ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Interstat) — In a Tuesday afternoon nonconference clash defined by a chaotic start and a dominant finish from the bullpen, the Michigan Wolverines rallied from an early four-run deficit to defeat the Central Michigan Chippewas 6-4 at Ray Fisher Stadium.

The Chippewas (10-17) stunned the home crowd in the top of the first inning, plating four runs before Michigan starter Erik Puodziunas could record an out. The inning featured a leadoff double by Webb, two walks, a hit batsman and a pair of lengthy replay reviews, one of which upheld a safe call at third base and another that confirmed a fielder’s choice out at the plate.

Michigan (18-14) immediately began chipping away in the bottom half against Central Michigan starter Max Hammond. The Wolverines loaded the bases with one out and scored twice on consecutive walks by Brayden Jefferis and Longo, cutting the deficit in half.

The game turned decisively in the second inning. After a pitching change, Michigan’s Turner drove in a run on a fielder’s choice. Evan Haeger then tied the game with an RBI triple to right field. Following another pitching change and a hit batsman, Haeger scampered home on a wild pitch to give Michigan its first lead at 5-4. Jefferis followed with a sharp RBI single through the left side, capping a four-run frame and putting the Wolverines ahead for good.

The most important part of the game was the collective effort of the Michigan bullpen, which silenced the Chippewas over the final 5 2/3 innings. After Central Michigan loaded the bases and scored twice in the sixth on a two-run single by Loikits to pull within 6-4, Michigan coach called upon Brandon Mann. The right-hander entered with two outs and a runner on first, striking out Webb on a dropped third strike to end the threat.

Mann was exceptional, earning top star honors for Michigan by retiring all 10 batters he faced over 3 1/3 perfect innings of relief to secure the win. His outing stabilized the game after the Chippewas had threatened to erase Michigan’s hard-earned lead.

Central Michigan’s bullpen was equally effective after the rocky start, but the early damage proved insurmountable. Five Chippewas relievers — Jack Griffiths, Nate Ross, Mitchell Tarnowski, Jack Potteiger and the starter Hammond — combined for 8 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. Griffiths led the group with three hitless frames.

Michigan finished with seven hits, two from Jefferis who drove in two runs. Central Michigan managed five hits, with Loikits collecting two RBIs.

The victory extended Michigan’s recent momentum, while Central Michigan continued a season marked by narrow defeats. The Wolverines next travel to East Lansing for a three-game series against Michigan State beginning Friday. The Chippewas open a Mid-American Conference series at Bowling Green on Friday.

According to pregame projections, Interstat’s game simulator had predicted a 5-3 Michigan victory, while its ELO system gave the Wolverines a 78.1% probability to win.