Michigan Falls in Extra Innings to Broncos in Season Opener

Friday, February 16

Phoenix, Ariz.

1:00 PM MT

Michigan

0-1

Western Michigan

1-0

Western Michigan

Michigan

Jonathan Kim (Michigan Photography)

Michigan Falls in Extra Innings to Broncos in Season Opener

2/16/2024 8:34:00 PM | Baseball

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By: Conor Stemme

» Michigan fell to Western Michigan after an 11-inning, hitters battle that saw a combined 27 runs and 28 hits.
» Jonathan Kim had four hits to lead the team. He added two walks, two runs and three RBIs.
» Five Wolverines had two runs -- with seven total registering two or more hits.
» Eight freshmen made their collegiate debuts in the game and were joined by six transfers who made their Michigan debuts.

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- The University of Michigan baseball team dropped its season opener in a tough 11-inning battle to Western Michigan, 14-13, at Camelback Ranch-Glendale on Friday afternoon (Feb. 16).

Dylan Vigue earned the nod and made his collegiate debut on the mound and allowed one run on two hits in the first inning. He was helped out by the infield as three groundouts ended the inning. The Wolverines responded immediately with a leadoff double from Stephen Hrustich. Mack Timbrook singled up the middle on the next pitch which allowed Hrustich to score and tied the game at one. The Broncos took the lead again in the top of the second before a scoreless third.

In the fourth inning, Will Rogers reached scoring position after he was hit by a pitch and stole a base with one out. After a groundout by Dylan Stanton, Rogers advanced to third and scored on an RBI single from Cole Caruso. Greg Pace Jr. reached on an error with two outs which allowed Caruso to score and gave Michigan its first lead of the game.

The Broncos responded with a run in the fifth inning before a three-run bottom of the fifth for the Wolverines opened the floodgates. Mitch Voit doubled with one out and scored on a double from Jonathan Kim. Kim scored on a wild pitch after Rogers flew out to center which allowed Kim to advance. Caruso added his second RBI single of the game which allowed AJ Garcia to score.

The runs continued to come as the Broncos added five in the top of the sixth with three coming on a bases-clearing double that gave WMU an 8-6 lead. U-M retook the lead with a three-run bottom half. Pace Jr. homered to center field to lead off the inning. Kim soon followed and hit a two-run home run with Mack Timbrook scoring after he reached on a walk. With the two home runs, U-M led 9-8 after six innings of play.

In the bottom of the seventh, Caruso scored on a fielder's choice to give U-M a two-run lead. WMU tied the game up in the top of the eighth with a home run. Michigan could not retake the lead in nine innings so the teams went to extra innings.

Western Michigan struck first in extra innings with an RBI double in the top of the 10th. A double play ended the inning after the WMU runner left second base early. For the Maize and Blue, Hrustich drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second after Timbrook reached on an error. Voit laid down a bunt which allowed the runners to advance before the Broncos loaded the bases and chose to walk Kim. With the bases loaded and two outs, freshman Bradley Navarro drew a walk in his first collegiate at-bat which scored Hrustich and tied the game at 11. A strikeout ended the inning for the Wolverines as the bases were left loaded.

U-M could not use the momentum on the mound as the Broncos added three runs on three hits. Brandon Mann limited the damage after he struck out the final two batters of the innings which stranded two more Broncos. Michigan tried to mount a comeback with a one-out single from Pace Jr. and a two-out single from Timbrook. Voit reached on an error after the Broncos' right fielder failed to catch the ball, and Pace and Timbrook scored. Michigan trailed, 14-13, with two outs as Kim drew his second intentional walk of the day. Joe Longo was brought in to pinch hit but was unable to convert the chance as Michigan fell, 14-13.

Michigan will return to Camelback Ranch-Glendale on Saturday (Feb. 17) for a doubleheader against Western Michigan. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. MT.