After starting at catcher behind home plate in the first two games of the Big Ten Tournament for Michigan, Will Rogers was asked to reverse roles and take the bump on Friday in an elimination game against Illinois.
He didn’t disappoint as the No. 4 seed Wolverines advanced to the semifinals over the No. 1 seed fighting Illini, 4-2. On the mound, Rogers threw 8.2 innings of three hit baseball, carrying a no-hitter through seven complete innings. Plus, he stayed in the lineup and mustered a 2-for-4 night with an RBI double in the 8th inning for good measure.
Speaking with Big Ten Network after the game, Rogers was mum about his success.
“I really expected nothing. I told myself before the game I was going to take it one pitch at a time and just keep going and keep getting outs and you’re going to have to pull me off the field. So that’s what did,” Rogers said.
And he got some of the outs in exciting fashion, including kicking a ball to first baseman Collin Priest to keep the no hitter alive in the 6th inning.
On a line drive hit right back to Rogers at foot level, he didn’t intend to use his left foot to send the ball caroming toward first base, but the net effect looked like he deftly deflected the 99 mile per hour hit right to an awaiting defender.
“My foot’s not happy about it,” Rogers said. “So no, it just ended up working off and I kind of just tried to walk it off and ended up looking like I was just walking off the field, so thanks Priest for getting that one.”
Then in the 7th inning Rogers was potentially in line to get pulled, despite the no hitter remaining intact. Head coach Tracy Smith came out for a mound visit, but it just turned out to be giving Rogers a bit of rest.
Amid the breather, the gathered Wolverines shared a laugh, which Rogers said was borne out of his conviction of staying in.
And getting to hit, Rogers said, might’ve helped him keep the no hitter out of mind.
“It’s the best part,” Rogers said. “It just gives you no time to really think. You have to get ready as soon as you get off the mound. Alright, I’m a hitter. Batting gloves go on. And same thing once your at bat is over. It’s time to flip the switch to being a pitcher.”
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