Wolverines Earn Road Win at Defiance, Battle Through Four-Game Stretch
UM-Dearborn secured a strong win behind timely hitting and pitching at Defiance, highlighting a four-game stretch that also featured a pair of tightly contested matchups against Aquinas.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan-Dearborn baseball team went 1-3 across a four-game stretch, highlighted by a series split at Defiance before dropping both ends of a home doubleheader against Aquinas.
Game One: Defiance 5, UM-Dearborn 4
UM-Dearborn opened the series with a hard-fought loss, rallying late but coming up just short.
Trailing 5-2 entering the seventh, the Wolverines mounted a comeback effort behind Max Granatstein, who delivered a two-RBI double to cut the deficit to one. Granatstein accounted for three RBIs in the game, also driving in a run earlier with another extra-base hit.
The Maize & Blue struck first in the opening inning and added a run in the fifth, but Defiance capitalized on a four-run stretch across the third and fourth innings to take control.
UM-Dearborn recorded seven hits, with Granatstein and James Forner each tallying multiple hits. Alex Schmitt scored twice in the contest.
On the mound, Brady Dion took the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) over 4.1 innings, while Cael Bedard provided solid relief to keep the Wolverines within striking distance.
Game Two: UM-Dearborn 4, Defiance 2
The Wolverines responded in game two with one of their most complete performances of the weekend, securing the split behind timely hitting and strong pitching.
UM-Dearborn broke through with a three-run third inning, highlighted by a solo home run from Alex Schmitt, an RBI sacrifice from Forner, and an RBI single from Lance Smith.
After Defiance trimmed the lead to 3-2 in the fourth, the Maize & Blue added an insurance run in the seventh as Smith delivered again with an RBI single.
The offense produced 12 hits, led by Connor Swiney with three, while Smith drove in two runs and Schmitt added a home run and two hits.
On the mound, Luis Gallardo turned in a strong outing, allowing just two runs over 7.1 innings to earn his first win of the season. Matt Cheetam closed the door with 1.2 scoreless innings, striking out two to secure the save.
Game Three: Aquinas 5, UM-Dearborn 2
Back at home, UM-Dearborn jumped out to an early lead but could not hold off Aquinas in the opener.
The Wolverines took a 2-0 advantage in the fourth inning on a two-RBI double from Granatstein, but Aquinas responded with three runs in the fifth to take the lead for good.
UM-Dearborn was limited to five hits despite drawing six walks, and the offense was unable to capitalize on multiple opportunities.
Game Four: Aquinas 4, UM-Dearborn 3 (11 Innings)
The finale proved to be the most competitive contest of the weekend, with the Wolverines battling back late before falling in extra innings.
Trailing 3-0 entering the ninth, UM-Dearborn staged a dramatic rally. RBI hits from Swiney, Forner, and Gavin Hampton tied the game and forced extras.
The Maize & Blue pitching staff combined to hold Aquinas to just three runs through nine innings, with strong relief work helping extend the game. However, Aquinas pushed across the go-ahead run in the 11th inning to secure the win.
