Wildcats Overpowered by Wolverines in Series Opener

Friday, May 8

Ann Arbor, Mich.

5:00 PM

Northwestern

15-34, 5-14

Michigan

30-20, 13-9

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Northwestern	0	0	0	1	2	0	1	0	0	4	7	2
Michigan	1	0	1	2	1	6	1	0	X	12	14	1

Wildcats Overpowered by Wolverines in Series Opener

5/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

May 8, 2015

Box Score

Follow @NU_Sports


	Michigan 12, Northwestern 4 Wilpon Complex \| Ann Arbor, Mich. Box Score (PDF) \| Box Score (HTML)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Senior Mike Trucco hit his first career home run to pace Northwestern's offense, but Michigan overpowered the Wildcats, 12-4, in the series opener on Friday night at Wilpon Complex.

Fifth-year senior Scott Heelan kicked off the contest with a single to second base and advanced to third courtesy of a walk and a fielder's choice to set up designated hitter Reid Hunter. The Wildcats were unable to muster up a run as Michigan retired the side.

Michigan wasted no time, sending a one-out solo shot right over the left field fence to open scoring in the bottom of the first. The Wolverines were able to tally one more run before NU could score again. In the top of the third, U-M loaded the bases with a pair of singles and a walk before a base hit from designated hitter Carmen Benedetti pushed Michigan ahead, 2-0.

Northwestern responded in the following frame, plating their first run of the night with a stand-up double from freshman Connor Lind. The Wolverines did not slow down, however, and added three runs over the next two innings, highlighted by a two-run blast in the top of the fourth.

With two outs in the top of the fifth, Hoscheit drew a walk to set up senior Mike Trucco who entered the game to pinch hit for Hunter. Trucco launched his first career home run over the left-field wall to cut the deficit to just one run, 4-3.

U-M tallied one more run before lightning in the area prompted a 75-minute delay with just one out in the top of the sixth. When play resumed, Michigan was quick to shut down the Wildcats' offense before using a six-inning frame in the bottom of the sixth to break the game wide open.

Once again, rain and lightning caused another delay. After the weather finally passed, Michigan led 11-3 through six innings.

Northwestern was able to score one more run in the top of the seventh, but the Wolverines held off NU for the series-opening win.

The Wildcats and Wolverines return to action on Saturday, May 9, at 11 a.m. CST, for game two of this weekend's series. The game will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network.

••••••

Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter and Instagram, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook and sign up to receive promotional text alerts for the latest news, schedule updates and video and to interact with NU. For more information on following specific Northwestern teams online, visit our Social Media page!