Recap: Vanderbilt ends Michigan's CWS run with 8-2 win in Game 3
Michigan’s College World Series dream came to an end in Omaha after an 8-2 loss to Vanderbilt in the third and deciding game of the championship series.
Vanderbilt starter Mason Hickman was too much for the Wolverines, pitching six innings and allowing only four hits, three walks and one earned run with 10 strikeouts.
The Michigan pitching duo of Karl Kauffmann and Jeff Criswell was not nearly as effective as they were earlier in the tournament, allowing the Commodores to spread out eight runs over eight innings.
Michigan was attempting to become the first NCAA champion out of the Big Ten since 1966.
9th inning: Eder closes it out for Vanderbilt
Top 9th
Blomgren flew out to center field for the first out. Donovan struck out swinging. Bertram drew a walk then stole second base. Thomas flew out to center field to end the game.
End T9: Vanderbilt 8, Michigan 2
8th inning: Michigan and Vanderbilt trade runs
Top 8th
Franklin legged out a double to start the inning. Brewer popped out foul, and Franklin tagged up and went to third. Kerr struck out swinging. Nelson hit a double to left field, scoring Franklin and trimming Vanderbilt's lead to five.
With two outs, Bullock struck out swinging to end the inning.
End T8: Vanderbilt 7, Michigan 2
Bottom 8th
Infante grounded out to shortstop for the first out. Martin grounded out to shortstop. Bleday drew a walk. Paul ripped a single to right, moving Bleday to second. Clarke hit a long single to right field, scoring Bleday, moving Paul to third and stretching Vanderbilt's lead back to six runs.
With two outs, DeMarco struck out to end the inning.
End B8: Vanderbilt 8, Michigan 2
7th inning: Vanderbilt adds on in Game 3 of CWS against Michigan
Top 7th
Vanderbilt reliever Jake Eder took over for Hickman. Donovan struck out swinging. Bertram grounded out for the second out. Thomas lined out to shortstop to end the inning.
End T7: Vanderbilt 6, Michigan 1
Bottom 7th
Paul grounded out to second for the first out. Clarke made it to first on an infield single. DeMarco replaced Clarke at first with a fielder's choice. With two outs, DeMarco stole second base.
Scott drew a walk. Ray hit a single to left, scoring DeMarco, moving Scott to second and putting Vanderbilt up, 7-1. Duvall struck out swinging to end the inning.
End B7: Vanderbilt 7, Michigan 1
6th inning: Vanderbilt in control through six in Game 3 of CWS against Michigan
Top 6th
Nelson flew out to center field for the first out. Bullock struck out swinging. Blomgren grounded out to shortstop to end the inning.
End T6: Vanderbilt 6, Michigan 1
Bottom 6th
Infante struck out swinging for Criswell's fourth strikeout. Martin flew out to center field for the second out. Bleday struck out looking to end the inning.
End B6: Vanderbilt 6, Michigan 1
5th inning: Vanderbilt starter Hickman cruising through five in Game 3 of CWS against Michigan
Top 5th
Franklin struck out swinging for Hickman's eighth strikeout. Brewer struck out looking for the second out. Kerr flew out to left field to end the inning.
End T5: Vanderbilt 6, Michigan 1
Bottom 5th
Scott struck out swinging. Ray grounded out to third for the second out. Duvall struck out swinging to end the inning.
End B5: Vanderbilt 6, Michigan 1
4th inning: Vanderbilt adds to its lead over Michigan in Game 3 of CWS
Top 4th
Nelson struck out swinging to start the inning. Bullock drew a walk. Blomgren got a hit to center field, advancing Bullock to third. Donovan lined out to shortstop. Bertram drew a walk to load the bases.
With two outs, Thomas flew out to left, stranding three runners.
End T4: Vanderbilt 4, Michigan 1
Bottom 4th
Kauffmann started the inning for the Wolverines with Criswell throwing in the bullpen. Duvall drew a walk, prompting Bakich to replace Kauffmann with Criswell. Infante struck out swinging.
