March 27, 2012
Box Score
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Kyle Bobolts scored the only run for Oakland (3-17) in a 6-1 loss at Michigan (12-12) on Tuesday at the Wilpon Baseball Complex. The Golden Grizzlies never trailed the Wolverines by more than two runs until the eighth inning.
"We got a great pitching performance from Jason Hager today," said Oakland head coach John Musachio. "He pitched six strong innings and put us in a position to win a baseball game today."
After falling behind 2-0 in the third inning, Oakland pulled a run back without the benefit of a hit in the sixth inning. After back-to-back walks to start the inning, Bobolts was able to advance on a fly ball to center and eventually came in to score on a sacrifice fly by Robby Enslen.
The Wolverines made it 3-1 on an RBI-single by Will Drake in the seventh inning. Michigan then took advantage of an Oakland error to tack on three unearned runs in the bottom of the eighth.
"We made quite a few small mistakes today," added Musachio. "Some of those mistakes didn't show up in the box score, but they're mistakes that cost us nevertheless."
The Wolverines outhit Oakland 7-4 as Patrick Biondi and Drake each had two hits for U-M. Biondi finished with two RBIs, as did Michael O'Neil. Four different players singled for the Golden Grizzlies and the team drew six walks, but left 10 runners stranded on base.
"We need to do a better job of staying on top of the ball to hit line drives and executing bunts, whether they are drag or sacrifice," added Musachio. "We're an execution ball club offensively and if we're not executing then it's going to be a tough day for us."
Jason Hager (0-3) pitched well for OU, allowing just two runs and striking out three batters in six innings of work. Reliever Bryan Jagielo also had three strikeouts and extended his current streak to nine innings pitched without allowing an earned run.
Trent Szlutnik (1-1) got the win by keeping OU scoreless over four innings in a predetermined staff game. Matt Ogden (2) got the save for Michigan.
"Today was a tough day offensively for us, but we're just going to stay positive and try to win one at Western Michigan tomorrow," concluded Musachio.
Oakland is back in action with a game at Western Michigan on Tuesday at 3 p.m .
-OAKLAND-
Late Runs Help Michigan Beat Oakland, 6-1
