Michigan Utilizes Six-Run Fourth to Defeat WMU

Wednesday, March 25

Ann Arbor, Mich.

4:00 PM

Michigan

29-4

Western Michigan

5-14

Western Michigan

Michigan

3/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

March 25, 2015

• Box Score

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Complex)
Score: #4 Michigan 8, Western Michigan 2
Records: U-M (29-4), WMU (5-14)
Next U-M Event: Friday, March 27 -- vs. Iowa (Wilpon Complex), 4 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Sophomore leftfielder Kelly Christner recorded her second straight three-hit effort to headline the No. 4-ranked University of Michigan softball team's 8-2 midweek decision over in-state foe Western Michigan on Wednesday (March 25) at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field.

Christner went 3-for-4 from the plate, including a solo shot to score the run's first game in the fourth, with two runs scored and three runs batted in to extend her hit streak to six straight games. It was her third three-hit effort in five games. Junior centerfielder Sierra Lawrence, and freshman first baseman Tera Blanco also knocked out home runs.

Senior LHP Haylie Wagner (12-2) struck out a season-best 10 batters to earn the complete-game win from the circle, fanning two apiece in the second and fifth innings before striking out the side in the seventh. She allowed four hits -- three in WMU's two-run sixth -- and one walk.

After three scoreless innings, the Wolverines broke through with six runs in the bottom of the fourth. Christner led off with her eighth home run of the season, hanging up a high fly into a heavy wind blowing out to rightfield and dropping it into the third row of the outfield grandstand. Blanco went deep two batters later, connecting with the 3-2 pitch and lining a no-doubter into the baseball field beyond center.

WMU went the bullpen after consecutive hits up the middle but promptly issued back-to-back walks to plate another Michigan run and force another pitching change. Wagner plated a run on a sac fly into right-field foul territory, and, in her second at-bat of the inning, Christner snuck a chop single down the line past the Bronco first baseman to drive in two more.

The Broncos spoiled Wagner's shutout bid in the top of the sixth when leftfielder Ivy Schaak ripped a line double down the left-field line. They added after back-to-back infield singles to shortstop, scoring on the latter when sophomore Abby Ramirez's throw to second arrived just a step late.

Michigan responded with two runs of its own in the home half. Christner registered her third hit on a one-out high chopper up the middle; Lawrence followed with a line-drive homer into the right-field grandstand.

Western Michigan put a runner aboard on a fielding error with one out, but Wagner struck out the final two batters on eight pitches to close out the game.

Michigan will resume Big Ten Conference play this weekend, hosting a three-game set against Iowa at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field. U-M will kick off the series at 4 p.m. on Friday (March 27). [ Tickets ]

Communications Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423