Wolverines Surge Late in Shutout Win against Miami

Saturday, May 21

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Noon

Michigan

48-5

Miami (Ohio)

35-22

Michigan

Miami

5/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

May 21, 2016

» After three scoreless innings, U-M scored two in the fourth and four in the sixth to claim a 6-0 win against Miami (Ohio).
» Megan Betsa struck out six and allowed just one hit and no walks through five innings.
» Sierra Lawrence and Kelly Christner posted two hits apiece; Lawrence drove in the go-ahead tallies on a high-chop single in the fourth.

• Box Score | Photo Gallery | Regional Central

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Complex)
Event: NCAA Regional (Day 2 of 3)
Scores: #2 Michigan 6, Miami 0
Records: U-M (48-5), Miami (35-22)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, May 22 -- Notre Dame - NCAA Regional final (Wilpon Complex), 2 p.m.

• Kornacki Postgame Feature: Betsa Has Things Under Control

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 2-ranked University of Michigan softball team relied on efficient pitching and a late-inning surge to claim a 6-0 shutout against Miami (Ohio) in the winners' bracket slate on Saturday afternoon (May 21) in front of 2,523 fans at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field.

The Wolverines will face No. 23 Notre Dame in Sunday's (May 22) NCAA Regional final, slated for a 2 p.m. start at Alumni Field. An "if necessary" game will follow at 4:30 p.m. Michigan needs one win tomorrow, while Notre Dame needs two. Both games will air live on the Big Ten Network.

Junior RHP Megan Betsa (25-3) was again superb from the pitching circle, tossing her second straight one-hitter while striking out six and allowing no walks through five innings. She combined for the shutout -- also U-M's second straight -- with senior RHP Sara Driesenga, who entered in the sixth and, despite allowing a pair of hits, kept the RedHawks off the board in the final two frames.

The game remained scoreless through three innings until Michigan broke through with two runs in the fourth inning. Junior leftfielder Kelly Christner, who went 2-for-4 in the contest, keyed the rally with a bunt single on the first pitch of the frame and scored -- along with junior third baseman Lindsay Montemarano -- when senior centerfielder Sierra Lawrence sent a high-chop single over the shortstop's head. Lawrence also posted two hits in the game.

Michigan took advantage of another leadoff base hit to initiate its surge in the sixth as Montemarano smacked a double down the third-base line, off the baseman's glove and into foul territory. A pair of walks -- U-M drew eight in the game -- and a single from senior second baseman Sierra Romero loaded the bases, and sophomore catcher Aidan Falk took advantage with a two-out, two-strike two-run single through the left side. Christner drove in another on looped single to the left centerfield gap.

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