Pitching struggles as Florida International falls to Michigan Wolverines

Miami, Florida – In spite of successes at the plate, Florida International’s pitching failed on the mound losing 16-8 to the Michigan Wolverines. Kevin Martin had a rough outing getting pulled in the third giving up seven runs (all earned) on as many hits walking four.

The defeat snaps FIU’s six-game winning streak. Michigan led from start to finish keeping the Panthers at a distance in a high scoring affair that saw the blue and gold send out seven pitchers totaling an abysmal 13 walks.

Martin faltered in the first inning as the Wolverines dropped five runs on five hits. After striking out Clark Elliot the freshman righty surrendered a double then issued a walk. Jimmy Obertop hit a very high chopper towards Steven Ondina but the shortstop had no play as Michigan scored for the early 1-0 lead. Prior to the hit Joe Stewart took advantage of a wild pitch advancing to third.

M1 | Teddy Two Bags unloads a 3-run double and comes around on an RBI single from Van Remortel and #GoBlue opens a big early lead

Michigan 5 – FIU 0 pic.twitter.com/VttQNGArhY

— Michigan Baseball (@umichbaseball) February 26, 2022

Ted Burton continued the scoring slamming one into the gap of left-center field for the bases-clearing double making it 4-0 Wolverines. Jack VanRemortel topped off the team’s first trip to the plate with an RBI single.

FIU responded with a run courtesy of second baseman Dante Girardi hitting a single to the right side allowing Alec Sanchez to score from second.

Clawing back

Michigan tried to pile on some more runs in the following frame but was denied by Martin getting Burton to ground out to third in a terrific play by Noel Perez and Adrian Figueroa. Figueroa stretched out to make the impressive catch at first. This was the zenith of the pitching.

Sanchez nearly lifted the ball over the fences achieving a clutch two-RBI double bringing FIU closer by a score of 5-3.

Martin was yanked in the third after walking two consecutive batters, replaced by reliever Orlando Hernandez. Elliot crushed a double to right-center recording two more runs to make it 7-3 Michigan. The Wolverines would add another pair.

T4 | Alex Fedje-Johnson plates the 10th Michigan run with a single to score Burton (BB, SB)#GoBlue 10 – FIU 4 pic.twitter.com/FpxiekGgRd

— Michigan Baseball (@umichbaseball) February 26, 2022

Down six runs Florida International kept on battling in the third. Girardi slapped a screamer down the left-field line for a double followed by an RBI single from Perez. Figueroa found a hole on the right side scratching another as part of a three-run fourth. The home team now trailed 10-7.

However, whenever the Panthers looked primed to tie it, the Wolverines continued to feast on their pitching staff.

Closing thoughts

There was plenty of hitting but the pitching staff was atrocious tonight. FIU sent out a lot of pitchers and they found little success. You won’t win many (if any) games with performances like that on the mound. Kudos to the Panthers for not fading into the night. Although they were down early Florida International continued to string together runs.

This is a great Michigan team serving as a very early test in order to gauge where the program is at on the second weekend of the season. The boys have the grit and they’ve got the bats. Coach Mervyl Melendez and company have great faith in their hurlers. We’ll see how their pitching holds out as the season goes on.

Gus Bus Award

Going 2-for-5 with 3 RBIs and two doubles Alec Sanchez is on fire this season hitting .448.

You’re Killing Me Smalls