Wolverines Power Past Kent State with Three-Run Sixth

Sunday, March 15

Ann Arbor, Mich.

1:00 PM

Michigan

24-4

Kent State

12-6

Kent State

Michigan

Wolverines Power Past Kent State with Three-Run Sixth

3/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

March 15, 2015

• Box Score | Quotes | Notes

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Softball Complex)
Score: #3 Michigan 4, Kent State 1
Records: U-M (24-4), KSU (12-6)
Next U-M Event: Wednesday, March 18 -- vs. Bowling Green (Wilpon Softball Complex), 4 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 3-ranked University of Michigan softball team knocked out a pair of home runs to rally from an initial deficit and earn a 4-1 decision in the rubber match against Kent State on Sunday afternoon (March 15) at the Wilpon Softball Complex, home of Alumni Field.

Sophomore leftfielder Kelly Christner and freshman first baseman Tera Blanco both went 2-for-3 with a home run and two runs batted in apiece. Blanco drove in the tying run in the fifth inning, before the duo belted out their long balls two batters apart in the sixth.

Sophomore RHP Megan Betsa (11-2) fanned 10 KSU batters -- her third double-digit strikeout effort this season -- and allowed five hits and one walk to claim the pitchers' duel. The Golden Flashes' Emma Johnson, who stumped U-M a day ago, struck out eight while giving up four runs on five hits through 5.1 innings.

After threatening with runners in scoring position in the second and third, Kent State broke through in the top of the fourth, claiming the game's initial advantage with a leadoff home run from rightfielder Michele Duffy to left centerfield. Betsa responded with three straight strikeouts to get out of the inning.

The Wolverines plated a run to even the score in the home half. Christner lopped a one-out single into the shallow centerfield -- U-M's first hit of the game -- advanced on a groundout and scored when Blanco singled to the same spot in center.

After a controversial call wiped out a U-M base runner in the fifth, the Wolverines broke the game open with their two home runs in the sixth. With junior centerfielder Sierra Lawrence aboard after a leadoff infield single, Christner connected with the 2-2 pitch in the next at-bat, lining a two-run shot into the grandstand beyond rightfield. Blanco went opposite field two batters later, knocking a solo shot to the base of the Indoor Track Buidling.

Betsa earned quick two outs in the top of the seventh and was down to the final strike when KSU centerfielder Dani Ramos singled down the first baseline to get on base. But the Wolverine pitcher fanned third baseman Maddy Grimm, who hit two home runs yesterday (Saturday, March 14), on three straight pitches to end the game.

The Wolverines will host Bowling Green for midweek non-conference slate on Wednesday (March 18). The game is slated for a 4 p.m. start at the Wilpon Softball Complex, home of Alumni Field. [ Tickets ]

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