Michigan baseball drops two costly games to Ohio State

The up-and-down season continues for Michigan baseball after a second straight loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes. 

Just when you thought Michigan baseball had found some late-season momentum once again heading into the Big Ten tournament, the Wolverines find themselves in the midst of a 3-game losing streak to end the regular season.

Thankfully, Michigan baseball punched its ticket to the Big Ten tournament already, which requires a top-8 finish, last weekend with a sweep of Northwestern. That 3-0 series gave Michigan baseball four straight wins heading into the final week of the season.

More importantly, the Wolverines were tied for fourth and had a chance to improve their seeding before the tournament starts next week in Omaha.

Yet, things this week haven’t gone as planned. First, Michigan baseball was roasted by Xavier during the home finale, dropping the home contest to the Musketeers by a score of 14-2.

That could be brushed off considering it wasn’t a conference game. But against arch-rival Ohio State, Michigan baseball has also looked flat.

The Wolverines dropped a 7-3 decision against Ohio State on Thursday and it wasn’t like Michigan is resting anyone or anything.

Connor O’Halloran, the ace of the staff, was on the bump but allowed five runs on seven hits and didn’t make it out of the fifth inning. The only offense came from two Jimmy Obertop home runs.

Noah Rennard got the loss on Friday as Ohio State won again 9-5. The Buckeyes grabbed a 4-0 lead after a three-run homer in the second inning. Ted Burton hit a bomb to keep the Wolverines in it. Joey Velazquez was one of two Michigan baseball players to go deep in the ninth, but it was too little too late.

The Wolverines are now 26-25 on the season, as well as 13-10 in the Big Ten. There is one game to go, and they shouldn’t drop below the sixth seed, but a win on Saturday (2 PM EST) would sure be nice, as would avoiding a sweep at the hands of Ohio State.