Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Michigan
Wildcats Fall to Michigan 7-1 in Game One
5/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 16, 2008
Box Score
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -
No. 17 Michigan scored in each of the first four innings as it posted a 7-1 win in the first game of a doubleheader Friday afternoon at Ray Fisher Stadium. The Wildcats got a run in the top of the first, but were unable to tally the rest of the way. Chris Lashmet led NU with two hits.
Just like he did in Thursday night's series opener, Jake Owens got things started for the 'Cats in the top of the first with a triple to center off Michigan ace Zach Putnam. Aaron Newman brought him home one batter later with an RBI groundout to third. NU nearly added to its lead with a two-out rally as back-to-back singles by Mike Kalina and Lashmet put two in scoring position, but Putnam got a groundout to leave both runners stranded.
Michigan followed Thursday night's cue as well in its half of the first. After hitting four home runs in the first contest, the Wolverines got their first of the day when Nate Recknagel connected for a two-run shot. It was the 23rd of the season for senior, tying him for the nation's lead.
The hosts tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the second without the benefit of a hit and with the benefit of some help from Northwestern. An error and a walk put two on with no one out, before the bases became loaded when everyone was safe on bunt by Chris Berset. Run-scoring groundouts by Ryan LaMarre and Jason Christian each plated unearned runs as Michigan's advantage grew to 4-1. With two on and two outs, Tommy Finn kept the deficit at three by climbing the ladder to spear a line shot by Recknagel.
Two more walks by Bo Schultz in the third came back to haunt him as both runners came around to score on two-out singles to left by Berset and LaMarre to make it 6-1.
The Wolverines' stretch of two-run innings was snapped in the fourth as reliever Mike Folan held them to one run. Adam Abraham had an RBI single to left, but Folan got Derek VanBuskirk to hit into a 4-6-3 double play to limit the damage.
Putnam kept his record unblemished by going to 7-0 on the season with the win. He worked the first five innings, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out five. Schultz (3-8) took the loss, surrendering six runs (four earned) on three hits and five walks in three innings pitched.
Folan allowed only one run in three innings of relief, including inducing a pair of double plays.
The second game of the doubleheader is set to begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. Central time.
