Michigan
35-6, 0
Rutgers
20-10, 0
Wolverines Tally Six Homers in Series-Opening Win at Rutgers
4/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 10, 2015
Site: Piscataway, N.J. (RU Softball Complex)
Score: #4 Michigan 18, Rutgers 0 (5 inn.)
Records: U-M (35-6, 8-2 Big Ten), Rutgers (20-10, 7-3 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, April 11 -- at Rutgers (Piscataway, N.J.), 1 p.m.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- The No. 4-ranked University of Michigan softball team knocked out six home runs, including three in a row in the fourth inning, to claim an 18-0, five-inning decision in the series opener against Big Ten newcomer Rutgers on Friday afternoon (April 10) at the RU Softball Complex.
Junior centerfielder Sierra Lawrence set the tone with a leadoff solo shot in the first, while sophomore leftfielder Kelly Christner belted out two home runs, combining for four runs batted in, and junior second baseman Sierra Romero knocked out a fourth-inning grand slam as part of a three-hit, six-RBI performance. Junior rightfielder Kelsey Susalla and freshman first baseman Aidan Falk also went yard. The Wolverines were one homer shy of their program single-game record.
Sophomore RHP Megan Betsa (16-4) earned her fourth complete-game shutout of the season with a nine-strikeout, three-hit effort through five innings. The Scarlet Knights spoiled her no-hit bid with a no-out single in the fourth before adding two more with two outs in the fifth. Betsa ended both threats with inning-ending strikeouts.
The Wolverines broke the game open with a three-run third, featuring a two-run Romero double before scoring seven apiece in the fourth and fifth innings. Rutgers went to the bullpen after loading the bases with no outs in the former frame, but the pitching change did little to curb U-M's momentum as Romero knocked out a first-pitch grand slam to rightfield, while Christner and Susalla followed with solo blasts to right and left respectively.
Michigan homered twice more in the fifth. Christner belted out her second of the contest in her next turn at the plate, plating three runs with a shot to leftfield. Freshman pinch hitter Taylor Swearingen singled to center to drive in another run, before Falk went deep in the next at-bat, lifting a three-run shot over the fence in leftfield.
The Wolverines will continue their three-game series against Rutgers tomorrow (Saturday, April 11) with a 1 p.m. slate at the RU Softball Complex in Piscataway, New Jersey. The game will the streamed live on BTN Plus.
Communications Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Betsa, Megan (16-4)
L: Landrith, Alyssa (11-6)
Batting:
2B: Romero, Sierra 1
HR: Lawrence, Sierra 1 ; Romero, Sierra 1 ; Christner, Kelly 2 ; Susalla, Kelsey 1 ; Falk, Aidan 1
RBI: Lawrence, Sierra 1 ; Romero, Sierra 6 ; Christner, Kelly 4 ; Susalla, Kelsey 2 ; Swearingen, Taylor 1 ; Falk, Aidan 4
Base Running:
RUNS: Lawrence, Sierra 4 ; Romero, Sierra 3 ; Christner, Kelly 2 ; Susalla, Kelsey 2 ; Sweet, Lauren 1 ; Wald, Nikki 1 ; Swearingen, Taylor 1 ; Sbonek, Mary 1 ; Falk, Aidan 1 ; Ramirez, Abby 2
SB: Romero, Sierra 1
CS: Romero, Sierra 1
HBP: Ramirez, Abby 1
