THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,805 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,805 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Sign in Create Account
Sign in Create Account
College  | Story | 6/24/2019

Michigan takes CWS Finals lead

Nick Herfordt
Photo: Tommy Henry (Michigan Athletics)

OMAHA, Neb. – It’s hard not to think back on Michigan’s memorable run to, and now through, the 2019 College World Series considering how close they were to having their season come to an end, multiple times, well before their 7-4 victory over Vanderbilt in game one of the CWS Finals.

The Michigan Wolverines ended their regular season in a tailspin. They squandered their final two series to Indiana and Nebraska as well as a midweek matchup against Kentucky to put their once promising postseason prospects in severe jeopardy. With a 38-16 record their résumé was likely good enough to receive an at-large bid, but in a crowded, competitive national field they’d need a little more oomph to impress the selection committee and ensure they’d continue playing.

With the upcoming Big Ten Conference Tournament in Omaha, they’d be looking to seal their selection. Alas, their losing ways continued. They dropped their opener in the tournament and their season was suddenly on life support. Another defeat would certainly send them home for the summer.

In what could be their final game of 2019 the Wolverines found themselves in the precarious position of being down by a run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Yet with two outs and runners on first and third, Jordan Nwogu hit a walk-off double against the national saves leader (Garrett Acton of Illinois) to keep Michigan’s season alive.  Two more wins would follow which pushed their season total to a more robust 41. Although they would fall short in capturing the conference title, the three elimination wins proved to be enough to earn them inclusion to the NCAA Tournament. Based on the seedings the Wolverines were one of the final four to make the field, but nevertheless they were in.

“It's been one more game at a time, one more day with each other,” Michigan head coach Erik Bakich remarked. “They've truly – they've celebrated each day of the postseason like it's been a gift because it was a very – it was a reality. We were done. If we don't come back and beat Illinois and go 0-2 in the Big Ten tournament, the season is over.

“In fact, if we don't beat Maryland the next day, the season is still probably over. If we don't beat Nebraska in game one of the doubleheader, the season might be over. Every win that we got was critical. We were one of the last four teams in.”

Michigan advanced out of the Corvallis Regional, advancing past defending national champion Oregon State, upstart Creighton and Cincinnati to earn a trip to face top-ranked UCLA in Super Regional play.

The Wolverines and Bruins traded blows in a tightly contested series. The heavily favored Bruins had the tying runs on base and the go-ahead run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth of the winner-take-all game, yet Michigan ultimately prevailed to advance to the College World Series for the eighth time in school history and first since 1984.

Michigan’s resurgence continued in Omaha as they earned three wins to advance to the championship series. Despite their resurrection and winning ways they’d be underdogs to Vanderbilt. The Commodores, who earned the 2014 national title and were the runner-ups in 2015, were a combined 11-1 against CWS competition following their most recent win and had won 33 of their last 36 games. However, just like the Wolverine’s skin-of-their-teeth entry into the extended postseason, that was all in the past. The only thing that mattered now was who was the better team the next few nights.

Nwogu led off game one of the CWS championship series with a walk but was thrown out at third after over-aggressively trying get an extra base following a Jesse Franklin single up the middle. The play at third allowed Franklin to advance to second and put early pressure on Vanderbilt starter Drake Fellows. Jordan Brewer sliced an offering down the right field line which gave the Wolverines the early lead. After early extended meeting on the mound Fellows regained his composure to strike out Jimmy Kerr, but a Blake Nelson single increased UM’s lead to two.

Michigan’s starting pitcher Tommy Henry, who had thrown a complete game three-hitter against Florida State earlier in Omaha, overpowered the Vanderbilt bats in the bottom of the first. He needed just seven pitches to retire the .406 hitting Austin Martin, the nation’s home run leader JJ Bleday and Ethan Paul, who was drafted in the ninth round of the 2019 MLB Amateur Draft. The early dominance would be indicative of what was to come.

