Michigan baseball advances past Illinois in Big Ten Tournament

Well past midnight, Michigan baseball got past Illinois on Friday morning and advanced in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. 

The Michigan baseball team didn’t get finished with its first-round matchup in the Big Ten Tournament until Friday morning at 2:19 CST. The game was supposed to start around 9.

Instead, Maryland and Indiana went to 11 innings before deciding a victor. Michigan baseball was supposed to play on Wednesday night but had the game moved back to Thursday due to weather.

When the Wolverines finally got on the field, Clark Elliott did his thing, leading off things with a home run. Joe Stewart, who has been on a tear, matched it, giving U-M back-to-back shots to start the game.

However, Illinois, which was part of a three-way tie for second, rallied, and heading into the eighth inning, the score was tied 4-4. Tito Flores came through with a single and after he was moved over, Michigan football player Joey Velazquez brought him in with an RBI single.

Soon after, Mr. Clutch himself, Elliott, delivered a two-out RBI single extending the lead to 6-4. Jimmy Obertop then added an RBI in the top of the ninth on a single that scored Stewart, who opened the inning with a double.

What’s next for Michigan baseball?

Connor O’Halloran was solid in five innings allowing three runs on six hits and striking out three for Michigan baseball on the mound, yet go a no-decision.

Chase Allen got the win after going two innings in relief and giving up one run, while Cameron Weston came on to close again, as he did last weekend against Rutgers, and notched his third save in a key spot. He allowed just one hit and one run in two innings.

Velazquez had a heck of a day at the plate with three hits, a total matched by Stewart who also had a home run. Elliott also managed two hits, as did Obertop.

The Wolverines will play Maryland tonight at 9 PM CST.