Wolverines Run-Rule Valpo in NCAA Regional Opener

Friday, May 20

Ann Arbor, Mich.

7:00 PM

Michigan

47-5

Valparaiso

18-33

Valparaiso

Michigan

5/20/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

May 20, 2016

» Michigan scored three runs early and five runs in the fifth to earn an 8-0, five-inning decision in its NCAA Regional opener against Valparaiso.
» Megan Betsa struck out nine and allowed just one hit -- a bunt single -- and one walk en route to the complete-game shutout.
» Sierra Romero knocked out a first-inning solo home run and added another RBI in the fifth to up her career total to 301 and claim sole possession of fourth among the all-time NCAA leaders.

• Box Score | Photo Gallery | Regional Central

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Complex)
Event: NCAA Regional (Day 1 of 3)
Scores: #2 Michigan 8, Valparaiso 0 (5 inn.)
Records: U-M (47-5), Valpo (18-33)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, May 21 -- vs. Miami University (Wilpon Complex), Noon

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 2-ranked University of Michigan softball team used dominant pitching and a five-run fifth inning to cruise past Valparaiso, 8-0 in five innings, in its NCAA Regional opener on Friday evening (May 20) in front of 2,523 fans at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field.

Michigan will face Miami (Ohio) at noon Saturday (May 21) in the winners' bracket final of the four-team, double-elimination regional, while Valparaiso will play Notre Dame at 2:30 p.m. in an elimination game. Miami defeated Notre Dame, 3-2, in Friday's first game.

Junior RHP Megan Betsa (24-3) was superb from the circle, striking out nine en route to her eighth complete-game shutout of the season. She allowed just one hit -- a bunt single in the fourth -- and one walk. Betsa, who leads the nation with 11.5 strikeouts per seven innings, struck out the side in the first inning, including a three-pitch effort to open the game, and followed with two strikeouts apiece in the second, third and fifth frames.

Michigan plated three runs early, highlighted by senior second baseman Sierra Romero's solo homer in the first inning, but slowed in the middle frames before breaking out with its five-run fifth to bring a quick end to the contest.

Romero, who went 2-for-2 with two runs, two RBI and a walk, launched her solo shot just over the fence and against the protective railing in the rightfield grandstand. It marks her 18th home run of the season and provided the Wolverine captain the 300th RBI of her career -- she added 301 in the fifth -- to claim sole possession of the fourth spot among the NCAA's all-time leaders in the category.

The Wolverines added two more in the second, largely on a pair of doubles from junior leftfielder Kelly Christner and junior third baseman Lindsay Montemarano. The latter, with two outs, ended a nine-pitch at-bat as Montemarano roped an RBI double off the wall in left centerfield. She came home in the next at-bat when junior shortstop Abby Ramirez smack an RBI single up the middle.

Valpo, who drew a leadoff walk in the second, tallied its lone hit from the leadoff spot in the fourth as centerfielder Taylor Lawson beat out a slow roller down the first baseline. After three straight balls in the next at-bat, Betsa and Romero paused for a quick conference in the circle, and U-M responded with three outs on the next two pitches, forcing a foul out and a 4-3 double play.

Michigan recorded four straight singles to open the fifth inning, with Romero earning her second RBI of the game on a single to centerfield. After a nice defensive play at second base provided the first out, sophomore catcher Aidan Falk resumed the Wolverine attack with another roped two-run single to centerfield. Valpo went to its bullpen but walked the next three Michigan batter, pushing across two more runs to claim the run-rule margin.

Tweet of the Game

ROM-BOMB! Romero hammers a solo shot off the front of the RF grandstand fencing. Her 18th HR of the year. 1-0 U-M. pic.twitter.com/KIgOqoaq1E

-- Michigan Softball (@umichsoftball) May 20, 2016