Meanwhile the second inning continued to be cumbersome for VU’s starter Fellows. Jack Blomgren walked and advanced to second on a passed ball. A haunting walk to Joe Donovan doubled the Wolverine’s scoring potential. Ako Thomas, the club’s No. 9 hitter, made the most of his opportunity and doubled down the left field line. Blomgren crossed the plate to increase the lead to three and Donovan safely advanced to third. He would score two batters later on a sacrifice to tally a fourth run.

Vanderbilt showed some spark to start the second with a Philip Clarke single. A pair of swinging strikeouts looked like the threat would be extinguished, but back-to-back singles moved Clarke around to score. An untimely passed ball by Michigan catcher Joe Donovan, his 21st of the spring, cut the lead to two as it allowed a second run to score. Nevertheless, Henry struck out Julian Infante to end the inning and the Commodores’ scoring threat.

After barely surviving the first two innings, Fellows looked like a completely different pitcher in the third inning. He struck out the Michigan side on 11 pitches and it appeared that momentum could be shifting to Vanderbilt. A ruckus Commodore fan contingent roared with every pitch, yet Michigan’s Henry continued to dominate. Every time Vanderbilt threatened he’d come up with a timely strikeout or induce batter to feebly ground out. Rarely did ball leave the infield and never did he lose composure.

Zeroes filed the box score the next three innings and the score remained 4-2 headed into the bottom of the sixth.

JJ Bleday, the Southeastern Conference player of the year, crushed Henry’s first offering over the right field bullpen cut the lead to one. It was Bleday’s nation-leading 27th home run of the season. Vanderbilt was back within one with Michigan holding a slim 4-3 lead. The inning should have been over soon after, but a throwing error allowed the potential tying run to get on base. To make matters worse, Henry uncharacteristically uncorked a pair of wild pitches to advance the runner 90 feet from the plate. However, as quickly as the Vanderbilt scoring threat was lit, it was abruptly extinguished by Henry as he recorded a strikeout to end the inning.

Michigan increased their lead to begin the next frame. Following a Jordan Brewer single, Jimmy Kerr pulverized a ball into the right field, his third home run of the CWS, to build the lead back up to 6-3. It was a no-doubt blast from the moment the head of the bat made contact wit the ball.

Henry was back in control in the bottom of the seventh. An efficient seven pitch, 1-2-3 inning sent the game into the eighth.

Wolverine catcher Joe Donovan started the octal inning by depositing a ball deep into the TD Ameritrade Park bleachers. It was his ninth home run of the season and increased the lead to 7-3. It appeared the game could get completely lopsided as Michigan was able to fill the bases with only one out, but a pair of foul outs kept Vanderbilt within striking distance.

The score remained 7-3 in the ninth inning and Henry took to the mound in an effort to throw his second complete game of the season, but was lifted after a runner advanced to third. Vanderbilt would trim the lead to 7-4 following a sacrifice fly, but Jeff Criswell would instigate the final two outs to close the game for Michigan.

Despite Henry falling two outs short from the complete game, he was the unquestioned hero for Michigan.

“That's what we needed, we needed a guy to put the team on his back, so to speak,” Bakch stated after the game. “He's been a great captain, great leader, an inspiration to a lot of younger pitchers about what hard work looks like, and showing up here tonight.”

Now, playing in the very same stadium where they were on precipice of having their year come to a close. The Michigan Wolverines are now a game away from being the national champions.
Give us your feedback
College | Rankings | 3/9/2026

College Top 25: March 9
Vincent Cervino
Article Image
Collegiate Player Report Database While there will not be any new faces in this weeks Top 25, there is quite a bit of shakeup as the season, somehow, becomes even more unpredictable.  There were several teams in the poll that dropped weekend series and, in some cases, registered losing records in the last seven days.  There is sure to be more chaos this week as virtually every conference starts league play and the race for regular season titles begins.  The UCLA Bruins (13-2) remain No. 1 as their sizzling hot bats led the way to a perfect (4-0) week and they swept their first Big Ten series of the year.  As one of only two remaining undefeated teams in the nation, the Texas Longhorns (15-0) jump to No. 2 before they open SEC play this weekend in Austin.  No. 3 Georgia Tech and No. 4 Mississippi State both (14-2) hold their spots in the poll after both dropped a...
Read More
Press Release | Press Release | 3/7/2026

