Both Ohio State and Michigan entered Friday’s game in a four-way tie atop of the Big Ten standings with a record of 7-5, but the Wolverines took game one of the three-game weekend series by defeating the Buckeyes, 4-1, at Ray Fisher Stadium in Ann Arbor.
Ohio State’s preseason All-American pitcher, Alex Wimmers, tweaked a hamstring during warm-ups prior to last night’s game vs. Michigan and was a late scratch , forcing head coach Bob Todd and his staff to scramble for another starter just before game time.
Theron Minium got the nod and pitched a perfect first frame, but he couldn’t get out of the second inning after walking the first two batters before surrendering an RBI double to Mike Dufek and a two-run two-bagger to Nick Urban that gave UM a 3-1 lead.
Dean Wolosiansky came on in relief of Minium and retired the first three batters he faced to end the inning.
Minium officially pitched one inning and gave up three earned runs on two hits with a pair of strikeouts and the aforementioned two walks. Wolosiansky lasted seven innings and allowed just one run on three hits with three K’s and a base on balls.
The Buckeyes scored their lone run in the visitors half of the second when Michael Stephens doubled to left field and later scored on a balk.
Ohio State had a golden opportunity in the top of the eighth trailing 4-1 when Cory Kovanda led off the frame with a walk, and later on in the inning with two outs, Ryan Dew and Cory Rupert each drew walks. But with the bases loaded, Brian DeLucia struck out looking to end a possible rally.
The Buckeyes and Wolverines tangle on the diamond once again, Saturday night, for game two of the three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:12 p.m.
Tags: Baseball by Matt Barker, Publisher & Editor of BuckeyeBanter.com
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Right: Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany: Seriously dude, what’s the plan?
