Michigan
8-1
Georgia Tech
2-8
Wolverines Dominate Georgia Tech to Cap Perfect Weekend
2/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 15, 2015
Site: Tallahassee, Fla. (JoAnne Graf Field)
Event: Unconquered Invitational (Day 3)
Scores: #8 Michigan 10, Georgia Tech 2 (5 inn.)
Records: U-M (8-1), GT (2-8)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Feb. 20 -- vs. Lipscomb at Easton Bama Bach (Tuscaloosa, Ala.), 1:30 p.m. CST
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The No. 8-ranked University of Michigan softball team wrapped its appearance at the Unconquered Invitational in similarly dominant fashion as it began, earning a 10-2, five-inning decision against Georgia Tech on Sunday morning (Feb. 15) at JoAnne Graf Field. It was U-M's third run-rule decision this weekend and second against the Yellow Jackets.
Junior shortstop Sierra Romero paced the Wolverines from the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore second baseman Abby Ramirez also tallied two hits, going 2-for-2 with an RBI. Eight different Wolverines recorded an RBI, including freshman first baseman Tera Blanco who earned two on a pair of bases-loaded walks. U-M accepted 11 walks in the contest.
Senior RHP Sara Driesenga earned the victory from the circle, improving to 3-0 on the year with a three-strikeout, four-hit effort through five innings.
The Wolverines used patience at the plate to jump on Georgia Tech early, scoring four runs in the opening frame off three hits and four walks. Michigan loaded the bases on the first three batters before senior catcher Lauren Sweet accepted a four-pitch walk and junior rightfielder Kelsey Susalla sent a high sacrifice fly into rightfield for the game's first runs. Romero stole home in the next at-bat and after two more walks, Ramirez singled to shortstop to score Sweet from third base.
After walking in another Michigan run in the second, the Yellow Jackets spoiled Driesenga's shutout bid with two runs off three hits in the top of the fifth, including back-to-back base hits to rightfield from Kelsey Chisholm and Samantha Pierannunzi.
Michigan responded with five runs in the home half of the inning to end the game. Freshman second baseman Amanda Vargas was hit by the first pitch of the inning, advanced on a sacrifice bunt and scored from second base on a Romero roped single to rightfield. The Wolverines scored three more runs on a sharp comebacker from freshman Aidan Falk and two RBI walks to bring Vargas back to the plate with the bases loaded and two down. The Wolverine rookie smacked a single into centerfield to drive in the game-ending run.
The Wolverines will head to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, for the annual Easton Bama Bash next weekend (Fri-Sun., Feb. 20-22), opening play against Lipscomb (1:30 p.m. CST) and host Alabama (4 p.m.) on Friday at Rhoads Stadium.
N O T E S
• Michigan improved to 4-0 in the all-time series against Georgia Tech.
• Michigan hit .305 at the Unconquered Invitational -- a 93-point improvement from its opening weekend.
• The Wolverines' 11 walks today was their most since similarly taking 11 against Notre Dame in 2012.
• Sophomore Abby Ramirez posted her first multi-hit game of the season and 11th of her career.
• Sophomore Kelly Christner has reached base in all nine games this season.
• Junior Kelsey Susalla had her career-long six-game hitting streak snapped. She accepted two walks.
• Freshman Nikki Wald scored her first collegiate run in the fifth inning.
• Senior RHP Sara Driesenga allowed her first earned runs of the season against Georgia Tech. She boasts a 0.67 ERA through five appearances.
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Carol Hutchins
On challenging the team to improve after last weekend ... "They got together and discussed ideas that they thought could help the team. I thought they really took some control and ownership. I told them I was open to what they wanted to do, because they're the ones who make it so. They did a great job with it."
On the team's energy ... "You can't always control other aspects, whether you get hits or if your pitches actually work or get called. But you can always control your mental approach. It's really the big-girl part of the game. The game can be hard, and you have to control what you can control and let go of everything else. Against Florida State, we found a way to be one-pitch better. That's good enough. We controlled our process much better, and that is part of the process -- staying in your moment, not getting too high or too low. They were genuinely excited to be on the field every pitch over the weekend. They took responsibility for themselves. We weren't perfect at all, but we were really resilient. I really like where we're at."
On the freshmen stepping up this weekend ... "We think our freshmen are pretty capable of helping us. We're going to need them. The freshmen are here to help contribute. Amanda Vargas had some fantastic at-bats; she'll get more opportunities. Aidan [Falk] is really a student of the game. I'm really pleased with the effort she puts into it. She wants to help us any way she can. We saw some good moments. We're certainly not where we need to be in some categories, but with the part of the game we do control, we're doing a nice job."
On the Wolverine pitching staff ... "We needed all of them to beat [Florida State]. I think what's notable is they all understand. They're pretty selfless that way. That's a good quality. I did tell [Megan] Betsa in the game second, 'Finish your own game. Pitch to beat them.' They need to continue to keep getting better too in their presence and focusing on what they want, not what could happen. I tell them to accept the risk of being a pitcher, because there's always the risk that they can hit you. But know that your good pitches will beat their good hitters."
On earning tough, ranked wins early in the season ... "We need to face the good teams to get harden and tougher, because that's what makes you better. Whether you win them or lose them, we need to learn how to play them and how to win them. We schedule them for a reason. Our schedule does not let up. We go to Alabama next week, then Arizona State and Fullerton. It's good. Hopefully we can learn to just keep playing every day and show up the same. We can't focus on our opponent; we just need to focus on playing. We were really good at that this weekend."
U-M Senior Catcher Lauren Sweet
On the weekend sweep ... "We came out ready to go this weekend. We had a ton of energy. That's what set us apart this weekend. That energy brings confidence to our hitters, to our pitchers and everybody. We were here and ready to go. We're excited about that. Now we need to bring that every weekend."
On her hitting improvement from last weekend ... "The biggest thing for me is my confidence. This weekend, I was just really confident up there, and I was up there to get it done. That's what really changed for me from the first weekend to this. I was a little bit iffy about myself, worried I was going to get out, but this weekend I went out there and gave it all I had. I was confident and seeing the ball really well.
On the Wolverine pitchers ... "We have a great pitching staff. They know that they're a staff, and when someone isn't getting it done, someone else will come in to get it done. They did an awesome job with that this weekend; they really picked each other up."
Communications Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Driesenga, Sara (3-0)
L: Biggerstaff (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Chisholm, K 1
RBI: Pierannunzi 1 ; Johnsky, K 1
SH: Thomas, C 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Pierannunzi 1 ; Chisholm, K 1
Batting:
2B: Ramirez, Abby 1
RBI: Romero, Sierra 1 ; Sweet, Lauren 1 ; Falk, Aidan 1 ; Susalla, Kelsey 1 ; Blanco, Tera 2 ; Swearingen, Taylor 1 ; Ramirez, Abby 1 ; Vargas, Amanda 1
SH: Lawrence, Sierra 1
SF: Susalla, Kelsey 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lawrence, Sierra 1 ; Christner, Kelly 1 ; Romero, Sierra 2 ; Wagner, Haylie 1 ; Wald, Nikki 1 ; Sweet, Lauren 1 ; Falk, Aidan 1 ; Susalla, Kelsey 1 ; Vargas, Amanda 1
SB: Sweet, Lauren 1
HBP: Romero, Sierra 1 ; Wagner, Haylie 1 ; Vargas, Amanda 1
