Beaubien Masterful Again as Wolverines Take Two from Hawkeyes

Saturday, February 27

Leesburg, Fla.

10:20 AM

Michigan

3-0, 0

Iowa

1-2, 0

Michigan

Iowa

Julia Jimenez (Michigan Photography)

Beaubien Masterful Again as Wolverines Take Two from Hawkeyes

2/27/2021 4:26:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery

By: Leah Howard

» No. 17 Michigan defeated Iowa, 2-0 and 6-5, to claim its second straight doubleheader sweep at the season-opening Big Ten "bubble" weekend in Florida.
» LHP Meghan Beaubien struck out 12 and allowed just two hits and no walks en route to her second complete-game shutout in as many appearances. RHP Alex Storako also registered 11 strikeouts.
» Lexie Blair posted three hits and four RBI, including a three-run homer in the second game.

Site: Leesburg, Fla. (Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex)
Scores: #17 Michigan 2, Iowa 0; #17 Michigan 6, Iowa 5
Records: U-M (4-0, 4-0 Big Ten), Iowa (1-3, 1-3 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Feb. 28 -- DH vs. Illinois (Leesburg, Fla), 9 a.m.

LEESBURG, Fla. -- The No. 17-ranked University of Michigan softball team took both ends of a doubleheader for the second straight day, defeating Iowa, 2-0 and 6-5, at the Big Ten Conference's season-opening "bubble" weekend on Saturday (Feb. 27) at Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex.

Michigan's starting pitchers again stole the show. Senior LHP Meghan Beaubien posted her second straight complete-game shutout, allowing just two hits and no walks while fanning 12 -- a day after matching U-M's single-game record with 19 strikeouts. Junior RHP Alex Storako added 11 strikeouts in the second slate and allowed one run -- unearned -- on three hits and no walks in 6.2 innings.

Junior leftfielder Lexie Blair posted three hits and drove in four runs in the twinbill, including a three-run homer in the second game -- the seventh round-tripper of her career and first for Michigan this season. Blair has recorded a hit and an RBI in three straight games. Sophomore third baseman Julia Jimenez also posted three hits and a pair of RBI, while senior first baseman Taylor Bump went 2-for-3 with an RBI in the day's first game.

The Wolverines used a pair of two-out rallies to plate runs early and late in the opener. After failing to capitalize with the bases loaded in the first, U-M broke through in the second with a hit-by-pitch and Blair RBI double -- her second of the season -- to shallow left-center.

Michigan held its narrow one-run edge until Bump provided a cushion with two outs in the top of the seventh, scoring Blair on an RBI single through the left side. For her part, Beaubien grew more efficient as the game progressed and, after a leadoff single in the third, retired the last 15 Hawkeye batters in order. She needed 10 pitches or less to get through each of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

Michigan also broke through in the second inning of the later game. Freshman catcher Keke Tholl drilled a one-out double to the rightfield wall in her first collegiate at-bat, and her pinch runner, fellow freshman Kaylee Rodriguez, advanced on a passed ball and scored the game-winning run when fifth-year senior Haley Hoogenraad singled to right. Blair busted it open three batters later with her three-run shot over the fence in right-center.

The Hawkeyes ended U-M's run of shutout innings with an unearned tally off a double steal in the fourth, but Michigan answered in the home half of the frame, loading the bases before Jimenez roped a two-run single into center field to get back the run and more, padding U-M's lead to 6-1.

The five-run lead proved necessary as Iowa plated four in the bottom of the seventh. Sophomore RHP Chandler Dennis entered to start the inning but was pulled after allowing a single and three straight walks with one out. Storako reentered and earned a quick strikeout, but Iowa kept the threat going with two outs, driving back-to-back RBI singles into the outfield. The Hawkeyes got caught trying for more on the latter, however, as the batter-runner was thrown out at second to stymie the rally and end the game.

Michigan (4-0, 4-0 Big Ten) will wrap up its season-opening "bubble" weekend with a 9 a.m. doubleheader against Illinois tomorrow (Sunday, Feb. 28) at Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex. Both games will be streamed live on Big Ten Network+.