Wolverines Use Big Fifth Inning to Run-Rule MSU

Tuesday, April 19

Ann Arbor, Mich.

6:00 PM

Michigan

34-4, 12-2

Michigan State

22-22, 4-10

Michigan State

Michigan

4/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

April 19, 2016

» U-M scored five runs in the fifth inning -- on a walk and four straight hits -- to run-rule Michigan State, 8-0, in five innings.
» Kelly Christner and Kelsey Susalla, hitting 3-4 in the order, combined for five hits and six RBI; Susalla and Tera Blanco both posted two-run homers.
» RHP Sara Driesenga allowed just three hits -- with no walks and no strikeouts -- en route to her second complete-game shutout of the season.

• Box Score | Photo Gallery

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Stadium)
Scores: #2 Michigan 8, Michigan State (5 inn.)
Records: U-M (34-4, 12-2 Big Ten), MSU (22-22, 4-10 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Friday, April 22 -- vs. Maryland (Wilpon Complex), 6 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 2-ranked University of Michigan softball team claimed its seventh straight Big Ten Conference win -- and fifth over a rival -- with an 8-0, five-inning decision against Michigan State on Tuesday evening (April 19) in front of 2,003 fans at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field.

The Wolverine offense exploded for five runs -- after a walk and four straight hits -- in the bottom of the fifth inning, bringing an instant and premature end to the midweek game with sophomore first baseman Tera Blanco's two-run blast -- her sixth homer this season -- into the rightfield grandstand.

Junior leftfielder Kelly Christner and senior rightfielder Kelsey Susalla preceded Blanco's home run with RBI hits of their own -- Christner on a roped single up the middle and Susalla on a similar two-run single to centerfield. The duo, hitting 3-4 in the lineup, paced the Wolverines at the plate; Christner batted 3-for-3 with two RBI, while Susalla -- on "Kelsey Susalla Day" -- went 2-for-2 with four RBI.

They also combined to provide the Wolverines an early advantage in the first inning. Christner legged out a two-out infield single, and Susalla followed with a crushed two-run homer -- her ninth of the season -- to right centerfield.

Senior second baseman Sierra Romero, who also tallied two hits and two runs, keyed another two-run rally in the third inning, yanking a double just fair down the leftfield line. She scored just three pitches later when Christner smacked a double of her own to right center.

Senior RHP Sara Driesenga (16-0) was solid in victory from the circle, allowing just three hits with no walks and no strikeouts. It is her second complete-game shutout of the season. She carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning, before MSU posted back-to-back one-out singles.

Tweet of the Game

Susalla is cleaning up on "Kelsey Susalla Day"

Here's her 3rd &4th RBI of the day!@umichsoftball @BTNStudentU https://t.co/49eeePiVqH

-- Michigan On BTN (@MichiganOnBTN) April 19, 2016

Michigan will remain at home this weekend, hosting Maryland for a three-game set at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field. The Wolverines will kick off the series at 6 p.m. on Friday (April 22). Tickets are available through the U-M Ticket Office. Friday's game will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.

Communications Contact: Leah Howard