Coming off of a contest described as complete dominance, the Michigan baseball team looked to repeat its previous success against Ohio State in Game 2. But in a return to form, the Wolverines floundered the lead early — mainly from the mound.
Michigan (29-17 overall, 13-10 Big Ten) took on the Buckeyes (11-32, 3-20) for the second time in the repeatedly rain-delayed series. But despite the early-game struggles, the Wolverines’ batters found their mark midgame, pushing Michigan to win, 11-4.
Following a solo home run in the third inning, junior right-hander David Lally Jr. struggled to command the zone. A few walks and easy singles later, Ohio State earned two more runs, putting them up, 3-0.
Then, after loading the bases with three walks in the fourth inning, Lally was subbed out for sophomore right-hander Dylan Vigue. He did his best to pitch out of a no out, bases-loaded situation, but the damage was already done. Even with quality pitching the Wolverines still gave up one more run before the end of the inning.
After getting only one hit and striking out four times in the first three innings alone, Michigan’s batters needed to find green grass to make up the deficit. Caruso led the charge, singling to right center to move up graduate first baseman Jeter Ybarra. A combination of singles and the capitalization on a misplaced throw from the shortstop later put the Wolverines right back in the ball game, 3-3.
Building off of this hot streak, leadoff graduate shortstop Benny Casillas roped a ball into right field — good for his 17th double of the year. The very next batter, freshman right fielder Brayden Jefferis doubled as well, bringing in Casillas to take the lead from the Buckeyes.
After this RBI from Jefferis, Michigan never gave up the lead again. A solo homer from freshman designated hitter Keegan O’Hearn and a pair of doubles from the top of the order in the sixth inning cemented the Wolverines lead, 9-4.
The dependability of Casillas, athleticism of Jefferis and firepower of O’Hearn have fueled the Wolverines before, and were not absent in today’s contest. This group accounted for seven of the Wolverines’ 11 runs and over 60% of Michigan’s total hits. While not the only factor in the Wolverines’ win today, this faction was the backbone that the rest of the team was able to build off of.
With two more runs coming in the eighth inning, the Wolverines ultimately took Game 2 home, 11-4. While this outcome may have seemed unlikely in the third inning, it was never far-fetched. A mid-game spark was all Michigan’s hitters needed to find their footing — and the win.
