Vargas' Sixth-Inning Homer Pushes Wolverines Past No. 13 UCLA

Wednesday, March 2

Los Angeles, Calif.

7:00 PM PT

Michigan

13-2

UCLA

9-7

Michigan

UCLA

Vargas' Sixth-Inning Homer Pushes Wolverines Past No. 13 UCLA

3/3/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

March 3, 2016

Amanda Vargas

» The Wolverines struck early and late to defeat No. 13 UCLA, 8-6, and claim their fourth win over a ranked opponent this season.
» Amanda Vargas broke the deadlocked game with a three-run, pinch-hit home run in the sixth inning, and Kelsey Susalla added insurance with a solo shot in the seventh.
» Michigan also plated four runs in the top of the fifth inning, earning RBI singles from Sierra Romero, Kelly Christner and Aidan Falk.

• Box Score | Photo Gallery

Site: Los Angeles, Calif. (Easton Stadium)
Scores: #2 Michigan 8, #13 UCLA 6
Records: U-M (13-2), UCLA (9-7)
Next U-M Event: Thursday, March 3 -- vs. Missouri - Judi Garman Classic (Fullerton, Calif.), 10:30 a.m. PST

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Sophomore Amanda Vargas boomed a three-run, pinch-hit home run deep over the leftfield wall to break open a deadlocked game in the sixth inning, propelling the No. 2-ranked University of Michigan softball team to an 8-6 road win at No. 13 UCLA on Wednesday evening (March 2) at the Bruins' Easton Stadium.

The Wolverines did not wait long to respond after UCLA knotted up the game, 4-4, with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two Michigan runners aboard after early walks, Vargas launched the 1-0 pitch high into the trees beyond leftfield -- her second pinch-hit homer of the season.

Senior rightfielder Kelsey Susalla added insurance with a solo shot in the seventh, driving a deep ball high over the rightfield fence -- her fourth long ball of the season -- to give U-M an 8-4 lead.

UCLA provided some drama itself in the home half of the seventh, plating two runs with two outs on Delaney Spaulding's two-run single through the left side. Senior RHP Sara Driesenga, who started the game but was pulled in the fifth, forced the final out on the groundout to third base to earn her first save of the season.

Junior RHP Megan Betsa (5-1) earned the win in relief, allowing no hits and four walks while striking out one through 2.0 innings pitched.

Michigan struck quickly in the contest, batting through the order and scoring four runs off of four hits and a pair of walks in the first inning. Senior second baseman Sierra Romero, junior leftfielder Kelly Christner and sophomore designated player Aidan Falk all posted RBI singles -- the latter a two-run chopper up the middle on the first pitch after a UCLA pitching change.

Bruin RHP Johanna Grauer, who entered with bases loaded and just one out in the first, quieted Michigan's bats for several innings, allowing just two base runners -- on two walks -- over the next four innings. While Michigan struggled at the plate, UCLA pulled itself back into the ball game, scoring a run apiece in the first and the fourth before evening the score on a pair of bases-loaded walks in the fifth.

Michigan's offense reawakened with the home runs in the late innings. It was the Wolverines' sixth game this year with multiple long balls; they upped their season home run tally to 26 through 15 games.

Tweet of the Game

PANDA POWER! 🐼🐼🐼 Vargas swings the bamboo and knocks the ball long over the left field fence, taking the lead back! pic.twitter.com/FiyqkGM7Eo

-- Michigan Softball (@umichsoftball) March 3, 2016

The Wolverines (13-2) will roll right into their next event tomorrow (Thursday, May 3), kicking off its annual appearance at the Judi Garman Classic with a 10:30 a.m. PST slate against No. 18 Missouri at the Anderson Family Field in Fullerton, California. U-M will also face Long Beach State at 1 p.m. tomorrow. All Judi Garman Classic games this weekend will be streamed live on FloSoftball.com.

Communications Contact: Leah Howard