Wolverines Split Pair on Second Day of ACC/B1G Challenge

Saturday, February 18

Raleigh, N.C.

10:00 AM

Michigan

4-3

Notre Dame

4-3

Notre Dame

Michigan

Wolverines Split Pair on Second Day of ACC/B1G Challenge

2/18/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Feb. 18, 2017

» No. 11 Michigan split its day-two ACC/Big Ten Challenge games, falling to Notre Dame, 6-4, before earning an 11-0, five-inning win against host N.C. State.
» RHP Tera Blanco earned a complete-game, four-strikeout shutout against the Wolfpack and went 3-for-3 with two RBI from the plate. Faith Canfield tallied five RBI against N.C. State with a game-ending grand slam.
» Michigan left 15 runners on base in the loss to Notre Dame, leaving a runner stranded on third in six of seven innings.

• Boxscores: Notre Dame | N.C. State

Site: Raleigh, N.C. (Dail Softball Stadium)
Event: ACC/Big Ten Challenge (Day 2 of 3)
Scores: Notre Dame 6, #11 Michigan 4; #11 Michigan 11, North Carolina State 0
Records: U-M (5-3), UND, (4-3), NCSU (2-5)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Feb. 19 -- 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 split a pair of games on the second day of action at the annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Saturday (Feb. 18), falling to Notre Dame, 6-4, before bouncing back with a dominant 11-0, five-inning decision against host North Carolina State at the Wolfpack's Dail Softball Stadium.

Michigan pounded out 11 runs on 13 hits and four walks to claim its second shutout against the Wolfpack in as many days. Junior RHP Tera Blanco broke out with three hits and two runs batted in -- as well as the complete-game win from the circle -- while sophomore second baseman Faith Canfield posted five RBI on two hits, including a game-ending grand slam in the fifth inning -- the first of her career.

The Wolverines scored runs in all but one inning of the shortened game, including four apiece in the third and fifth frames. Michigan plated two in the first inning after stringing together three straight singles, including a Canfield RBI knock to right-center. Senior centerfielder Kelly Christner, who posted three hits and five walks on the day, teamed with Canfield to execute the double steal, swiping home for her fourth stolen base of the season.

Christner drew leadoff walks to initiate run-scoring innings in the third and fourth. Blanco and junior designated player Amanda Vargas posted RBI hits in the former frame -- a two-run double for Vargas -- while Blanco added a second RBI single in the latter.

Michigan loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth, and with her team needing just one for the run rule, Canfield provided four with her game-ending grand slam high and deep over the leftfield wall -- the second Wolverine grand slam of the weekend.

The Wolverines left 15 runners on base in the morning slate against Notre Dame, leaving a runner stranded on third in six of seven innings, while home runs accounted for five of six Irish runs, including a three-run homer in the top of the first frame. Despite multiple rallies and opportunities, U-M could not fully overcome the early deficit.

With Michigan down four runs in the bottom of the third, junior designated player Aidan Falk cut the deficit in half, following back-to-back two-out walks with a two-run rope into rightfield. Blanco made it all the way home from first on the play, sliding to just beat the tag at the plate.

Christner drove in another run with an RBI single through the right side in the bottom of the fourth, pulling U-M within a run on the scoreboard, but the rally died in the next half inning when Notre Dame belted another two-run home run.

After failing to capitalize on bases loaded with no outs in the sixth, Michigan used back-to-back singles up the middle and a throwing error to plate a run and cut the deficit in the seventh, but a flyout ended the rally and the contest.

Senior RHP Megan Betsa (2-2) was solid from the circle despite the two long balls, striking out 11 Irish batter while allowing six total hits and two walks.

Michigan (5-3) will wrap up play at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge tomorrow (Sunday, Feb. 19), taking on Notre Dame at 10 a.m. at Dail Softball Stadium. The game will air live on WCBN radio.

Communications Contact: Leah Howard