Michigan
14-6
Kent State
6-8
Wolverines Use Run-Rule, Walk-Off Wins to Sweep Kent State Doubleheader
3/10/2022 10:00:00 PM | Softball
» No. 19 Michigan cruised to an 11-1, five-inning win in the opener, then walked off, 4-3, in the nightcap to sweep Kent State in its home-opening doubleheader.
» Ella McVey delivered the game-winning hit with a two-out single in the seventh in game two.
» Lexie Blair, Keke Tholl and Lauren Esman all homered in the twinbill.
» RHP Alex Storako earned both wins from the circle, striking out 13 in a two-hitter in the opener before winning in relief in game two; Meghan Beaubien allowed just one run and fanned nine through six innings.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 19-ranked University of Michigan softball team earned a doubleheader sweep in its home opener, defeating Kent State 11-1 in five innings and 4-3 on Thursday evening (March 10) in front of 1,018 fans at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field.
The Wolverines won in a walk-off in the second slate when freshman shortstop Ella McVey delivered the clutch hit with a two-out RBI single through the right side, while junior outfielder Audrey LeClair, who reached on a muffed throw at first base and stole second, rounded third to score the game-winning run.
Michigan required the seventh-inning dramatics after Kent State scored three runs over the sixth and seventh frames, including a game-tying leadoff solo homer in the latter. The long ball was the first hit allowed by graduate student LHP Meghan Beaubien, who struck out nine Golden Flashes in a solid no-decision effort. Senior RHP Alex Storako replaced her in the circle, forced three consecutive popouts to end the inning and, when U-M retook the lead in the home half, earned the win to improve to 12-0 this season.
U-M also scored runs in the first and fifth. The Wolverines took advantage of a throwing error to get on the board early, while junior first baseman Lauren Esman bombed out a two-run, no-doubt shot to center field in the latter frame. It was her third homer in nine games.
The Wolverines also took advantage of numerous KSU miscues and some big hits to score runs -- notably seven in the fourth -- in every inning of the abbreviated first game. Senior outfielder Lexie Blair and sophomore catcher Keke Tholl homered in the second and fourth frames, respectively, to highlight the offensive effort. Blair posted a season-high three hits and two RBI on her first homer of the season to the grandstand beyond right-center.
Tholl wrapped up scoring with a three-run, pinch-hit shot to straightaway center with two outs in the fourth -- her third long ball in five games. Blair singled to lead off the frame, advanced on two errors, and scored when graduate student outfielder Kristina Burkhardt drove an RBI single to left. Michigan added another on a fielder's choice before LeClair restarted the rally with two outs on a lined two-run single past the Golden Flash third baseman.
Storako struck out 13 in the opening game -- her seventh game with double-digit strikeouts this season and third in a row -- while allowing one run on two hits, including a fourth-inning solo homer, and two walks.
Michigan (15-6) will wrap up its Kent State series with a 1 p.m. slate on Sunday (March 13) at Alumni Field. Tickets are available online at MGoBlue.com/tickets.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Storako, Alex (11-0)
L: LEBEAU, Jessica (3-4)
Batting:
HR: HERSHBERGER, Madison 1
RBI: HERSHBERGER, Madison 1
Base Running:
RUNS: HERSHBERGER, Madison 1
Batting:
HR: Blair, Lexie 1 ; Tholl, Keke 1
RBI: Blair, Lexie 2 ; Burkhardt, Kristina 1 ; Carson, Hannah 1 ; Esman, Lauren 1 ; LeClair, Audrey 3 ; Tholl, Keke 3
SF: Carson, Hannah 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Blair, Lexie 3 ; Livingston, Melina 1 ; Burkhardt, Kristina 1 ; Carson, Hannah 2 ; Esman, Lauren 1 ; Bump, Taylor 1 ; LeClair, Audrey 1 ; Tholl, Keke 1
HBP: Livingston, Melina 1
