The Big Ten is generally not thought of a baseball conference, and this year has been no different.
The Maryland Terrapins were the only Big Ten team ranked in the final D1Baseball.com Top 25 rankings, but it was the Michigan Wolverines who stole the show on Saturday with their big win over national championship contender Louisville in the 2022 NCAA D-I Baseball Championship tournament.
The Wolverines had a tough task going up against the regional hosts, but leapt ahead with three runs in the third inning and two runs in the fourth inning en route to a 7-4 victory.
MICHIGAN WINS!
The Wolverines take down regional host Louisville and remain undefeated.
U-M plays Sunday at 4 p.m. against the winner of UL vs. Oregon (noon) #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/bB64hvo1hT
— Michigan Baseball (@umichbaseball) June 4, 2022
Michigan was paced on offense by center fielder Joe Stewart, who hit .337 on the season with 12 home runs and 23 stolen bases.
Against the Cardinals, Stewart turned in a memorable performance with three hits in five at-bats along with an RBI (full box score here).
The Wolverines’ victory was considered a major upset.
BIG MICHIGAN BASEBALL WIN TO UPSET LOUISVILLE! LETS GOOOO!
— Swanky Wolverine (@swankywolverine) June 4, 2022
The Wolverines’ offense started off slow, but managed to rally shortly into the game.
They chased one of the top pitchers in the region from the mound and took control of the game from there on out.
Louisville ace Jared Poland retired the first 8 batters of the game. Michigan now has 9 hits in the bottom of the 5th and has chased him from the game. #GoBlue 7 – UL 2#RoadToOmaha pic.twitter.com/2PV6vnzGoZ
— Michigan Baseball (@umichbaseball) June 4, 2022
Michigan was also led by 3B Matt Frey with two hits and young shortstop Riley Bertram, who also had two hits on the evening.
Back-to-back early game homers from Stewart and Clark Elliott were among the highlights for the Wolverines.
? Clark "The Spark" Elliott and Joe Stewart smashed back-to-back homers to open a 3-1 lead against Louisville ace Jared Poland. The duo last went back-to-back just nine days ago in the Big Ten Tourney#GoBlue x #RoadToOmaha pic.twitter.com/U93d2IVEs7
— Michigan Baseball (@umichbaseball) June 4, 2022
The Wolverines became the first 2-0 team in the entire bracket with their victory.
The team is aiming for its 9th College World Series appearance overall and 3rd National Championship.
