Michigan Sacrifices Early Lead in NCAA Regional Finale, Swept by No. 6 Washington

Sunday, May 23

Seattle, Wash.

5:00 PM PT

Michigan

38-7

Washington

44-12

Washington

Michigan

(Michigan Photography)

Michigan Sacrifices Early Lead in NCAA Regional Finale, Swept by No. 6 Washington

5/23/2021 11:59:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

By: Leah Howard

Site: Seattle, Wash. (Husky Softball Stadium)
Event: NCAA Regional (Day 3 of 3)
Score: #6 Washington 2, #20 Michigan 0; #6 Washington 10, #20 Michigan 5
Records: U-M (38-8), UW (45-12)
Next U-M Event: Season Completed

SEATTLE, Wash. -- The No. 20-ranked University of Michigan softball team saw its 2021 season come to an end Sunday (May 23) as sixth-ranked Washington won twice, 2-0 and 10-5, to rally back in the NCAA Regional finale at Husky Softball Stadium and advance to next weekend's NCAA Super Regional.

The Wolverines could not hang onto an early four-run lead in the deciding "if necessary" game as Washington plated seven runs on six hits and an error to take the lead and pull away in the fourth inning.

» No. 20 Michigan fell to No. 6 Washington, 2-0 and 10-5, to fall in the NCAA Regional final.
» U-M sacrificed a four-run lead in the "if necessary" game after Washington plated seven runs in the fourth inning.
» Michigan completed the 2021 season with a 38-8 record and captured its third straight Big Ten title.

The teams traded a run apiece in the first inning before Michigan loaded the bases with no outs and scored four runs in the second. After the go-ahead run crossed after a fielding error, senior first baseman Lou Allan, senior third baseman Taylor Bump and sophomore second baseman Julia Jimenez drove in runs in consecutive at-bats on a single, walk and fielder's choice, respectively.

Washington started its rally with two runs in the third before its seven-run fourth. A leadoff home run chased junior right-hand pitcher Alex Storako from the circle, but Michigan struggled to stop the momentum. The Huskies used an RBI double to score the tying run and a fielding error to pull ahead. U-M got its first out on a fielder's choice at home, but Washington plated runs in the next three at-bats, including a two-run double, and added another off a two-out bunt single to secure a five-run lead.

Senior left-handed pitcher Meghan Beaubien (16-5) took the loss in the relief, allowing six runs -- four earned -- off six hits and a walk with one strikeout. She also earned the loss despite a stout effort in the day's first slate, allowing five hits and a walk while striking out three Huskies batters. She settled in after the opening two frames with just one UW runner reaching scoring position for the final five frames.

Michigan could not get its offense going in game one, matching a season-low two hits in its first shutout loss of the season. Blair tallied both Wolverine hits, and U-M drew three walks but did not advance a runner past second base in the game.

Washington scored its runs early, using a two-out solo homer to center field to take the lead in the first inning before stringing together a fielding error and RBI double to tack on another in the second.

The Wolverines completed the 2021 season with a 38-8 record, captured the program's 22nd Big Ten Conference title and third in a row, and reached the NCAA Tournament for the 26th straight year.