Michigan Takes First Home Loss in Series Opener vs. Northwestern

Friday, April 23

Ann Arbor, Mich.

6:00 PM

Michigan

21-5, 21-5

Northwestern

22-7, 22-7

Northwestern

Michigan

Natalia Rodriguez (Michigan Photography)

Michigan Takes First Home Loss in Series Opener vs. Northwestern

4/23/2021 9:27:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Leah Howard

» No. 20 Michigan dropped a 4-1 decision in the weekend series opener against Northwestern -- its first home loss of the season.
» U-M posted a season-low two hits; Taylor Bump drove in Michigan's run with a solo homer in the sixth inning to break up a Northwestern no-hitter.
» Meghan Beaubien allowed four runs -- three earned -- off five hits and a pair of walks through five innings; she struck out five.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Complex)
Scores: Northwestern 4, #20 Michigan 1
Records: U-M (21-5, 21-5 B1G), NU (22-7, 22-7 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, April 24 -- DH vs. Northwestern (Wilpon Complex), Noon

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 20-ranked University of Michigan softball team dropped its first home game of the season, falling to Northwestern, 4-1, in the weekend series opener on Friday night (April 23) at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field.

The Wolverines struggled all game to hit off Northwestern ace Danielle Williams, who carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before senior third baseman Taylor Bump knocked out a solo home run -- her fifth in seven games -- to break up the shutout bid. Williams, a 2019 NFCA All-American, held U-M to a season-low two hits.

Senior RHP Meghan Beaubien (8-3) took the loss in the circle, allowing four runs -- three earned -- off five hits and a pair of walks through five innings. She struck out five. Senior RHP Sarah Schaefer tossed two shutout innings in relief, adding a strikeout while allowing one hit.

Northwestern (22-7, 22-7 Big Ten) scored its runs in the third and fifth innings. Its unearned tally came in the former frame after a muffed ball at first allowed a Wildcat runner to reach third then score on a two-out single to left field three batters later. They broke it open with three runs in the fifth, loading the bases with no outs before roping a two-run double off the left-field wall and sending a sac fly in the same direction.

Bump put Michigan (21-5, 21-5 Big Ten) on the board with her one-out solo shot to right-center field in the sixth inning -- her fourth in five home games. Freshman left fielder Sierra Kersten followed with a bunt single before a lined 6-3 double play -- well hit but right at the Wildcat shortstop -- killed the U-M rally.

The Wolverines went down in order in the seventh to end the game.

Michigan will resume the series tomorrow (Saturday, April 24) with a noon doubleheader against the Wildcats at Alumni Field. Both games will be streamed live on Big Ten Network+.