Michigan To Play For College Baseball Title [Video]
While the Tigers and the Whitecaps continue to struggle, there is good baseball news in the state, the University of Michigan baseball team will play for the national title.
The Wolverines emerged from pool play undefeated, and will square off against the Vanderbilt Commodores in a best of three playoff format starting tonight in Omaha.
The Wolverines spanked Texas Tech 15-3 Friday to advance to the championship round. Vanderbilt defeated Louisville 3-2 Saturday to clinch their berth.
Both teams went an undefeated 3-0 in their respective pools to earn the finals. Michigan has not won a national title since 1962, when Tiger great Bill Freehan was captain of the team. Interestingly, Freehan's grandson, Harrison Salter, is a member of this year's Michigan team.
Vanderbilt, meanwhile, has been a national baseball power for most of the 2010s, winning the title in 2014, earning second place in 2015, and third place in 2011.
College baseball has long been dominated by teams from the Southern tier of states. Last year, Oregon State won the first national title for a school north of the Mason-Dixon line since 1966. Michigan could make it two northern titles in a row.
The Wolverines are underdogs to Vanderbilt, who have a deep roster, and plenty of tournament experience on their team. That being said, don't count the Wolverines out, as they barely made the tournament, and have been defeating favored teams ever since. Go Blue!