ACC Sweep: Wolverines Run-Rule Virginia Tech in Challenge Finale

Sunday, February 21

Tallahassee, Fla.

10:00 AM

Michigan

8-1

Virginia Tech

1-8

Michigan

Virginia Tech

ACC Sweep: Wolverines Run-Rule Virginia Tech in Challenge Finale

2/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

Feb. 21, 2016

Alex Sobczak

» Michigan used a big first inning, batting around its order and plating six runs, to roll to a 9-1, six-inning win against Virginia Tech.
» The Wolverines swept their ACC/Big Ten Challenge opposition and extended their win streak to six games.
» Sierra Romero and Alex Sobczak tallied two hits and two RBI apiece; Romero knocked out her fifth home run of the season.

• Box Score

Site: Tallahassee, Fla. (Joanne Graf Field)
Event: ACC/Big Ten Challenge (Day 3 of 3)
Scores: #2 Michigan 9, Virginia Tech 1 (6 inn.)
Records: U-M (8-1), VT (1-8)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Feb. 26 -- vs. Oklahoma - Mary Nutter Memorial Tournament (Palm Springs, Calif.), 10 a.m. PST

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The No. 2-ranked University of Michigan softball team used an explosive first inning to cruise past Virginia Tech, 9-1, in six innings in its ACC/Big Ten Challenge finale on Sunday morning (Feb. 21) at Florida State's JoAnne Graf Field. With the win, the Wolverines competed a weekend sweep against their ACC competition and ran their win streak to six in a row.

Seven Wolverines tallied hits in the opening inning as U-M batted around its order and plated six runs, including four with two outs. Junior shortstop Abby Ramirez and junior leftfielder Kelly Christner, who swapped positions in the lineup, both registered first-inning RBI triples.

Senior second baseman Sierra Romero and freshman catcher Alex Sobczak also contributed to the first-inning surge with RBI singles and headlined the Wolverines offensive efforts with two hits and two RBI apiece in the contest. The duo combined to push U-M into run-rule territory in the top of the sixth when Romero bombed a leadoff solo blast deep over the centerfield fence -- her fifth homer of the season -- and Sobczak followed four batters later with an RBI double to right centerfield.

Graduate student RHP Sara Driesenga (5-0) was victorious from the circle, allowing one run on seven hits and no walks while striking out three through five innings pitched. Freshman RHP Leah Crockett made her collegiate debut in relief to close out the game with a solid inning of work.

Tweet of the Game

ROM-BOMB! Romero gets the run back in the first at-bat of the inning! It's now 8-1 Michigan #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/GbaaGf4Kn8

-- Michigan Softball (@umichsoftball) February 21, 2016

The Wolverines (8-1) will head out west for their annual spring break trip, kicking off the five-game Mary Nutter Memorial Tournament next weekend (Fri-Sun., Feb. 26-28) in Palm Springs, California. Michigan begins play against Oklahoma at 10 a.m. PST on Friday.

Communications Contact: Leah Howard