Inning blasts power Michigan to a 13-5 victory against Oakland in home start

Following two consecutive losses to Oakland in previous seasons, Michigan’s baseball team made their home debut with a score to settle.

The Wolverines (5-8 overall) exacted their retribution with a 13-5 victory over the Golden Grizzlies (3-8), aided by offensive explosions in the third, fourth, and eighth innings.

Michigan had no baserunners in the first two innings. However, it kept the ball in play throughout the at-bat, as none of the first six hitters struck out. This foreshadowed what was to come, as the bottom of the order was scheduled to bat in the third inning.

The Wolverines kept putting iron on the ball. This inning, however, was different.

Kyle Dernedde, a junior shortstop, hooked a ball into right field and made it around the bases for a leadoff triple. One pitch later, junior catcher Will Rogers knocked a ground ball down the left field line, scoring Dernedde.

However, this was not the only run Michigan scored in the third.

After graduate second baseman Mack Timbrook doubled, sophomore first baseman Mitch Voit hit a deep drive to right field that Oakland right fielder Ian Cleary barely held in the park. However, Cleary was unable to maintain the ball in his glove, and Voit advanced to second base on a two-RBI double.

The offensive barrage continued, as sophomore center fielder Jonathan Kim doubled to bring Voit home, and freshman designated hitter Bradley Navarro homered the next time around. By the end of the inning, the Wolverines had scored six runs on six hits, forcing the Golden Grizzlies to call for the bullpen.

After Oakland answered with their own three-run inning, Michigan refused to give up. Dernedde reached base on a single, and Timbrook was struck by a pitch. Dylan Stanton, the senior first baseman who replaced Voit, singled and cleared the bases. With two more runs scored, the Wolverines led 8-4.

After a three-inning lull, Michigan woke up. Timbrook doubled and scored two at-bats later on a single by graduate left fielder Stephen Hrustich. After the Wolverines loaded the bases, junior third baseman Cole Caruso hit a grand slam to right field, finishing a five-run eighth inning.

And in stunning fashion, Michigan trounced Oakland 13-5, closing off a solid offensive performance.

After a long journey around the country to begin the season, the Wolverines returned to Ann Arbor. They made an early impression in front of their fans, powering themselves to victory with three good innings. Back in the victory column, Michigan’s new look at the plate offers a glimpse into the future as it seeks to recover from a shaky start to the season.