Wolverines Split Road Doubleheader at Rochester Christian University

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. -- The University of Michigan-Dearborn baseball team split a Sunday doubleheader with Rochester Christian University, falling 3-1 in the opener before erupting late for a 13-10 comeback victory in game two. 

Game 1: Rochester Christian 3, Michigan-Dearborn 1

Michigan-Dearborn (5-15, 2-8) was held in check offensively in the opener, managing just four hits in the loss.

Rochester Christian struck first in the second inning, scoring twice on an RBI double and a run-producing double play to take a 2-0 lead.

The Wolverines responded in the fourth when Max Granatstein launched a solo home run to right center, cutting the deficit to 2-1. However, Rochester Christian answered in the bottom half with a solo home run to extend its lead back to two runs.

That would be enough support for Rochester Christian's pitching, which limited Michigan-Dearborn to one run while striking out 11.

Granatstein accounted for the lone RBI, while Darren Pagel, Connor Swiney, and Gavin Hampton each recorded a hit.

On the mound, Johnny Hesterman delivered a solid outing despite taking the loss, allowing three runs on six hits over six innings with five strikeouts.

Game 2: Michigan-Dearborn 13, Rochester Christian 10 (9 innings)

The Wolverines responded in a big way in game two, using a five-run eighth inning to rally for a 13-10 win in a back-and-forth contest.

Michigan-Dearborn jumped out early, scoring three runs in the third inning behind RBI hits from Brady Dion and Connor Swiney. Gavin Hollon added a solo home run in the fourth, and the Wolverines extended their lead to 8-3 with a four-run fifth inning highlighted by a two-run double from Beck Kjeldbjerg and another two-run double from Swiney.

Rochester Christian answered with a six-run stretch across the fifth and sixth innings to take a 10-8 lead, capitalizing on walks and defensive miscues.

Trailing entering the eighth, Michigan-Dearborn mounted its decisive rally. An RBI walk by Kjeldbjerg cut the deficit to one before Darren Pagel delivered a two-run single to give the Wolverines the lead. Gavin Hampton followed with an RBI single, and an additional run scored during the sequence to cap a five-run inning and put Michigan-Dearborn ahead 13-10.

Offensively, Kjeldbjerg led the way with three RBI, while Swiney added four RBI on two doubles. Pagel drove in two, and Granatstein reached base four times and scored three runs.

On the mound, Zack Lemke earned the win in relief, allowing two runs—both unearned—over 1.2 innings while striking out four. Brady Dion closed the game with two scoreless innings to secure the save.