Five-Jack Attack Helps Wolverines Sack Wolfpack

Friday, February 17

Raleigh, N.C.

5:00 PM

Michigan

4-2

North Carolina State

2-4

Michigan

NC State

2/17/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

Feb. 17, 2017

» Senior Kelly Christner became the fourth Wolverine to hit three home runs in one game and the first since Dorian Shaw hit three on May 22, 2009, against Baylor in the Ann Arbor Super Regional.
» The Wolverines had five home runs on the day, as Lindsay Montemarano and Aidan Falk each hit round-trippers in the win.
» RHP Megan Betsa earned her second win this season in the circle. Betsa struck out nine in four innings of work and upped her season strikeout total to 36.

• Box Score

Site: Raleigh, N.C. (Dail Softball Stadium)
Event: ACC/Big Ten Challenge (Day 1 of 3)
Score: #11 Michigan 12, North Carolina State 0 (5 innings)
Records: U-M (4-2), NCSU (2-4)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Feb. 18 -- vs. Notre Dame - ACC/Big Ten Challenge (Raleigh, N.C.), 10 a.m.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The No. 11-ranked University of Michigan softball team knocked out five home runs, including three off the bat of senior centerfielder Kelly Christner, to earn a decisive 12-0, five-inning win against North Carolina State in its ACC/Big Ten Challenge opener Friday evening (Feb. 17) at the Wolfpack's Dail Softball Stadium.

Christner, who was 3-for-4 with four runs scored and a career-high seven runs batted in, became just the fourth Wolverine -- and the first since 2009 -- to belt three home runs in a game. Senior third baseman Lindsay Montemarano and junior designated player Aidan Falk also had home runs in the win. Montemarano drove in three runs in her 2-for-4 performance, while sophomore rightfielder Natalie Peters had three hits and score three runs in U-M's weekend-opening victory.

Senior RHP Megan Betsa (2-1) struck out nine in four innings in the circle, allowing just one hit in the shutout. Sophomore RHP Leah Crockett pitched the game's final frame, striking out a pair of hitters in her inning of work.

Michigan built its lead with nine runs in the game's first two innings. The Maize and Blue put up a four-spot in the first as a sacrifice fly off the bat of junior first baseman Tera Blanco was followed by Montemarano's three-run round-tripper. Michigan put up five runs in the second on Christner's grand slam and Falk's solo shot. Michigan had nine hits in the first two innings, with two apiece from Peters and Montemarano.

Christner had a hand in the final three runs of the game. Her solo shot in the fourth just got over the wall in centerfield. In the fifth, Peters reached on an infield single and trotted home on Christner's third home run of the game.

Michigan (4-2) will continue play at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 18), taking on Notre Dame at 10 a.m. and host N.C. State at 3 p.m. at Dail Softball Stadium. The latter game will be streamed live on ESPN3, while WCBN will have live radio broadcasts for both.

Communications Contact: Leah Howard