In its final game of the regular season, the Michigan baseball team sent its seniors off with a high-scoring victory. In Saturday’s win over Indiana, the Wolverines trotted out a new lineup. Penciling in senior infielder Joe Longo as the designated hitter as well as graduate outfielders AJ Rausch and Robbie Hamchuk in the order, Michigan found production in its experienced hitters.
Recently, freshmen have contributed meaningful at-bats and added production when needed. While this means that some older players have had fewer plate appearances, the Wolverines’ elder batsmen still contributed early runs for a lead and late runs for insurance, solidifying the offensive output needed to secure a win.
“We talk about ‘prepare to play, don’t wait to play,’ ” Michigan coach Tracy Smith said. “And even if you’re not playing a lot, which these guys haven’t a lot lately, you’re still putting in the work and preparing. So it’s nice to see some positive results with that.”
With five of the first six Michigan batters in the lineup being graduates or seniors, it was relying on that experience to drive the output from the top of the order. And in the first inning, singles from graduate shortstop Benny Casillas and Rausch set the table for junior second baseman Mitch Voit to single Casillas home. Later in the inning, senior third baseman Cole Caruso sent Rausch home to claim an early 2-0 lead. This became a pattern in the game as the seniors set the table and knocked runs home in the offensive showcase.
Pressing on, even with a lead, Michigan added more runs in the second inning. As graduate catcher Matt Spear and freshman left fielder Tyler Inge traded singles, Casillas stepped into the box for his second at-bat of the game. Launching an inside fastball over the left-field wall, Casillas admired his blast, gazing at his hit as he shuffled down the first base line before launching his bat back toward the home dugout in a triumphant bat flip.
“It was senior day so it was probably my last (home run) in Ann Arbor,” Casillas said with a smile. “So I put a little extra seasoning on it.”
While the Wolverines added runs early, the ever-hungry Hoosiers offense attempted to claw back as the innings went on. With the five-run lead having dwindled to just two, Rausch dropped in his third base hit of the game, kickstarting Michigan’s second offense surge of the game. His single started a rally that bounced the Indiana reliever and culminated in the addition of two more runs.
Prior to Sunday’s matchup, Rausch hadn’t recorded a hit in almost two months. But his three singles and two runs scored were essential in the two-hole to kickstart an offense that had been sputtering in recent games.
“I wasn’t pressing too much,” Rausch said. “I haven’t been in the lineup in a while so my biggest thing was to go out and have fun.”
While Rausch peddled humility, Casillas described Rausch’s performance more bluntly.
“Dog,” Casillas said.
While Casillas and Rausch served their roles at the top of the lineup, fresh faces in the middle of the order were integral as well. Longo stayed busy on the day by going two-for-three and Hamchuk pitched in a diving catch along with scoring the game’s final run as the pair rounded out solid performances in their last game at Ray Fisher Stadium.
For an offense that has been uncharacteristically quiet in its last two conference series, it could be argued that it was simply due for a break out. But slump-busting games don’t come by chance, they come through preparation. And in Saturday’s win, the seniors’ preparation and steadfastness propelled the team to eight runs and a victory.