With one out, Martin drew a walk, moving Duvall to second. Bleday hit a single up the middle, scoring Duvall and moving Martin to third. Paul hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Martin and making it 6-1 for Vanderbilt.
With two outs, Clarke hit a single to center, moving Bleday to third. DeMarco flew out to right to finally get Michigan out of the inning.
End B4: Vanderbilt 6, Michigan 1
3rd inning: Vanderbilt takes lead over Michigan in Game 3 of CWS
Top 3rd
Franklin struck out looking for Hickman's fifth strikeout. Brewer struck out swinging for the second out. Kerr popped out to shortstop to end the inning.
End T3: Michigan 1, Vanderbilt 1
Bottom 3rd
Commodore first baseman Julian Infante struck out swinging to start the inning, Kauffmann's fourth consecutive strikeout. Martin stung a ball down the third base line, Nelson made a diving stop and fired a rocket to first to get the out.
With two outs, Bleday drew a walk. Paul hammered a single up the middle, moving Bleday to second. Clarke drew a walk, loading the bases, prompting a mound visit from Michigan pitching coach Chris Fetter. DeMarco drew a walk, scoring Bleday, leaving the bases loaded and giving Vanderbilt a 2-1 lead.
Still with two outs, Scott hit a single scoring Paul and Clarke, moving DeMarco to third and growing Vanderbilt's lead to 4-1. Ray popped out to shortstop to end the inning. Michigan reliever Jeff Criswell was warming in the bullpen.
End B3: Vanderbilt 4, Michigan 1
2nd inning: Vanderbilt strikes back against Michigan in Game 3 of CWS
Top 2nd
Michigan shortstop Jack Blomgren flew out to right field for the first out. Wolverine catcher Joe Donovan flew out to right field for the second out. Michigan freshman Riley Bertram, DHing for Jordan Nwogu who was injured on Tuesday night, drew a walk.
With two outs, Bertram stole second base. Thomas struck out swinging to end the inning and the threat.
End T2: Michigan 1, Vanderbilt 0
Bottom 2nd
Pat DeMarco hit a solo home run to left, tying the score at 1. Vanderbilt left fielder Stephen Scott then struck out swinging for the first out. Commodore second baseman Harrison Ray struck out swinging for the second out.
With two outs, Vanderbilt designated hitter Ty Duvall struck out swinging to end the inning.
End B2: Michigan 1, Vanderbilt 1
1st inning: Michigan strikes first in Game 3
Top 1st
Vanderbilt starter Mason Hickman gave up a single to Ako Thomas to start the game. Michigan center fielder Jesse Franklin then hit a sharp single to right that advanced Thomas to third.
With no outs, Wolverine right fielder Jordan Brewer hit a single to left, scoring Thomas and moving Franklin to second. Michigan first baseman Jimmy Kerr then struck out for the first out.
With one out, Wolverine third baseman Blake Nelson struck out for the second out. Michigan left fielder Christian Bullock then struck out swinging to end the inning and the threat.
End T1: Michigan 1, Vanderbilt 0
Bottom 1st
Wolverine starter Karl Kauffmann struck out Vanderbilt third baseman Austin Martin looking to start the bottom of the first. JJ Bleday then flew out to center field. Vanderbilt shortstop Ethan Paul drew a walk.
With two outs, Philip Clarke flew out to left field to end the inning.
End B1: Michigan 1, Vanderbilt 0
Pre-game
Michigan takes on Vanderbilt in the third and deciding game of the College World Series on Wednesday night, with the winner emerging as national champion. You can follow the action here with live updates throughout the game by Eric Coughlin of The Detroit News.
MICHIGAN VS. VANDERBILT
What: Game 3 of best-of-three College World Series finals
When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Where: TD Ameritrade Park, Omaha, Neb.
Records: Michigan 50-21, Vanderbilt 58-12
Series: Michigan leads 24-19-1
TV: ESPN
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Jimmy Kerr's power surge electrifying Michigan's College World Series run