Ann Arbor, Mich. – The University of Michigan baseball team triumphed over Toledo, 6-4, at the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium, on Tuesday afternoon (March 11), using a four-run rally in the seventh inning to secure the win.
Michigan (9-6) was propelled by a pair of home runs. AJ Rausch got the Wolverines on the board early with a leadoff home run in the first inning, while Mitch Voit delivered a decisive three-run shot in the seventh. Rausch, who added another hit and scored on Voit’s homer, was the only Michigan player with multiple hits and runs in the game.
On the mound, Michael Quedens started but was replaced early. Cade Connolly provided a strong relief effort, tossing 3.1 scoreless innings with just one hit allowed and two strikeouts. Ricky Kidd followed with two perfect innings, and Tate Carey picked up the win, allowing only one run on six hits in two innings. Will Rogers closed the game with a strikeout in the ninth, earning his fourth save of the season.
Toledo (5-10) struck first with a run in the opening inning, sending seven batters to the plate. However, Connolly induced a flyout to end the frame with the bases loaded. Michigan responded immediately, as Rausch homered on the first pitch he saw to tie the game. The Wolverines took the lead in the second inning when Cade Ladehoff singled and scored on a Cole Caruso double.
The next four innings saw both teams go scoreless, with only one baserunner each in the third through sixth innings. In the top of the seventh, Toledo regained the lead. After a pair of walks put runners on base, a sacrifice bunt advanced them, and a single brought both runners home, putting the Rockets up 3-2.
The Wolverines bounced back in the bottom of the seventh with a big inning. Jeter Ybarra led off with a double and later scored on a two-out single from Jonathan Kim. Voit then launched a three-run home run over the batter’s eye in center field, giving Michigan a 6-3 advantage.
Toledo mounted a final rally in the ninth. After a scoreless eighth inning, the Rockets loaded the bases with three straight singles. Rogers came in and struck out the first batter he faced, and though a sacrifice fly brought one run in, it also recorded the second out. A fielder’s choice then ended the game, sealing Michigan’s 6-4 victory.
Michigan will face in-state rival Michigan State in a non-conference midweek game on Wednesday (March 12) at 4 p.m., which will be streamed live on B1G+.
