Michigan Baseball: Wolverines could use a win vs Nebraska
Michigan baseball had its best pitcher on the mound Friday and it still wasn’t enough to beat Nebraska and the Wolverines could use a win.
There was one very big difference between Michigan baseball and Nebraska heading into the three-game series between Big Ten foes this weekend.
That difference is that Nebraska has its spot in the NCAA Tournament wrapped up, thanks to winning the Big Ten championship. Michigan baseball doesn’t. The Wolverines are a strong bet to make the field of 64 teams, but it’s never a good thing to be an at-large team on a losing skid.
Especially this year in the Big Ten.
Looking back at the NCAA softball tournament selection, some Big Ten teams were left out that some thought would get in. Michigan expected to host a regional, but instead, was sent to Washington.
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The lack of non-conference games hurt the Big Ten and it could hurt the Wolverines, who were projected as a No. 2 seed in the South Bend regional earlier this week. Notre Dame would be the host.
That was the same projection before Michigan baseball lost two of three games at home last weekend to Maryland. So it doesn’t really seem like U-M is in danger of missing the tournament. Yet do the Wolverines want to lose five of their last six going in?
Michigan needs a win over Nebraska
One win would go a long way, even to get some positive momentum. The Wolverines were in good shape to get a win Friday with Steven Hajjar on the mound.
Hajjar put together a stellar performance, allowing one run and striking out five over the course of eight innings. But he allowed one run too many as Michigan fell 1-0.
The Wolverines will get two more chances to beat the Huskers and the next comes Saturday at 12 CST and will air on the Big Ten Network.
And while Michigan seems solidly in the field, a win might help U-M avoid dropping to a three seed, which losing five of six games could certainly lead to.