Michigan Baseball destroys Michigan State in series opener

Michigan baseball is taking on Michigan State in a three-game series this weekend and the Wolverines opened with a bang on Friday night.

The Michigan baseball team is about to hit the heart of its Big Ten schedule and the Wolverines started a streak of nine Big Ten games with an 18-6 victory over Michigan State on Friday night.

Playing on the road against their archrivals, Michigan baseball set the tone early. Well, Clark Elliott did as belted a leadoff home run, which was one of three in the game.

Elliott also hit a grand-slam home run in the top of the second inning, as well as a three-run shot in the ninth to cap an incredible day at the plate that included four hits and 8 RBI.

Matt Frey joined Elliott in homering in the first inning against Michigan State. Then, when Elliott when yard (grand slam) in the second, the Wolverines already led 8-0.

Connor O’Halloran had a solid outing on the mound for the Wolverines and tossed nearly six innings in the win, which was his fourth of the season (4-2). He struck out eight Michigan State batters and the only runs allowed came on an error.

The win improved Michigan baseball to 18-15 on the season, as well as 4-3 in the Big Ten. It was also the fourth win in five games. U-M lost to Notre Dame earlier this week, a top-10 team, but last weekend Michigan swept Cal-State Fullerton.

However, the Wolverines aren’t projected in the NCAA baseball tournament field right now and aren’t even among the 12 teams closest to consideration according to Baseball of America.

So, Michigan baseball has plenty of work to do in order to get back in a position for a bid. Two more games await this weekend against Michigan State, followed by a three-game set for the Wolverines next weekend against Ohio State.

The first pitch on Saturday between the Spartans and Wolverines is set for 4 p.m. CST.