For a majority of the season, the Michigan baseball team has struggled to find defensive consistency. While the Wolverines have had flashes of pitching talent, their wins can often be attributed to offensive firepower. But in Game 3 against Michigan State, Michigan’s bats were silent through eight innings and for the first time, it was the mound that bailed out the plate.
“It was a complete team effort across the board,” Wolverines assistant coach Jake Valentine said. “Good pitching, good defense and timely hitting. Obviously, rivalry weekend it was good to come out on top and play clean baseball.”
Just two pitchers split their time on the mound Sunday. Freshman right-hander Tate Carey and senior right-hander Will Rogers controlled the bump, with Carey leading the first five innings and Rogers closing out the final four. The matchup marked Carey’s third straight Sunday start as he has quickly developed into a dependable arm. On the other hand, Rogers is a familiar face, having pitched just five days prior in Michigan’s win over Bowling Green. While the two pitchers have drastically different tactics, their combined efforts proved just enough to secure the win for the Wolverines.
While Sunday was the first time Rogers pitched against the Spartans, he had been active in the bullpen throughout the series. Rogers was ready and waiting for his name to be called, and in the fifth inning with the series sweep on the line there, was no easier choice for Michigan.
“In the first two games there were some spots where we probably would’ve used (Rogers) in the past,” Valentine said. “ … But today he did exactly what we needed him to do, force contact and attack the zone.”
Rogers employed his traditional pitching to contact tactic throughout the matchup. With a dependable infield behind him, Rogers’ strategy worked as he ended his outing with only one strikeout but eight put-outs. The final batter Rogers faced illustrated this, as a pop up to right field was secured handily thanks to a diving grab from junior second baseman Mitch Voit. But from pitching to contact, comes contact. This manifested in the form of three solo homers in the last third of the competition.
Thanks to a solid start from Carey and a burst of offensive firepower in the first inning, these three runs surrendered by Rogers didn’t spell disaster for the Wolverines. By stark contrast from Rogers, Carey pounded the strike zone and didn’t give the Michigan State’s batters an inch of breathing room. Carey tactfully picked his spots against each batter, often catching them unaware of where his next pitch would strike. Of Carey’s seven strikeouts, six were swinging, exemplifying his ability to confuse opposing batters.
“(Carey’s) ability to work both sides of the plate with the fastball and the changeup really speeds up (opponents’) eyes,” Valentine said. “A lot of strikeouts were elevated fastballs, where their perceived velocity is more. When you’re overwhelmed with strikes it makes for a long day offensively, and (Carey) did a great job of doing that.”
Michigan’s offense has highlighted its explosive ability throughout the season, but on Sunday that was contained to the first inning. Without extended attacks, it was up to the pitchers to hold the lead and Carey and Rogers did just that. With two contrasting yet effective approaches, the duo on the mound held down the Wolverines’ win.
