bivens along with a walk to sophomore Nick Poirier loaded up the bases with two outs. A fielding error by Central Michigan then allowed the Wolverines to extend their lead to six.
After five scoreless frames, Central Michigan got on the board in the top of the sixth, scoring one run on two singles, but the Wolverines responded with a monstrous seventh inning. In total, Michigan recorded seven runs on six hits in the frame, highlighted by a two-run moonshot by Lugbauer that hit the top of the Indoor Track Building in right field.
The Chippewas answered with a rally of their own in the top of the eighth. Despite putting up three runs on two hits, Central Michigan was unable to put any real pressure on the Wolverines, as they still held a comfortable 13-4 lead after recording the third out of the inning. Michigan closed out the game with a scoreless ninth to pick up its third straight victory.
Backed by a solid offensive showing, Rennard had another impressive pitching performance on Wednesday, throwing four shutout innings while surrendering just three hits and striking out three. Rennard, who has only given up two walks all season, did not walk a single batter in the effort.
Following Rennard's departure, sophomore William Tribucher, sophomore Troy Miller, senior Mac Lozer, junior Austin Batka and freshman Jack Weisenburger all appeared in relief for the Wolverines, combining to allow just two earned runs on five total hits.
Overall, Michigan tallied 15 hits on the day, with Lugbauer, Lewis and Bivens all recording multi-hit outings. All nine starters for the team reached base at least one time in the effort. The Wolverines improved to 8-0 when leading after the first inning and are now 19-6 overall on the season.
Tweet of the Day 
LUG BOMB!
Lugbauer SMASHES the ball over the track building in right field. We've got a 13-1 lead! pic.twitter.com/d9Vb1fHfaw-- Michigan Baseball (@umichbaseball) March 29, 2017
The No. 22-ranked Wolverines will get back in action on Friday (March 31) when they host Penn State in Michigan's Big Ten Conference home opener. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. at the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium.
Communications Contact: Katie Gwinn Hewitt
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Rennard, Alec (4-1)
L: KOHN,ZACH (0-3)
Batting:
2B: GREENMAN,ROBERT 1
RBI: JIPPING,DANIEL 1 ; GILLES,ZACH 1 ; COLE, DAZ 1 ; GREENMAN,ROBERT 1
SH: CLEVELAND,BLAKE 1
SF: COLE, DAZ 1
Base Running:
RUNS: ROBINSON,DANIEL 1 ; JIPPING,DANIEL 1 ; KRATT,EVAN 1 ; GILLES,ZACH 1
CS: COLE, DAZ 1
HBP: COLE,DAVID 1
PO: GILLES,ZACH 1
Batting:
2B: Engelmann, Jonathan 1
3B: Slater, Johnny 1
HR: Lugbauer, Drew 1
RBI: Thomas, Ako 1 ; Slater, Johnny 3 ; Brdar, Michael 3 ; Lugbauer, Drew 3 ; Engelmann, Jonathan 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Thomas, Ako 2 ; Slater, Johnny 2 ; Brdar, Michael 1 ; Lugbauer, Drew 1 ; Lewis, Miles 1 ; Bivens, Jake 1 ; Poirier, Nick 1 ; Wenson, Harrison 2 ; Engelmann, Jonathan 2
SB: Thomas, Ako 1 ; Bivens, Jake 1 ; Poirier, Nick 1
CS: Lugbauer, Drew 1
HBP: Wenson, Harrison 2
PO: Lugbauer, Drew 1
