No. 16 Wolverines Take First of Two Games with CMU

Tuesday, May 9

Ann Arbor, Mich.

6:00 PM

Michigan

36-11

Central Michigan

25-22

Central Michigan

Michigan

5/9/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

May 9, 2017

» Drew Lugbauer had a team-high three hits in the effort with one RBI and one run.
» Starting pitcher Ryan Nutof improved to 5-2 on the season in the win.
» With the victory, the Wolverines improved to 4-0 this season against in-state foes.

• Box Score

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Complex)
Score: #16 Michigan 4 Central Michigan 2
Records: U-M (36-11), CMU (25-22)
Next U-M Event: Wednesday, May 10 -- at Central Michigan (Mount Pleasant, Mich.), 4:05 p.m.

• Kornacki Postgame Feature: Potential Becomes Reality for Five-Tool Wolverine Slater

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Backed by timely hitting by junior Drew Lugbauer and sophomore Jimmy Kerr, the No. 16-ranked University of Michigan baseball team overcame an early one-run deficit to take down Central Michigan on Tuesday (May 9) by a 4-2 score at the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium.

Following two scoreless innings, Central Michigan took an early one-run lead in the third inning. A hit batter gave the Chippewas a runner on base with two outs, and a single put runners on the corners. A failed pickoff attempt at first base then allowed Central Michigan to score one unearned run for a 1-0 lead.

Michigan responded in the fourth with a three-run effort to take the lead. Senior Johnny Slater led off the inning with a double to right-center field, and a strategic groundout by senior Michael Brdar allowed Slater to advance to third. With a man on third and just one out, Lugbauer roped a single to center field for the RBI, tying the game. Sophomore Miles Lewis followed with a walk to put two men on base, and a groundout by sophomore Nick Poirier pushed both Lewis and Lugbauer into scoring position. Kerr then sent a two-out single to center field for two RBI and a 3-1 Michigan lead.

After two scoreless innings, the Maize and Blue added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh to make it a three-run game. Sophomore Jonathan Engelmann got things started with a one-out walk, and advanced to second on a groundout by senior Harrison Wenson. Junior Jake Bivens was then walked and went on to steal second, ultimately making it to third on a catcher's throwing error as Engelmann made it home safely for a 4-1 lead.

The Chippewas tried to stage a comeback in the top of the eighth but came up short, only scoring one run as senior reliever Jackson Lamb worked his way out of a bases-loaded jam.

Junior starter Ryan Nutof improved to 5-2 on the season in the win, pitching five complete innings and sacrificing just one run on five hits.

Senior righty Mac Lozer took the mound in relief in the top of the sixth with a man on base and recorded a double-play ball and a lineout to get out of the inning quickly. Freshman lefty Tommy Henry also appeared for the Wolverine bullpen, tossing 1.1 innings with two strikeouts before being replaced by Lamb in the eighth.

Of Michigan's five hits in the effort, Lugbauer recorded a team-leading three singles. Kerr led the Wolverines with two RBI on one hit, and Slater tallied Michigan's lone extra-base hit with a double in the fourth.

Tweet of the Day

It wasn't pretty, but the boys got it done!

We'll be back in action at CMU tomorrow in Mount Pleasant. First pitch at 4pm. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/DXd5zHJRIw

-- Michigan Baseball (@umichbaseball) May 10, 2017

The Wolverines return to action on Wednesday (May 10) as they travel to Mount Pleasant, Michigan, to take on Central Michigan in the second game of the home-and-home series. The contest will serve as the final non-conference road matchup of the regular season for the Maize and Blue. First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m. at Theunissen Stadium.

Communications Contact: Katie Gwinn Hewitt