Arizona wins the Ann Arbor Regional

Arizona defeated Kentucky last night 5-3, handing Kentucky their second and eliminating loss. Earlier in the day Kentucky won a rematch with Michigan, winning 12-6 and eliminating the Wolverines.

Well done Arizona, now, go take your regional title and do something with it...

Oh boy, awful news for Michigan baseball, Big Ten player of the year Nate Recknagel is injured and done

The Ann Arbor News is reporting Recknagel is done in this weekend's regional action. In this morning's continuation of last night's weather delayed game, first baseman Recknagel was forced to make a catch into a runner and left the game clutching his left hand.

Again, Michigan and Arizona on a cool, clear night in the 60's at 7 pm

EMU bows out of the NCAA baseball tourney with a 4-3 loss to Kentucky

EMU fought hard, even outhitting the Kentucky side 9-7 but on the left side of the ledger where it matters it was Kentucky one better today. Whereas yesterday the pitching gave up too many runs, today the pitching was excellent. Matt Shoemaker went 7 and a third strong innings giving up 7 hits, striking out 4 and walking only 1. EMU's offense was paced by Steve Bradshaw and Jeff Davis. Senior Andrew Albers was most effective in relief for Kentucky. Eastern finishes up the 2008 campaign with a 25-34 record and back to back MAC crowns.

So Kentucky's Wildcats await the loser of tonight's 7 pm tilt between Michigan and Arizona. That'll be the first game on the morrow.

NCAA baseball regionals tomorrow at U-M

Buy Johnny some peanuts and Cracker Jack, we're talking college baseball and specifically the regional starting tomorrow featuring Eastern Michigan, Michigan, Kentucky and Arizona. Eastern Michigan plays Arizona's Wildcats at 2 pm and Michigan plays Kentucky's Wildcats (what, couldn't Northern Michigan have been invited too?) at 7 pm.

#1 seed Arizona actually started out ranked #2 overall at the beginning of the season. They finished 38-17 (12-12 Pac-10, fourth place). Fourth place? Seriously? And they are the #1 seed here?

#2 Michigan won the Big Ten and has Big Ten player of the Year 1B Nate Recknagel. Michigan finished 45-12 (26-5 Big Ten, first place).

#3 Kentucky who starts a Canton product, Chris Rusin, started the season at 19-0 before finishing at 42-17 (16-14 SEC, third place in East Division).

#4 Eastern Michigan started the season the opposite way of Kentucky, at 0-17 before rallying to win both the MAC West regular season title and the MAC tournament. EMU finished at 25-32 (15-8 Mid-American Conference, first place in West Division).

OK, we like Michigan to beat Kentucky. Michigan is a solid offensive team, has been playing extremely well of late, get to sleep in their own beds and play at home. We also like EMU to spring a huge upset over Arizona in game 1. Why? Simple, EMU has been tearing the hide off of the ball and if you think Eastern is going to see Arizona's top two pitchers in what to them is a walkover game, you're fooling yourself. Arizona will save their aces for later games vs teams they think will give them trouble. We're not picking EMU to come out of this region (we pick Michigan) but we DO think they can steal game 1. Incidentally this would set up a game between U-M and Eastern, their third this year, one was close, won by the Wolverines on a Nate Recknagel walkoff home run and Michigan destroyed EMU in the other. Hey, Eastern beat Arizona last year after all so why not tomorrow?

Michigan to win the region, EMU to upset Arizona in game 1. Past that you're gonna have to watch.

All games are being played at the University of Michigan's Wilpon Baseball Complex. Ticket info available HERE

Eastern Michigan AND U-M both start the NCAA baseball tourney Friday, in Ann Arbor

More on this later in the week but the four team in Ann Arbor this weekend's regional action are #1 Arizona who will play #4 seed EMU at 2 pm Friday and #2 seed Michigan vs #3 seed Kentucky at 7 pm. Winners play winners and losers play losers in this double elimination event.

EMU and Michigan to face off on the diamond today and tomorrow

Eastern Michigan will make the long trek down Washtenaw Avenue to play Michigan today and tomorrow at Fischer Stadium on the campus of U-M.

Gametime today is at 6:30 pm and the first pitch tomorrow is at 3:05. No, PM

Eastern Michigan will also head back into MAC play this weekend hosting Western Michigan in a triple header of action. EMU will host the sissy Broncos Friday, Saturday and if that weren't enough, Sunday as well. Respective gametimes at Oestrike Stadium will be Friday at 6, Saturday at 3 and Sunday at 1.

EMU is 10-22 overall and yet 7-2 in MAC play.