ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Michigan Wolverines scored three times in the bottom of the eighth inning, including a go-ahead two-run home run by Mitch Voit, to edge past the Milwaukee Panthers by a 3-1 score on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Freshman Camden Kuhnke made his first collegiate start on the mound and threw four shutout innings, while classmate Cole Spitzer was on next for the Panthers and made it through the seventh without allowing a run.

"I was proud of the effort we got from the two freshmen on the mound that had us with a lead in the eighth inning," said head coach Shaun Wegner postgame.
 
Milwaukee took a 1-0 advantage in the top of the fourth as Teige Lethert doubled to right centerfield to score Q Phillips, who worked a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch earlier in the inning.
 
A leadoff walk by Spitzer in the eighth was followed by the two-run home run by the Wolverines to erase the Panther lead. Michigan scored another run on a wild pitch later in the eighth to extend their lead to 3-1. "The leadoff walk will often end up costing you, and Voit made us pay," Wegner added.
 
Milwaukee had six hits on the day including two off the bat of Zach Lane, while Sean Tillmon, Lethert, and Gabe Roessler all had extra-base hits with doubles. Phillips and Thomas Otto each walked twice.
 
The Panthers had their share of baserunners throughout the game but were unable to cash in, ultimately stranding 10 runners on base for the game including two each in the fourth and sixth frames.

"I was disappointed in our offense and willingness to play connected-team baseball," Wegner said of his offense. "We had opportunities throughout the game and were unable to execute, and ultimately didn't deserve to win the game because of it."
 
Kuhnke pitched well allowing just one baserunner in each of the first three innings before being spotted the 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth. The first two batters reached against the right-hander in the bottom of the inning, but he was able to retire the next three to send the game to the fifth.
 
Spitzer came on was effective early, which included a stretch of retiring seven batters in a row before walking the first batter he faced in the eighth. Voit came up as a pinch hitter and fell behind in the count but was able to send the next pitch over the left centerfield fence to give Michigan its first lead of the game.
 
Tyler Deleskiewicz was able to get out of the eighth but gave up a run of his own on a double before a groundout and wild pitch gave the Wolverines a 3-1 advantage.
 
Milwaukee resumes Horizon League play on Friday evening, when the Panthers take on the Youngstown State Penguins at Eastwood Field in Niles, Ohio with first pitch set for 4:00 p.m.
 
The weather forecast is ominous for Friday, so fans are asked to stay tuned to MKEPanthers.com and @MKE_Baseball on X for updates to the schedule in the event of a change.