Wolverines Power Past Buckeyes to Clinch Weekend Series

Saturday, April 16

Ann Arbor, Mich.

2:00 PM

Michigan

32-4, 10-2

Ohio State

25-10-1, 9-3-1

Ohio State

Michigan

Wolverines Power Past Buckeyes to Clinch Weekend Series

4/16/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

April 16, 2016

» Kelly Christner and Faith Canfield knocked out home runs in the second and fourth innings, respectively, to pace U-M past Ohio State, 5-1.
» Canfield's two-run bomb -- her second collegiate homer -- provided the Wolverines some breathing room after OSU had pulled within one run in the top of the fourth.
» RHP Sara Driesenga improved to 15-0 from the circle; she did not earn a strikeout but was backed by a stellar Wolverine defensive effort.

• Box Score

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Stadium)
Scores: #2 Michigan 5, Ohio State 1
Records: U-M (32-4, 10-2 Big Ten), OSU (25-10-1, 9-3-1 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, April 17 -- vs. Ohio State (Wilpon Complex), 1 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 2-ranked University of Michigan softball team used a pair of home runs to power past Ohio State, 5-1, on Saturday afternoon (April 16) in front of a sell-crowd of 2,473 at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field. With the win, the Wolverines clinched the weekend series against OSU and improved to 10-2 in Big Ten Conference play and solidify their place atop the league standings.

Junior leftfielder Kelly Christner and freshman designated player Faith Canfield went yard in the second and fourth innings, respectively. Christner broke the scoreless tie with a line-drive solo shot just over the rightfield wall and hard into the fencing in front of the grandstand seating. It is her fifth home run of the season.

Canfield's homer came as part of a three-run fourth and followed runs from both teams in preceding half innings. The Wolverines scored on senior rightfielder Kelsey Susalla's RBI single through the right side -- and a savvy slide from senior second baseman Sierra Romero to avoid a tag at home plate -- but Ohio State cut the lead on a ball through the left side.

Christner keyed the response in the home half with a well-placed bunt single down the third baseline, and with two outs, Canfield drove a two-run bomb into the visitors' bullpen beyond leftfield wall -- her second collegiate home run. Michigan tacked on another run off a unique play three batters later when Romero smacked a low liner at the Buckeye second baseman, who hesitated to throw after incorrectly thinking she had caught the ball on the fly. Junior shortstop Abby Ramirez scored from second base on the play before the third out was recorded at third base.

Senior RHP Sara Driesenga (15-0) battled to claim the victory from the circle -- and was backed by a stellar defensive effort. She allowed six hits and two walks and did not record a strikeout but got more efficient as the game progressed. She faced the minimum over the final three frames, highlighted by an inning-ending double play in the fifth and a six-pitch frame in the sixth.

Tweet of the Game

CRUSHED IT! Canfield goes yard, deposits a two-run shot into visitors' bullpen beyond LF wall. Her 2nd HR. 4-1 U-M. https://t.co/fDspIbBpAQ

-- Michigan Softball (@umichsoftball) April 16, 2016

Michigan will close out the weekend series against Ohio State tomorrow (Sunday, April 17) with a 1 p.m. slate at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field. The game is already sold out but will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.

Communications Contact: Leah Howard