Michigan Pulls Off Conference Double; States Case To Host Regional
While tonight's final game was a 3-2 nailbiter, the conclusion was the one most had expected before the season began. Michigan was the prohibitive favorite in the Big Ten in the pre-season, so the fact the Wolverines managed to pull off the double -- winning the Big 10 regular season and conference tournaments -- comes as no surprise.
Michigan claimed the Big 10's post-season title by winning tonight's one-run game over Purdue. The star's of tonight's win were UM pitchers Tyler Burgoon and Michael Powers. The two combined to pitch 6.1 innings while giving up just four hits and a walk while striking out six. Burgoon posted the win, Powers the save. UM freshman OF Ryan LaMarre hit a solo shot out to nearly dead centerfield.
Alex Jaffee had a pair of hits for Purdue. Jon Moore had a hit, a run scored and a RBI in the loss.
The Boilermakers advanced to tonight's would-be championship tilt by ending Indiana's season, 11-7, in the day's first contest. Dan Black homered three times and drove in five Boiler tallies. Brandon Haveman had a four-hit game for Purdue. Starter Matt Jansen posted the win.
Chris Hervey had three hits and three RBI for IU. Josh Phegley had three hits and Michael Earley homered.
The win also increased the odds of Michigan playing host to a NCAA Regional next weekend. More than a few believe the Wolverines will indeed be at home again next week. My hope is to write more about this tomorrow and provide a few photos, as well.
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2 comments:
I'm happy for Michigan, but I'm really glad the tournament was so interesting. The Purdue games were close and not huge blow-outs, Indiana was very entertaining to watch (if I were a Hoosier fan I'd probably had a stroke over some of the errors), and there was a lot of good college baseball.
The crowds were good (great for the Michigan games) and into it, with each of the teams seeming to have a decent cadre of supporters. I hope this translates into a good case for a Regional bif for Michigan, and that some southern and western teams get a chance to see what we've got going on up here.
I'd love to see some of the teams out of the west be totally thrown off by a full pep band being in the stands. Unfortunately it only worked so well against VT for softball today. Michigan is down 5 with 2 outs to go.
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