Michigan
22-2
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Western Michigan
9-13
Betsa Fans 14 in One-Hit Gem against Western Michigan
3/22/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 22, 2016
» RHP Megan Betsa posted a season-best 14 strikeouts; she lost her no-hitter on a two-out WMU double in the top of the sixth inning.
» Michigan has won each of its last 11 games and improved to 2-0 at home.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Alumni Field)
Scores: #2 Michigan 8, Western Michigan 0 (6 inn.)
Records: U-M (22-2), WMU (9-13)
Next U-M Event: Friday, March 25 -- vs. Northwestern (Wilpon Complex), 4 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Junior RHP Megan Betsa posted a season-best 14 strikeouts en route to a one-hit gem, headlining the No. 2-ranked University of Michigan softball team's 8-0, six-inning decision against in-state foe Western Michigan on Tuesday afternoon (March 22) at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field.
Betsa (9-1) took a no-hitter into the top of the sixth inning and dealt back-to-back strikeouts before allowing a two-out double to the rightfield wall. She fanned the first WMU batter faced on three straight pitches. She also struck out the side in the first and third innings. It is her third game this season with double-digit strikeouts and just two off her career high.
With the no-hitter off, sophomore RHP/first baseman Tera Blanco started warming up in the Wolverine bullpen but ended the game in the bottom of the sixth before giving herself a chance, ripping a bases-loaded, two-run single through the left side to pad U-M's lead to the run-rule margin.
Blanco led the Wolverines with a 2-for-3, four-RBI day at the plate, while sophomore third baseman Lindsay Montemarano continued her tear at Alumni Field with two hits and two RBI from the No. 8 spot. Michigan went without a home run -- after posting three in its opener last week -- but instead tallied four RBI doubles to drive in the bulk of its runs against WMU.
Michigan also took advantage of free bases, drawing eight walks including ones to lead off the first three innings. Senior shortstop Sierra Romero drove in the game-winning run in the first inning, sending a bouncing single through the left side and to the wall to extend her hit streak to 16 straight games.
Montemarano lined an RBI double to centerfield in the second inning and, after senior rightfielder Kelsey Susalla joined in with an RBI double of her own in the third, the Wolverine third baseman scored another, sending a bases-loaded, broken-bat single off the glove of the Bronco pitcher.
Blanco tallied her first hit after back-to-back walks in the fourth, slicing a two-run double down the rightfield line, and added another two innings later to end the game early.
Michigan has won each of its last 11 games and improved to 2-0 at home this season.
#YouBetsa pic.twitter.com/KX8i9vwdub
-- Michigan Softball (@umichsoftball) March 22, 2016
The Wolverines will kick off their Big Ten Conference slate this weekend (Fri-Sun., March 25-27), hosting Northwestern for a three-game set at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field. The series kicks off a 4 p.m. on Friday. Tickets are available through the U-M Ticket Office.
Communications Contact: Leah Howard
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Betsa, Megan (9-1)
L: KUS, Allyson (6-7)
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Batting:
2B: PALMER, Melissa 1
Batting:
2B: Romero, Sierra 1 ; Susalla, Kelsey 1 ; Blanco, Tera 1 ; Montemarano, Lindsay 1
RBI: Romero, Sierra 1 ; Susalla, Kelsey 1 ; Blanco, Tera 4 ; Montemarano, Lindsay 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Lawrence, Sierra 1 ; Peters, Natalie 1 ; Romero, Sierra 3 ; Christner, Kelly 1 ; Susalla, Kelsey 1 ; Sbonek, Mary 1
SB: Lawrence, Sierra 1 ; Romero, Sierra 1 ; Sbonek, Mary 1
