Michigan Baseball: Scrappy win has Wolverines in great shape at CWS

Michigan baseball scored a 5-3 win over Texas Tech in the opening game of the College World Series and here’s why that victory is huge for the Wolverines.

Until Saturday, the Michigan baseball team hadn’t been to Omaha for the College World Series in  35 years. But in their first game back, the Wolverines looked like they belonged and scored a critical 5-3 win over Texas Tech.

There were tense moments along the way. The Red Raiders threatened a few times over the last few innings and in the bottom of the sixth, Texas Tech had runners on second and third, with no outs, trailing by just two runs at 4-2.

One base hit could have tied the game.  Yet, starting pitcher Karl Kauffmann got a couple of grounders and a strikeout to allow just one run. Leading 4-3, UM manufactured a run in the top seventh and in the last two innings, the bullpen sealed the deal.

Kauffman got the win after giving up just three hits in seven gutsy innings of work. He was given an early lead to work with thanks to a two-run triple from Jimmy Kerr. That helped Michigan baseball build a 4-0 advantage and from there it was all about holding on, which UM did.

While it was great to see the Wolverines get their first win in 35 years at the College World Series, the victory was more than just historic — it was critical for UM’s chances.

There are two four-team divisions in the College World Series and winning the first game is a key step to winning that division and advancing to the championship series.

Michigan will now take on the winner of Florida State and Arkansas Monday at 6 PM EST. If the Wolverines win that game, they will need to win just one more to play for the national championship. A loss Monday means Michigan would need to win three in a row in the double-elimination tournament.

That’s why the win Saturday was essential. Had Michigan lost to the Red Raiders, it would be facing elimination Monday, in addition to needing four straight wins to advance to the championship series.

So as in most postseason formats, winning the first game is essential and Michigan baseball did that thanks to a brilliant effort on the mound from Kauffmann and a scrappy effort by the team that is exactly what we have come to expect during this run.

The road only gets tougher as fifth-seeded Arkansas or Florida State, a team unbeaten as of now in the NCAA tournament, awaits. However, thanks to another inspiring win, Michigan is just two wins away from playing for the national title and you can’t help but believe.