Bruins Blast Wolverines: Michigan’s Pitching Issues Continue in 22-5 Loss
The Michigan Wolverines’ pitching woes continued on Wednesday, as they suffered a brutal 22-5 loss to the UCLA Bruins. The defeat marked the third consecutive game in which Michigan’s pitching staff has struggled, raising concerns about the team’s ability to compete against top-tier opponents.
From the outset, it was clear that Michigan’s pitching was in for a long day. UCLA’s leadoff hitter, Jordan Prendiz, homered on the first pitch of the game, setting the tone for a Bruins’ offense that would go on to score 22 runs on 18 hits.
Michigan’s starting pitcher, Noah Rennard, lasted just 2.1 innings, surrendering seven runs on six hits. The Wolverines’ bullpen fared no better, as relievers Willie Weiss and Jack White combined to allow 15 runs on 12 hits over the final 6.2 innings.
“We just didn’t pitch well,” Michigan head coach Erik Bakich said. “We didn’t execute, and we paid the price. We’ve got to do a better job of throwing strikes and getting outs.”
The loss was Michigan’s third in a row, and dropped the Wolverines to 8-10 on the season. While the team’s offense has shown flashes of brilliance, the pitching staff’s struggles have been a persistent problem.
“We’re just not pitching well enough to win,” Bakich said. “We’re giving up too many runs, and it’s hard to overcome that. We’ve got to get better on the mound.”
The Wolverines will look to bounce back on Friday, when they host the Ohio State Buckeyes in the opening game of a three-game series. With the Big Ten season heating up, Michigan will need to find a way to shore up its pitching staff if it hopes to compete for a conference title.
As for UCLA, the Bruins’ 22-5 win marked their fifth consecutive victory. The team’s offense has been on fire of late, scoring 10 or more runs in four of its last five games.
“We’re feeling good right now,” UCLA head coach John Savage said. “Our offense is clicking, and our pitching is doing a great job of shutting down opposing lineups. We’re playing well, and we’re excited to see where this season takes us.”
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