The Michigan Wolverines Down The Iowa Hawkeyes 8–4 — A Bizarre First Game of a Three Game Weekend Series (04/23/16)

The Hawkeyes shot themselves in the foot defensively in the third inning. After conceding a leadoff single, Iowa’s starting pitcher CJ Eldred allowed a bunt single, followed by an error by Iowa’s normally reliable first baseman, Tyler Peyton. That loaded the bases for Michigan, who hit consecutive RBI singles to jump out to a 2–0 lead. The Wolverines tacked on another run in the third after a fielder’s choice to a diving Nick Roscetti.

Eldred hit the leadoff man, Jonathan Engelmann, in the fourth, and Engelmann came around to score on an RBI single by Matt Ramsay. In the fifth, Michigan took a 5–0 lead when Engelmann singled in Michael Brdar.

The Hawkeyes got on the board in the sixth on one of the oddest plays I’ve seen, setting the tone for an unusual inning. With Mason McCoy at bat, Nick Roscetti at third, and Jimmy Frankos on first, Michigan’s catcher tried to pick Roscetti off, but threw the ball off of McCoy’s bat in the batter’s box. The ball ricocheted into left field, allowing Roscetti to score. This unusual play got the crowd involved and turned the momentum in favor of Iowa. Robert Neustrom walked to load the bases, and pinch hitter Austin Guzzo also drew a free pass to bring in the Hawkeyes’ second run. Schenck-Joblinske reached base on an error by the second baseman, bringing in McCoy. The Hawkeyes plated their fourth run of the frame when Zach Daniels walked, scoring Neustrom. Joel Booker then nearly beheaded the third base umpire on a scary play. Booker tomahawked a screamer down the third base line, and the ball struck the umpire square in the chest, knocking him to the ground. The umpire was shaken up, but got back up and finished the game. Iowa had a chance to tie the game, but Austin Guzzo was ruled out at home after trying to score on a wild pitch, ending the bizarre inning.

The Wolverines responded in the top of the seventh, drawing two walks and playing fundamentally sound baseball to bring in a runner. Drew Lugbauer sacrifice bunted to move the runners into scoring position, and Michael Brdar came through with an RBI single to left, plating Cody Bruder.

Iowa was threatening in the seventh until Roscetti struck out and interfered with the catcher on Tyler Peyton’s steal attempt, nixing the Hawkeyes’ rally with a strike him out, throw him out. Frankos reached based later in the inning on another bizarre play. Michigan’s first baseman fielded a swinging bunt by Frankos and tossed to the pitcher, who was covering at first base. The ball arrived before Frankos, but Frankos jarred the ball loose when he collided with the pitcher, resulting in Frankos being safe at first. Iowa could not spark a two out rally and nothing resulted from the play.

With the score 6–4 in the ninth, Michigan added some insurance runs courtesy of a two-run bomb by Drew Lugbauer to right center. The Hawkeyes loaded the bases in the ninth, and freshman Robert Neustrom came to the plate with two outs. Neustrom connected and sent a towering fly ball to the warning track, where it fell harmlessly into the glove of Michigan’s center fielder to end the game. Neustrom came within a matter of feet of being a hero, but the Hawkeyes dropped the first game of the weekend to Michigan.

Senior Nick Roscetti showed why he was named to the Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award Watch List, recording two hits and drawing a walk on the night, in addition to playing outstanding defense in the field. The difference in the game was Michigan’s ability to come through in the clutch as opposed to Iowa’s inability. The Wolverines were 7–15 (.467) with two outs, and a scorching 9–17 (.529) with runners on base. Michigan was also 2–4 with the bases loaded and 15–21 (.714) in advancement opportunities. Meanwhile, Iowa struggled to get the breakthrough hit they needed, batting an icy .067 (1–15) with runners on base, and .182 (2–11) with two outs in the inning.

Iowa (17–18) will square off with the #18 Wolverines again on Saturday, with the first pitch scheduled for 3:05 at Duane Banks Field.

Iowa City, IA — 10:54 AM, 04/23/16 — Jack Brandsgard / Hawkeyes Mic LLC