The Michigan baseball team embodied the gray skies cast over the field. With low energy encapsulating early innings, the Wolverines struggled to find lightning. And then, in the eighth inning, the lights came on.
Even with an initial stagnation at the plate, Michigan (21-21 overall) ran away with the game to earn the win against Long Beach State (20-18), 14-7.
After the first two scoreless innings, the Wolverines put their first runner on base when graduate second baseman Mack Timbrook nailed the ball down the first base line. Following behind, Michigan reaped the benefits of shaky Dirtbag pitching from a walk and hit batter. Graduate shortstop Kyle Dernedde snuck home on a wild pitch for the Wolverines’ first run of the day. And Long Beach State, once again, clipped a batter to force a run home, giving Michigan the quick lead, 2-0.
Even with the Wolverines getting on the scoreboard first, the Dirtbags didn’t let the lead last for long.
Long Beach State retaliated quickly with a solo home run and two RBIs in the fourth inning to jump Michigan and take a 3-2 advantage.
The Wolverines fought to get out of their hitting slump in the seventh inning when they saw light in the form of junior designated hitter Joe Longo. His hit thundered over the left-center field wall for a two RBIs home run to push the score to 4-3.
“Joe got the big one to give us the lead,” Michigan coach Tracy Smith said. “He put a spark in us and he was really good.”
With only one run separating the game from a win and loss, the Wolverines’ pitching fell short. Michigan fought for contact at the plate, but production from the mound was doing little to help.
Junior right-hander Ricky Kidd ended his stint with another solo home run for Long Beach State. Fifth-year left-hander Jacob Denner took his turn on the bump, and he left the inning with two runs under his belt. The Dirtbags started with a single and left with control of the game at 7-4.
Smith looked to the dugout to find a glimmer of light, and with that came a carousel of players. Every available Wolverine position player saw time on the field, with some taking their chance and illuminating.
Freshman pinch hitter Bradley Navarro’s hit earned him two RBIs that jump-started the contagious hitting of what became a 10-run inning. When junior third baseman Cole Caruso stepped to the plate, he delivered his third grand slam of the season over the right-field wall, pushing the score to 13-7, which was only followed by one more run in the game.
“Our team this year has been all hands on deck,” Longo said. “You have to be prepared for when your name is called. Whenever it may be, you have to be ready to go.”
And as the entire lineup’s name was called to play, the Wolverines didn’t hesitate to take their swings. Some were productive and others lacking, but in the end, Smith’s preaching of preparation was the winning factor.
Michigan’s doubtful start turned into a dominating finish. With all hands on deck from the dugout in the final innings of the game, what was once gray became victory maize.