Louisville baseball season in jeopardy after Michigan dominates in Day 2 of NCAA regional

Michigan was a victor Saturday at the NCAA Baseball Louisville Regional.

As a result, host Louisville will need to do something valiant to advance to the super regional weekend.

The Wolverines’ 7-3 win Saturday at Jim Patterson Stadium put the Cardinals into the losers bracket and Michigan one win away from a regional title.

Michigan — the home team in Saturday’s game — hit back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a 3-1 lead it wouldn’t relinquish, padding its lead and staying in front thanks to timely pitching.

Louisville (39-19-1) went 4 for 19 with runners on base. Michigan (34-26) was 5 for 15 with runners on and drove in four two-out runs to the Cardinals’ one.

“We had opportunities and we just couldn’t get the big hit, and they did,” Louisville coach Dan McDonnell said. “So the momentum, the energy swings to their side. But we had opportunities throughout the game.”

Friday rewind: Jack Payton, Louisville baseball storm past SEMO in NCAA Tournament regional opener

Player of the Game

Michigan centerfielder Joe Stewart went 3 for 5, scored two runs and hit a long home run in the Wolverines’ three-run third inning that help set the tone for the win.

Turning point

Louisville starter Jared Poland cruised through the first two innings, facing the minimum three batters in each. He struck out the first two hitters he saw in the top of the third. But then Poland allowed a single to Jake Marti and a two-run home run to Clark Elliott. Stewart followed with a solo home run to deep center field, and Michigan was in front 3-1.

More: PHOTOS: Louisville baseball defeats Southeast Missouri State in NCAA tournament

What it means

Louisville needs three wins in the next two days to advance to the tournament’s second weekend and is one loss from elimination. Michigan can clinch the Louisville Regional with a win in Sunday’s second game, and the Wolverines would need two losses to be eliminated.

What’s next

Louisville faces Oregon, which knocked out Southeast Missouri State earlier Saturday 18-6, in an elimination game Sunday at noon. Michigan will await the winner of the game in Sunday’s second game at approximately 4 p.m. The winner of the early game would need to beat the Wolverines on Sunday and again Monday to advance.

How to watch Louisville-Oregon baseball Sunday

TV information is to be determined, but qualified subscribers can watch Sunday’s games via ESPN+, available via ESPN.com or the ESPN app. Mike Couzens and Roddy Jones will call the action. The game will air on the radio on 93.9 The Ville with Sean Moth providing the play-by-play.

What they said

“We’ve been playing playoff hockey now for weeks, and it’s to get ready for Game 7. And that’s where we’re at right now. We play Game 7 (Sunday) at noon.”

— Louisville coach Dan McDonnell on facing elimination against Oregon

“For that (second) AB, it was just kind of changing the approach a little bit and trying to be more on some offspeed pitches. Luckily (Poland) missed on a few and (I) got into a positive count and then was just looking for a fastball to smash over the heart. Luckily got one and got it in the air. Sometimes on a pitcher like that with really good stuff, you got to change the plan and take what he’s giving you, and that’s what we’re able to do.”

—Michigan centerfiedler Joe Stewart on his third-inning home run

“Louisville’s an excellent offensive team. One of the best we’ve seen all year. So some of that was luck. They hit some balls hard… . But it’s nine against one when you’re on defense. So if you’re the pitcher you got seven guys standing behind you wanting the ball. So it behooves you to throw it in the zone and let them play.”

—Michigan coach Erik Bakich on Louisville stranding 12 runners

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: NCAA Tournament baseball regional: Michigan pounces on Louisville