(Photo: Ringo H.W. Chiu, Associated Press)
Los Angeles — Karl Kauffman and Jeff Criswell combined on a four-hitter, helping Michigan beat No. 1 national seed UCLA 3-2 Friday night in the opening game of the Los Angeles super regional.
Kauffman (10-6), a junior right-hander who was selected No. 77 overall in the Major League Baseball draft by the Colorado Rockies on Monday, allowed one hit and one walk through eight innings before Criswell came on to hold off UCLA in the bottom of the ninth.
The Wolverines (45-19), making their first super regional appearance since 2007, are one win from returning to the College World Series for the first time since 1984.