Wolverines Fall to No. 3 Texas, Beat No. 25 Texas Tech at Judi Garman Classic

Saturday, February 29

Fullerton, Calif.

2:30 PM PT

Michigan

10-5

Texas

19-3

Michigan

Texas

Lexie Blair (Michigan Photography)

Wolverines Fall to No. 3 Texas, Beat No. 25 Texas Tech at Judi Garman Classic

2/29/2020 11:12:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Leah Howard

» No. 13 Michigan split its day-two games at the Judi Garman Classic, falling in a pitcher's duel to No. 3 Texas, 1-0, before defeating No. 25 Texas Tech, 8-2.
» U-M posted a season-best 14 hits against Texas Tech; Lexie Blair matched a career-high four hits as part of a six-hit day.
» Alex Storako struck out 13 against the Red Raiders and allowed just two hits; Meghan Beaubien carried a perfect game into the sixth inning against Texas.

Site: Fullerton, Calif. (Anderson Family Field)
Event: Judi Garman Classic (Day 2 of 3)
Scores: #3 Texas 1, #13 Michigan 0; #13 Michigan 8, #25 Texas Tech 2
Records: U-M (11-5), UT (19-3), TTU (10-9)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, March 1 -- vs. Washington (Fullerton Calif.), 9 a.m. PST

FULLERTON, Calif. -- The No. 13-ranked University of Michigan softball team split a pair of games against nationally-ranked opposition on its second day of action at the Judi Garman Classic, dropping a pitchers' duel to No. 3 Texas, 1-0, before bouncing back with an 8-2 decision against No. 25 Texas Tech on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 29) at CSU Fullerton's Anderson Family Field.

The win against Texas Tech snapped a five-game losing streak for the Wolverines, who had struggled offensively until breaking out with a season-best 14 hits against the Red Raiders. Sophomore left fielder Lexie Blair paced U-M with six hits on the day, including three doubles and matching a career-best four hits against Texas Tech.

Freshman Julia Jimenez led off the Texas Tech slate with a solo shot deep over the left-field wall for her first collegiate long ball before the Wolverines broke the game open with a six-run second inning off six hits, including five consecutive singles, and two errors. Junior first baseman Lou Allan, senior designated player Abby Skvarce and sophomore catcher Hannah Carson drove in runs in three straight at-bats, including a two-run bouncing single up the middle for Carson off the first pitch following a Texas Tech pitching change.

Michigan used two more singles and a Texas Tech fielding error to plate another in the fourth and earn an 8-0 lead, but the Wolverines lost their run-rule margin when the Red Raiders scored twice off a hit, two walks and two errors in the home half of the inning.

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Alex Storako (6-1) struck out 13 -- her fourth game this season with double-digit strikeouts -- and allowed two runs on two hits and three walks to earn the win.

Junior Meghan Beaubien (5-4) also was outstanding despite losing the pitchers' duel against the Longhorns, allowing one run on just two hits and no walks with a pair of strikeouts. She took a perfect game into the sixth inning before giving up a leadoff double for the first Texas hit of the game. The Texas runner advanced on a sac bunt before scoring the game's only run on a sac fly to center.

The Wolverines were not without scoring opportunities, earning extra bases on three of their four hits and leaving a runner stranded at third base in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings.

Michigan (11-5) will wrap up play at the Judi Garman Classic on Sunday (March 1) when it takes on No. 2 Washington at 9 a.m. PST and Colorado State 11:15 a.m. PST at Anderson Family Field. Both games will be streamed live on FloSoftball.com.