Breaking down the final inning of Michigan’s baseball season

OMAHA, Neb. — From the first game Thursday to a rematch two days later, neither team had dominated.

The Michigan baseball team and Penn State spent 19 innings across two games trying to outlast and outplay one another. But in the end, the noise dwindled at the tension-filled Charles Schwab Field as the 10th inning of the semifinal began.  

Because on the diamond in Omaha, one team was going home and the other was moving on. And it all came down to three outs per team.

Just like Thursday, the Nittany Lions and the Wolverines knew the rematch would be a fight. Including their regular season competitions, the scale didn’t tip one way as both teams entered the matchup with a 2-2 record. Zeros graced the scoreboard in the ninth inning, giving a clean slate with the score tied 5-5. One more inning stood between Michigan forcing another game and Penn State’s ticket to the Big Ten Tournament finals. 

“We try to take out as much of the emotion as we can,” fifth-year left-hander Jacob Denner said. “Just do what we know how to, and you know, today it was one pitch, one swing, whatever it might be short, and you know it’s baseball.”

Denner dealt for five innings before approaching the mound one last time in his collegiate career. Wolverines coach Tracy Smith this season preached that the mound was the center of it all. And as Smith continued to put his faith in Denner time and time again, Michigan’s dugout knew its tried-and-true arm was on the mound. Even with the Wolverines’ best foot forward, the Nittany Lions cracked the foundation, one hit at a time.

Penn State’s catcher J.T. Marr strolled to the plate to face Denner with zero outs and the team-leading batting average to support him. A single ripped to center field was the first indication of the damage the Nittany Lions were planning to unleash on Michigan. Because while it started with one hit, right-fielder Adam Cecere had yet to begin.

One fastball later, and the crack of the bat echoed through the stands. With a single swing, the game went from anyone’s to Penn State’s to win. 

“I wish everybody in the world could feel that feeling at some point in their life,” Cecere said.

The two-RBIs home run immediately deflated the Wolverines’ dugout — its window of opportunity began to close. Even with three straight outs after the memorable hit, Michigan’s back was up against a wall. Score two runs or go home were the only options left for the Wolverines. 

Michigan led off its last chance with freshman pinch hitter Cooper Mullens. Mullens may not be the conventional choice, but the Wolverines needed to get someone on base. And for the coaching staff, Mullens earned the chance. With power-hitting duo sophomore utility player Mitch Voit and graduate right-fielder Stephen Hrusitch primed for their turns at the plate, Mullens needed to find his way to first.

However, Mullens struck out, taking the first fall as he returned to the dugout tallying out number one. It left two chances for Michigan’s response, but for the Nittany Lions, it was the last obstacle in their way.

Sophomore center-fielder Jonathan Kim furthered the Wolverines’ dread as he grounded out to first base. It wasn’t over just yet, because approaching the plate next was Voit. The Wolverines are no strangers to Voit’s continuous clutch at-bats, and they’ve reaped the benefits of it all season. Michigan held its breath in anticipation as Voit stood at the plate. 

And swinging with the Wolverines’ fate in his hands, the home-run-hitting Voit showed up. 

Voit’s one swing brought Michigan back into the game, and the dugout erupted with hope. But for the Wolverines, they needed runs and had one out to gamble with as Hrustich made his way to the plate. As he looked to repeat Voit’s success, Hrustich launched a high ball to center field. 

All eyes on the Michigan bench were locked in, waiting to see what awaited. But as the ball fell into the center-fielder’s glove, the Wolverines’ season ended. 

Not a player moved in the Michigan dugout, with heads slumped down and eyes locked onto where the last play occurred. Because the hope that had just returned left just as quick. 

The Wolverines’ season became defined by the highs and lows, but against Penn State, it came down to six outs in one inning. And at the end of the day, Michigan needed more than its three to get the job done. 

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