Wolverines Split Games on Final Day at John Cropp Classic

Sunday, March 12

Lexington, Ky.

Noon

Michigan

14-6-1

Kent State

8-10

Kent State

Michigan

Wolverines Split Games on Final Day at John Cropp Classic

3/12/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

March 12, 2017

» No. 17 U-M posted back-to-back big innings to surge past Kent State, 5-1, before falling to No. 19 host Kentucky, 5-1, on the final day at the John Cropp Classic.
» RHP Tera Blanco recorded her best collegiate pitching performance, striking out a career-best best 13 while allowing just two hits and no walks against Kent State. She also posted three runs batted in.
» Taylor Swearingen drove in U-M's only run against Kentucky on a pinch-hit leadoff homer in the fifth inning.

• Boxscores: Kent State | Kentucky

Site: Lexington, Ky. (John Cropp Stadium)
Event: John Cropp Classic (Day 2 of 2)
Scores: #17 Michigan 5, Kent State 1; #19 Kentucky 5, #17 Michigan 1
Records: U-M (14-7-1), KSU (8-10), UK (18-4)
Next U-M Event: Wednesday, March 15 -- vs. Bowling Green (Wilpon Complex), 4 p.m.

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The No. 17-ranked University of Michigan softball team split its final two games of the John Cropp Classic, surging past Kent State, 5-1, before falling to No. 19 host Kentucky, 5-1, on Sunday (March 12) at the Wildcats' John Cropp Stadium.

Junior RHP Tera Blanco headlined the Wolverines' victory against KSU, registering her best collegiate performance from the circle. She allowed just two hits and no walks while striking out a career-best 13, and helped her cause with a hit and three runs batted in. Junior first baseman Aidan Falk also stoked U-M's offense with a pair of leadoff doubles.

Michigan rallied from an initial deficit after Kent State scored an unearned run in the top of the fourth inning. The Wolverines responded with three in the home half of the frame, loading the bases with one out before scoring on a hit-by-pitch, walk and a groundout.

The Wolverines extended their lead in the fifth, keyed by Falk's second leadoff double in as many innings. Alexander singled to the pitcher, and Blanco plated both runners with a two-run rope to leftfield. With the additional run support, the Wolverine RHP struck out five of the final six batters faced.

Michigan outhit the Wildcats in the second slate but struggled with runners in scoring position, leaving seven stranded, including the bases loaded in the first and fifth innings.

Kentucky took advantage of miscues to plate runs in the first and third innings, putting a runner on third base on a passed ball in the former and scoring on a wild pitch in the latter.

Junior pinch hitter Taylor Swearingen cut the deficit with a leadoff solo shot to leftfield in the fifth inning -- her first long ball of the season -- and Michigan loaded the bases with just one out but could not capitalize. The tying run was thrown at the plate before a groundout ended the threat.

Kentucky registered a home run of its own in the sixth, knocking out a three-run shot to rightfield, to cushion its lead to four runs -- the final margin of victory.

Senior RHP Megan Betsa (6-5) struck out seven Wildcat batters and allowed five runs -- four earned -- on five hits and three walks.

The Wolverines (14-7-1) will kick off the home portion of their 2017 schedule on Wednesday (March 15), hosting Bowling Green at 4 p.m. at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field.

Communications Contact: Leah Howard