Debut: Contreras YouTube Feature

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
    667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME DEBUTS NEW YOUTUBE FEATURE FOLLOWING JOSEPH CONTRERAS ON HISTORIC DAY BEFORE WBC   Behind-the-scenes access captures the youngest player in the World Baseball Classic preparing for the global stage   Sanford, Florida (Friday, March 6, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced the debut of a new original YouTube feature spotlighting right-handed pitcher Joseph Contreras, as PG cameras followed him throughout the day of his final high school start before departing to join Team Brazil in the World Baseball Classic.   The feature provides exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to one...
Read More
Softball | Softball Tournament | 3/4/2026

Perfect Game Softball March Madness

Ashley Mears
Article Image
2026 Perfect Game March Madness February 27-March 1st Ashley Mears What a weekend at the Fun City Dome in Burlington, Iowa! The energy was electric from first pitch to final out towering home runs, edge-of-your-seat battles, dramatic comebacks, and extra-inning thrillers with some unpredictable endings, it was a great weekend all around. The Top Performers list welcomed some exciting new names, while seasoned seniors continued to cement their legacies, delivering standout performances week after week. For some, this may have been their final appearance on a Perfect Game stage, and they made sure it was unforgettable. In the 18u division a tough Nebraska Gold 319 Berning team outlasted the Southeast Iowa All Stars in the championship. In 16u the Top Gun 2028- Strange completed their weekend by beating the Iowa Aries 16U CE Fire Black. 18U The weekend’s Most Valuable Player award...
Read More
High School | General | 3/5/2026

High School Notebook: March 5

Steve Fiorindo
Article Image
Full BP & pregame I/O from ‘26 SS Keon Johnson. Whippy hands and lifted to the middle of the field throughout the rounds, athletic mover on the dirt & enough arm strength to stick on the left side. #4 in @PG_Georgia & #50 on the @PG_Draft Board. #PGHS @FPDVikingSports https://t.co/vYvReQKTVh pic.twitter.com/BksHJtA09X — Cam McElwaney (@CamMcElwaneyPG) February 20, 2026 Keon Johnson, SS, First Presbyterian Day Johnson has long been near the top of the 2026 rankings and it all culminated in being a PG All-American last August. He heads into the spring as one of the names to know in the upcoming MLB Draft and is drawing crowds to his high school in Macon. It’s a well-built 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame with good actions up the middle. The defensive acumen has continued to improve over the last few years and now looks comfortable at shortstop and even projects there...
Read More
College | Rankings | 3/4/2026

DII/DIII/NAIA Rankings Update: March 4

Nick Herfordt
Article Image
The 2026 college baseball season is starting to reveal its early storylines, and across the Division II and Division III landscape a few programs have already forced their way into the spotlight. From the blistering start by the Pittsburg State Gorillas baseball that rocketed them to the top of the rankings, to the steadily rising championship ambitions of the Taylor Trojans baseball, the national picture is beginning to take shape. In Division III, heavyweight programs like the Trinity Tigers baseball and the Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks baseball have already traded blows in one of the season’s first statement series, while emerging challengers such as the Keene State Owls baseball are looking to turn early momentum into a breakout year. With many teams still just getting their seasons underway, the rankings remain fluid, but the early results are already giving us clues...
Read More
Juco | Rankings | 3/4/2026

