Michigan Baseball: Jeff Criswell saves the day vs UCLA
Michigan baseball beats UCLA in the first of three games of the NCAA Tournament’s Super Regional and is looking to advance to their first World Series since the 80’s.
Michigan baseball‘s Karl Kauffmann pitched phenomenally opposite UCLA’s Ryan Garcia on a Friday night matchup but the Wolverines faced adversity in the ninth, turning to Jeff Criswell who saved the maize and blue.
Recap
Just as fast as Michigan baseball’s first three batters were retired, UCLA’s batters were taken care of the same way. We move onto the second.
“Nine pitches, nine strikes,” said the announcer. The Ryan Garcia strike streak was broken on the following pitch and still, three up, three down.
“Most combined wins at a Super Regional” adds the announcer, just as the third UCLA ball-striker hits a fly out. Not one man with a base hit after two.
Finally, Michigan with the first hit. A beautiful strike to center field with Joe Donovan up to bat. Bunt, rather, bad bunt and man out at second with Joe safe at first.
A fly ball makes its two outs, one on first in the top of the third.
Hit towards third, Jordan Nwogu safe. Man on third and second.
“The Wolverines travel well no matter what sport” proclaimed by the announcer as Jessie Franklin hits a deep shot to right field, sending in two runs. Michigan’s top talent Jordan Brewer came up to bat but was unable to out-strategize the Bruins best pitcher and we move onto the bottom of the third with the Wolverines up 2-0.
“Seven up, seven down” for Kauffmann. Some great defense led to the second out and Karl striking out the third. The 9-4 Kauffmann looking a lot better than the MLB second-round draft pick Garcia. He’s the only pitcher keeping the batters at bay.
One walk has Michigan with one out and one at first in the top of the fourth. Blake Nelson at first has never been caught stealing a base giving Garcia concern. He threw a wild attempt to keep Blake at bay leading to a third base slide by Nelson. UCLA’s best looked nervous.
However, a fly out and a strikeout left Nelson stranded at third and progressed the game to the bottom of the fourth.
Kauffmann gave up his first base as a walk to UCLA’s Garrett Mitchell. Bunt and Mitchell to second.
Fly out, runner to third, two outs and then an ill-advised strike to the first baseman, a man stranded, hitless through four, Michigan 2, UCLA 0.
The Wolverines looking a lot like the team that beat UCLA earlier in the year, 7-5.
Garcia came to battle in the top of the fifth and brought his confidence this time, striking out the first batter on five pitches, the second man gone with an infield hit, and the third with the same fate as the second.
Michigan baseball’s head coach Erik Bakich joined the television team with an ear to ear smile.
UCLA achieved its first base hit in the fifth and a couple of errors led two one on second and one on first. Michigan’s best player Jordan Brewer accounted for his 13 error for the season but it didn’t matter as the Wolverines caught the next hit off the bounce and got the double play. We moved to the sixth after a Bruins challenge – the dude was out at second, give me a break.
The Bruins Ryan Garcia bore down and shook off his initial struggles; two strikeouts and a pop-out.
The camera periodically peered over to Garcia on the bench who held a menacing face. He sat alone, determined to overcome his previous mistakes.
Kauffman – equally as determined – starred down three batters and saw their demise. Three infield hits, three outs. Onto the seventh with the maize and blue up two to nothing.
Nine in a row at this point have been retired by Garcia and Christan Bullock doesn’t appear to be scared but he should have been. Fly out, two out, one to go.
Jack Blomgren to bat with no one on base and two outs. A deep shot to right is caught and we move onto the bottom of the seventh. UCLA’s Garcia nearing 90 pitches, that combined with some risky decisions have the bullpen warming up.
Kauffman at 70 pitches couldn’t have looked smoother as he advances to the seventh. An easy flyout only boosts his confidence. Yet another error allows yet another base hit. Kauffmann remains unfazed with a grin.
A crazy “strike him out throw him out” miscommunication led to the eighth inning.
As Garcia moved closer to 100 pitches the bullpen began to warm up, but not soon enough as Ako Thomas hits a deep shot to center field, two-base hit with one out.
A wild pitch and Thomas is at third with only one out.
Sacrifice fly leads Ako home, Michigan three UCLA zero.
As the pitch count passes far past 100, the pitches become more and more erratic and the Wolverines are clearly taking advantage. Franlink hit yet another base hit giving Garcia the break he desperately needed.
No additional scoring and the bottom of the eighth beings.
Kauffmann throws his 90th pitch which includes two strikeouts in the eighth and the 91st pitch is an infield out. Final inning.
Strike out and fly out leads to two outs and Bullock at-bat. Strike out and the war has begun. Kauffman still on the mound hoping to stave off the final three Southern California bears.
One walks added plenty of pressure to Michigan baseball and an error lead to the tying runner up at bat. Deep fly advanced the runners, one at third and one at second.
Infield hit with no play, bases loaded.
Michigan hung on with the 3-2 victory. Criswell with the save.
According to the NCAA, 79% of the teams to win game one have advanced.