Controversy clouds Michigan baseball's ouster in NCAA Tournament

Michigan’s baseball season has ended, but not without some fireworks and controversy in the NCAA Tournament Regional final.

The Wolverines (34-28) saw their two-run lead evaporate in the bottom of the eighth inning as Louisville, the regional host, scored four runs and went on to win, 11-9, on Monday in the championship game to advance to the Super Regional at Texas A&M.

There was some controversy in the eighth when, with two out, Louisville’s Jack Payton was called safe on a diving slide into second while Michigan second baseman Ted Burton was making the tag. There was a lengthy review, but the call was upheld.

Michigan coach Erik Bakich told reporters after the game he had not yet had a chance to see the replay.

"Had he called him out and Louisville would have reviewed it, the call would have stood," Bakich said. "He called him safe and they reviewed it. The rule is very clear that it has to have clear evidence. I am sure that is what was said. That being said, yeah, it really sucks.”

And that’s when the Cardinals scored their runs off Cameron Weston, Michigan’s fourth pitcher in the game who handled the final three innings. Levi Usher’s single to center scored two runs to make it 9-9. The next batter, Cameron Masterman, hit a two-run home run to give Louisville the lead and eventual win.

Michigan took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, but Louisville responded in a big way with seven runs in the bottom of the inning, all scored with two outs to build a 7-2 lead.

The Wolverines began to chip away. In the third inning, the Wolverines made it 7-3 on a solo home run from Matt Frey, his 12th of the season. The game was delayed an hour and a half because of weather in the bottom of the third, and it seems Michigan used the break to hit the reset button.

With two out, Michigan scored four runs in the fifth inning to tie the game, 7-7. Clark Elliott homered for the 17th time this season to pull the Wolverines within three runs. After back-to-back singles by Joe Stewart and Frey, Jimmy Obertop scored the tying runs when he homered to right field.

Michigan took a 9-7 lead in the sixth inning on a home run by Burton and Joe Stewart's RBI single that scored Jake Marti.

"We had confidence the entire time," Stewart said. "I thought when we needed the big hits, we got them. We made some big plays when we needed to and I think if there were a few more innings there, we could have gotten a few more runs. But obviously, the game is just nine. It’s tough. It was a good battle by the offense.”

Obertop led Michigan with three RBIs, but Stewart, who bats second, was 4-for-5 and had two RBIs. The top of the order combined to go 9-of-14.

Monday's game was the third meeting between the teams. Michigan won, 7-3, on Saturday, before Louisville rolled on Sunday, 20-1, to set up Monday's elimination game.

"I am very proud of our team," Bakich said. "What you saw today was a microcosm of the whole season — the ability to take a punch and get knocked down and get up off the mat and keep fighting and no quit. Just the toughness and resiliency of the group.

"(This team) will always be remembered as one of the tougher teams that Michigan has ever seen. Credit to the upperclassmen for the last three weeks who have turned our season completely around.

"Dead in the water after a sweep in College Park and to even be where we are today, just credit to that group. The lessons they have learned over the last three weeks is knowing that they are never out of the fight. I couldn’t be more proud. It sucks the way it ended. But congratulations to Louisville. They have a great team."

achengelis@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @chengelis