JUCO Top 25: March 4

Troy Sutherland
Article Image
Another week down as we get into conference play in parts of the nation. This week is led by Chipola at No. 1 with an impressive 24-1 record. Walters State drops to No. 2 at 16-3 and Florida SouthWestern State College (17-5) follows closely behind. Powerhouse programs  McLennan Community College (11-2) and Johnson County Community College (18-2) round out the top five, while one-loss teams Fresno City, Ohlone, and Cloud County are quickly climbing into the national conversation. With traditional Texas powers, West Coast contenders, and deep Florida Juco rosters all in the mix, the race for Grand Junction is already taking shape.   Rk. Team Record 1 Chipola (FL) 24-1 2 Walters State (TN) 16-3 3 Florida Southwestern (FL) 17-5 4 McLennan (TX) 11-2 5 Johnson County (KS) 18-2 6 Gaston (NC) 20-2 7 Blinn (TX) 12-6 8 Florence-Darlington (SC) 18-5 9 Northwest Florida (FL) 16-8 10...
Read More
High School | Rankings | 3/3/2026

High School Top 50 Update: March 3

Tyler Russo
Article Image
As we get rolling deeper into the spring here in the southern states, other states are only a few weeks away from their seasons beginning and some are even starting the day this will be posted. We’ve concluded the first major event on the high school schedule, the PG High School Showdown, and it was an epic weekend in Hoover. The event was littered with talent and these rankings reflect just that. St. John Bosco (CA) holds onto the first spot in this update and are being pushed by an IMG Academy (FL) team that’s 8-0 after winning the High School Showdown as well as beating two preseason top-10 teams in the first few weeks of the season. Orange Lutheran (CA) holds onto the No. 3 spot after a 1-0 start to the year and just a few weeks away from NHSI. A trio of Florida schools follow Olu in South Walton (FL), fresh off a win at the HS Showdown, Venice (FL), a surging team...
Read More
Press Release | Press Release | 3/3/2026

PG & RaceTrac Expand Partnership

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME AND RACETRAC ANNOUNCE EXPANDED PARTNERSHIP   Sanford, Florida (Tuesday, March 3, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced an expanded partnership with RaceTrac, naming the convenience store brand the Official Convenience Store of Perfect Game in Georgia and Florida. The enhanced relationship significantly broadens RaceTrac’s presence across Perfect Game’s premier tournament venues and digital platforms, deepening its engagement with players, families, coaches and fans throughout two of the most active youth baseball markets in the country.   As part of the expanded agreement, RaceTrac will launch a robust...
Read More
College | Story | 3/3/2026

College Players of the Week: March 3

Craig Cozart
Article Image
March 3 Perfect Game/Player of the Week:  Cider Canon, OF, Duke  The Duke Blue Devils (11-3) went through massive changes in the offseason, with a new coaching staff and heavy roster turnover like is often seen in the college game today.  That hasn’t held them back as they have kind of flown under the radar on their way to a tie for the most wins in the nation.  They won 4 out 5 games last week and Cider Canon was the driving force behind their offensive onslaught.  The 5-11/180 outfielder from San Marino, CA put together an incredible week collecting 9 hits in 14 at-bats, good for a .643 BA, scoring 7 runs, with 3 walks, 4 home runs and driving in a total of 10 runs.  After a successful couple years at Davidson College, Cider made the trip north to Durham and has fit right into the Blue Devil’s high-octane offense.  For the season, he is...
Read More
High School | General | 3/2/2026

HS Showdown Scout Notes: Days 2-3

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
High School Showdown Event Page | High School Showdown Preview High School Showdown Scout Notes: Day 1 An extended look at ‘26 3B/RHP Coleman Borthwick (FL)… 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 8 K, 0 BB #PGShowdown @SWseahawks @Florida_PG @PG_Draft https://t.co/IHJFWFbn4T pic.twitter.com/I2izGcEdyA — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) February 28, 2026 Coleman Borthwick (2026, Freeport, Fla.) was excellent over the weekend, securing MVP honors and delivering one of the best starts of the event on the mound. At 6-foot-6, 255-pounds, Borthwick is an ultra-physical prospect and one of the top two-way prospects in the draft. The Auburn signee drew the biggest crowd of MLB scouts in attendance as there were around 50 or 60 so lined up behind home plate on Friday morning. Borthwick was nothing short of dominant, striking out eight hitters and...
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2026 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.