Sunday, June 03, 2007

Michigan Surprises Vandy, Gophers Send USD Packing

A pair of victories by Big Ten programs have sent two national seeds to defeat. Michigan dropped top ranked, and national number one seed, Vanderbilt, 4-3, very early Sunday morning. Kevin Cislo got a run scoring infield single in the top of the ninth to move the Wolverines into the Regional Championship series. Cislo's RBI came in the wee hours of Sunday morning as Michigan's game against #1 Vanderbilt got pushed back several hours by rain.

Nate Recknagel put Michigan up 3-1 with a three run double in the sixth. Vandy's Matt Meingasner tied it at 3-3 with a two-run homer in the eighth. Michigan answered right back in the top of the ninth. Adam Abraham singled to lead off the inning. Doug Pickens' sacrifice bunt advanced him to third. After an out, Abraham moved on to third on a wild pitch, which set-up Cislo's two-out heroics. Cislo and Abraham, who posted a save, each had two hits a piece. Recknagel led the way with his three RBI.

Mike Wilson kept Michigan in it by tossing 7.1 innings tough innings before yeilding to Michael Powers. Powers, who pitched two-thirds of an inning, notched the win. Abraham came on to pitch the ninth.

Michigan awaits the winner of today's Austin Peay/Vanderbilt game. Tonight's game will begin at 8:00pm.

Earlier in the evening, Minnesota sent more shock waves through college baseball, as the Gophers eliminated host San Diego, 6-5, in ten innings. The hero out west was freshman 2B Derek McCallum. McCallum's RBI single plated Kyle Baran in the 10th and kept Minnesota's season alive.

The Gophers appeared the have the upset clinched heading into the ninth. Minnesota led 5-0 before the final frame began. Mike Mee's homer and three RBI had paced the Gophers to the lead. However, San Diego, the national number eight seed, responded with a five run top of the ninth. USD's comeback was highlight by Logan Gelbrich's three run, game tying bomb.

Dustin Braebender pitched eight tremendous innings in a head-to-head showdown with USD All-American pitcher Brian Matusz. Matusz worked 7.2 innings giving up seven hits and four earned runs, walking no one and striking out seven. Braebender countered by scattering seven hits, a walk, two earned runs and fanning five. Gophers' closer Josh Oslin worked the last 1.2 innings to post the win.

The win kept the Gophers season alive and closed the books on 2007 for San Diego. Minnesota will play Fresno State Sunday night at 7:00pm.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Was that a great day for Big Ten baseball or what?

Let's hope today is just as good.

Go Blue!

Brian said...

This comment is courtesy of CSTV's Eric Sorenson, who asked me to forward his sentiments.

It's the Big 10's world and we're just living in it!

I made the comment on the CSTV Gametracker Live show last night, "I'm not totally shocked about Minnesota beating San Diego. I've been saying all season that Minnesota is a good team. I hate to see San Diego eliminated. Coach Rich Hill is my surfing buddy and all.

Am I shocked that they went 0-2? Hell yeah. But they lost to a good team."

And Michigan beating Vanderbilt?... Holla!!! That is really unbelievable. Only problem is, now they'll have to do it again. But the Big 10's four-game weekends assures that they'll have enough arms to make it through. But will they have enough effective arms? Stay
tuned.