Wolverines Power Past NKU in Duke Invitational, Drop Rematch to Blue Devils

Saturday, February 26

Durham, N.C.

4:00 PM

Michigan

7-5

Duke

13-3

Michigan

Duke

Sierra Kersten's (17) homer vs. NKU was her second round-tripper in two days (Andy Mead photo)

Wolverines Power Past NKU in Duke Invitational, Drop Rematch to Blue Devils

2/26/2022 9:56:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Leah Howard

» No. 19 Michigan closed out the Duke Invitational with a 14-1 rout against Northern Kentucky after dropping a 6-1 decision to the No. 13 Blue Devils.
» U-M posted a season-high 16 hits in the NKU contest; Kristina Burkhardt tied her career best with four hits and posted three runs and two RBI, while Hannah Carson and Lauren Esman combined for seven RBI.
» RHP Alex Storako struck out 12 against NKU for her fourth double-digit strikeout game of the season.

Site: Durham, N.C. (Duke Softball Stadium)
Event: Duke Invitational (Day 2 of 2)
Scores: #13 Duke 6, #19 Michigan 1; #19 Michigan 14, Northern Kentucky 1
Records: U-M (8-5), Duke (13-4), NKU (7-7)
Next U-M Event: Monday, Feb. 28 -- at Elon (Elon, N.C.), 4:30 p.m.

DURHAM, N.C. -- The No. 19-ranked University of Michigan softball team split its final two games of the Duke Invitational, falling to No. 13 Duke, 6-1, before powering past Northern Kentucky, 14-1, Saturday evening (Feb. 26) at Duke Softball Stadium.

Michigan used a power surge to boast season highs in nearly every offensive category in the NKU contest, including 16 hits with three homers and six total extra-base hits. Graduate student outfielder Kristina Burkhardt went 4-for-5, tying her career high in hits, with three runs and two runs batted in, while senior catcher Hannah Carson and junior first baseman Lauren Esman posted two hits and two runs apiece and combined for seven RBI. Carson, Esman and sophomore second baseman Sierra Kersten all homered.

Senior RHP Alex Storako (7-0) struck out 12 -- her fourth game of the season with double-digit strikeouts -- and allowed one run on three hits, including two bunt singles, through six innings against the Norse.

The Wolverines scored in bunches against Northern Kentucky, including six spots in the third and seventh frames. Michigan led off the former with five consecutive hits, highlighted by Carson's two-run bomb to right-center -- her second homer in as many days. Junior outfielder Audrey LeClair picked up the rally with two outs, sending a gapper to left-center for a two-run triple. It was LeClair's second career hit and first for extra bases.

Burkhardt tripled to key U-M's two-run sixth inning before Kersten knocked out her second homer of the tournament with a solo shot off the right-field foul pole. NKU then walked the bases loaded with no outs in the seventh and, after a groundout plated a run, Burkhardt kicked off another hitting surge with an RBI single to center. Carson followed suit, and Esman finished it off with her three-run blast to right -- her first long ball of the season.

The offensive explosion against NKU came in contrast to the earlier game when the Wolverines struggled to get it going against Duke. Michigan fell behind early after the Blue Devils scored five runs with two outs over the second and third innings, including a three-run homer in the latter frame.

Burkhardt scored U-M's lone run in the fourth, reaching on a one-out double to center before ultimately scoring on a Carson sacrifice fly. Burkhardt owns seven doubles on the season; nearly half (nine) of her team-best 20 hits have gone for extra bases.

Graduate student LHP Meghan Beaubien (1-3) took the loss from the circle, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks with three strikeouts over three innings.

The Wolverines (8-5) will remain in North Carolina for a pair of midweek games as part of their annual spring break trip. U-M will travel first to Elon, N.C., for a 4:30 p.m. tilt against Elon on Monday (Feb. 28) at Hunt Softball Park. Michigan also will face North Carolina at 5 p.m. Tuesday (March 1) at Anderson Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.