Michigan
43-4, 20-2
Rutgers
24-31, 8-14
Wolverines Clinch Ninth Straight Big Ten Title
5/7/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 7, 2016
» With their 20-2 Big Ten record, the Wolverines clinched their ninth straight -- and 19th overall -- Big Ten title; U-M captured the outright regular-season crown outright.
» Michigan posted 12 hits, including three home runs and four doubles; Sierra Romero and Faith Canfield homered in U-M's six-run fourth.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Complex)
Scores: #2 Michigan 11, Rutgers 1 (5 inn.)
Records: U-M (43-4, 20-2 Big Ten), RU (24-31, 8-14 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, May 8 -- vs. Rutgers (Wilpon Complex), Noon
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 2-ranked University of Michigan softball team clinched its ninth straight Big Ten Conference title with its 11-1, five-inning decision against Rutgers on Saturday afternoon (May 7) in front of a sell-out crowd of 2,473 fans at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field. The Wolverines, who also pushed their win streak to 16 in a row, improved to 20-2 in conference play.
Michigan has captured 19 of the last 25 Big Ten regular-season crowns and has claimed at least a share of every title since 2008. No other team has claimed more than two conference titles in a row.
The Wolverines scored in three of four innings in the shortened contest, including six in the bottom of the fourth to push the margin into run-rule territory.
Senior second baseman Sierra Romero and freshman designated player Faith Canfield knocked out two-run bombs in the fourth -- two of U-M's three homers in the game -- while sophomore catcher Aidan Falk dropped in a two-run double -- her second two-bagger of the game and fifth in three games -- into no man's land in shallow left center. It marks Romero's 14th homer of the season and Canfield's third.
Sophomore first baseman Tera Blanco also went yard, providing the Wolverines an early cushion with a two-run blast down the leftfield line -- her ninth this season. Romero, who posted four RBI on the day, also tallied sac fly in the first and drew a bases-loaded walk on four pitches in the second.
Michigan boasted 12 hits -- its 20th game this season with double-digit hits -- with three homers and four doubles. Senior centerfielder Sierra Lawrence, Blanco, Falk and Canfield posted two base knocks apiece.
Senior RHP Sara Driesenga (20-0) was stout from the circle, scattering three hits and a walk while striking out six through five innings.
Rutgers, which scored its lone run on a comebacker to the circle in the second inning, singled to lead off the top of the fifth, but Driesenga made quick work of the next three batters on a three-pitch strikeout, popped foul bunt -- highlighted by freshman catcher Katie Alexander's diving grab -- and a flyout.
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Make it nine straight #B1G titles for @umichsoftball. https://t.co/v55iicqpvm-- Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) May 7, 2016
Michigan will close out the regular season tomorrow (Sunday, May 8), hosting Rutgers at noon at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field. The game is sold out but will be streamed live on BTN Plus.
Communications Contact: Leah Howard
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Driesenga, Sara (20-0)
L: Maddox, Dresden (9-14)
Batting:
RBI: Anico, Nicolette 1
SH: Adams, Elizabeth 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Slowinski, Melanie 1
SB: Todd, Carly 2
Batting:
2B: Lawrence, Sierra 1 ; Blanco, Tera 1 ; Falk, Aidan 2
HR: Romero, Sierra 1 ; Blanco, Tera 1 ; Canfield, Faith 1
RBI: Romero, Sierra 4 ; Christner, Kelly 1 ; Blanco, Tera 2 ; Falk, Aidan 2 ; Canfield, Faith 2
SF: Romero, Sierra 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lawrence, Sierra 2 ; Romero, Sierra 1 ; Christner, Kelly 1 ; Susalla, Kelsey 1 ; Blanco, Tera 2 ; Falk, Aidan 1 ; Canfield, Faith 2 ; Montemarano, Lindsay 1
SB: Christner, Kelly 1
