Wolverines Split Ranked Matchups at SPC Elite Invitational

Friday, February 18

Clearwater, Fla.

10:00 AM

Michigan

3-3

Oklahoma State

5-1

Michigan

Oklahoma State

Kristina Burkhardt (Michigan Photography)

Wolverines Split Ranked Matchups at SPC Elite Invitational

2/18/2022 6:50:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Leah Howard

» No. 19 Michigan split its first-day games at the St. Pete Clearwater Elite Invitational, defeating No. 24 UCF 6-0 after falling to No. 7 Oklahoma State 4-0 in its tournament opener.
» Kristina Burkhardt went 3-for-6 with three extra-base hits and four RBI, including bases-clearing triple against UCF.
» RHP Alex Storako struck out seven Knights and allowed three hits and two walk en route to her second straight complete-game shutout.

Site: Clearwater, Fla. (Eddie C. Moore Complex)
Event: St. Pete Clearwater Elite Invitational (Day 1 of 2)
Scores: #7 Oklahoma State 4, #19 Michigan 0; #19 Michigan 6, #24 UCF 0
Records: U-M (4-3), OSU (5-1), UCF (4-3)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Feb. 19 -- vs. Florida State (Clearwater, Fla.), 1 p.m.

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The No. 19-ranked University of Michigan softball team split a pair of ranked matchups on its first day at the St. Pete Clearwater Elite Invitational, defeating No. 24 UCF 6-0 after falling to No. 7 Oklahoma State 4-0 in its tournament opener on Friday (Feb. 18) at the Eddie C. Moore Complex.

The Wolverines broke out the bats with 10 hits against UCF -- their third double-digit hit tally of the season -- after sacrificing a one-hit shutout in the morning Oklahoma State slate. Graduate-student outfielder Kristina Burkhardt went 3-for-6 on the day with three extra-base hits and four RBI, while senior outfielder Lexie Blair and freshman shortstop Ella McVey both posted a pair of hits against UCF (4-3).

Senior right-handed pitcher Alex Storako (3-0) tossed her second straight complete-game shutout in game two, fanning seven Knights batters, while allowing just three hits and a pair of walks. UCF put four total runners in scoring position, including two in the top of the seventh before a flyout ended the contest. Graduate student left-handed pitcher Meghan Beaubien (1-2) took the loss against OSU, giving up four runs off seven hits and a walk through four innings. She and freshman RHP Lauren Derkowski combined for nine strikeouts.

After threatening in the second, the Wolverines broke through in the third with a run manufactured by junior designated player Audrey LeClair in her first collegiate start. LeClair, who posted a career-best two runs in the contest, reached on an E6 fielding error, advanced on a wild pitch and a groundout and scored the go-ahead run on another wild pitch in the dirt.

Michigan (4-3) added another run off a wild pitch in the fourth before Burkhardt broke it open. The Wolverines loaded the bases on a walk and back-to-back singles, and Burkhardt drove them all in with a three-run triple to deep center -- U-M's first three-bagger of the season and the 13th of Burkhardt's career. The Wolverine grad student plated one more with an RBI double in the sixth.

Burkhardt also registered Michigan's lone hit against Oklahoma State (5-1) with a leadoff double in the seventh and advanced to third on a wild pitch, but three straight U-M strikeouts stymied the late threat with runners on the corners and no outs.

Michigan trailed throughout after Oklahoma State scored three runs in the first inning, including two on a two-out, two-strike home run.

The Wolverines will wrap up play at the St. Pete Clearwater Elite Invitational with two more games Saturday (Feb. 19), taking on No. 5 Florida State at 1 p.m. and No. 21 LSU at 5 p.m. at the Eddie C. Moore Complex. Both games will be aired on ESPN platforms.