March 1, 2006
ORLANDO - Michigan left fielder Mike Schmidt finished with four RBI, including a three-run home run to lead the Wolverines to a 6-3 victory over UCF Wednesday evening at Jay Bergman Field. The Wolverines (2-2) won their second straight game while UCF (4-7) lost its second consecutive contest.
"We pitched well enough to win the ball game," said UCF head coach Jay Bergman. "Our pitchers gave us a chance to win, but in the seventh and eighth inning we didn't put anything across at the plate offensively. We didn't do anything at the plate to win the game."
Michigan starter Craig Murray (1-0) worked six innings and allowed two runs on three hits with four strikeouts for the win. UCF freshman left-hander Mitch Houck (0-1) gave up five runs on six hits in 4.1 innings of work for the loss.
Michigan scored three runs on one swing in the second as Schmidt drilled a three-run home run to left field to give Michigan a 3-0 lead.
The Golden Knights scored twice in the third to close the deficit to 3-2. Sophomore center fielder Tyson Auer singled, stole two bases and later scored on a ground out for UCF's first run of the game. Senior catcher Ryan Bono added a two-out, RBI-single to cut the Michigan lead to 3-2.
The Wolverines scored single runs in the fourth and fifth to increase the lead to 5-2.
A bobbled double-play ball turned into an error and opened the door for the Golden Knights in the seventh. Michigan shortstop Leif Mahler committed an error on a ground ball that could have turned two, which led to runners on first and second for UCF. Junior third baseman Matt Ray followed with a RBI-single down the line in left to close the gap to 5-3.
After a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk to load the bases for UCF cleanup hitter Kiko Vazquez, Mahler redeemed himself as he started a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat.
The Golden Knights threatened again in the eighth with runners on the corners and one out, but Michigan reliever Adam Abraham got out of the jam with a foul out to first base and a ground out to shortstop to end the inning.
Michigan added an insurance run in the ninth on a two-out, RBI-single by first baseman Nate Recknagel to give UM a three-run advantage, 6-3.
Freshman right fielder Dave DiNatale extended his hitting streak to six games after going 2-for-3 with a double for the Golden Knights.
UCF finishes its 11-game homestand this weekend with a three-game series vs. Monmouth. The series begins Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. from Jay Bergman Field.
Game Notes: UCF dropped to 16-9 vs. Big Ten opponents ... The Golden Knights are 8-5 all-time vs. Michigan ... Tyson Auer tied a career-high with three stolen bases.