Any coach who can hand out college scholarships is in a powerful position. For Michigan baseball coach Erik Bakich, that power comes with responsibility.
"We just think our roster should look like the United States of America. So we target a lot of inner city kids," Bakich told ESPN. "There’s a lot of great athletes out there and I think it’s ridiculous the cost of travel ball and some of these showcases. It negates opportunities for a lot of kids.
In the Wolverines' victory on Monday, one that moved them within three wins of the national championship, the heroes were both local and national. Pitcher Tommy Henry from Portage, Mich. twirled a three-hit shutout, while outfielder Jesse Franklin from Seattle blasted a first-inning homer that stood up as the winning run.
The insurance run came on an RBI single by Scottsdale, Ariz. native Jimmy Kerr, who drive in Ann Arbor's own Jordan Nwogu.
Michigan is now 2-0 in the double-elimination tournament and next plays on Friday against the winner of Wednesday's game between Florida State and Texas Tech.
Bakich, in his seventh season as head coach, was named Coach of the Year by the National College Baseball Writers Association on Saturday.