Wolverines Fall to Virginia Tech, Bounce Back Against Wichita State

Saturday, February 24

Austin, Texas

9:30 AM CT

Michigan

6-6

Virginia Tech

7-3

Michigan

Virginia Tech

Wolverines Fall to Virginia Tech, Bounce Back Against Wichita State

2/24/2018 3:38:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Leah Howard

» No. 20 Michigan fell to Virginia Tech, 1-0, in eight innings but bounced back with an 11-0, five-inning decision against Wichita State on the second day at the Texas Invitational.
» U-M plated a season-high 11 runs in the WSU game, highlighted by Madison Uden's three-hit, three-RBI effort -- just a home run shy of the cycle; Aidan Falk also posted two hits and three RBI.
» Michigan's three pitchers combined for just one unearned run allowed off five hits and two walks through 13 total innings; Virginia Tech scored on a suicide squeeze in the eighth inning.

Site: Austin, Texas (Red & Charline McCombs Field)
Event: Texas Invitational (Day 2 of 3)
Scores: Virginia Tech 1, #20 Michigan 0 (8 inn.); #20 Michigan 11, Wichita State 0 (5 inn.)
Records: U-M (7-6), VT (7-3), WSU (6-6)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Feb. 25 -- at Texas - Texas Invitational (Austin, Texas), 1:30 p.m. CST

AUSTIN, Texas -- The No. 20-ranked University of Michigan softball team split two more games at the Texas Invitational, bouncing back with a dominant 11-0, five-inning decision against Wichita State after falling to Virginia Tech, 1-0, in eight innings on Saturday (Feb. 24) at Texas' Red & Charline McCombs Field.

Michigan's pitching was outstanding in both contests, allowing just one unearned run, five hits and two walks through 13 innings. Freshman LHP Meghan Beaubien (6-2) took both decisions, combining with freshman RHP Sarah Schaefer for a two-hit shutout against the Shockers after losing the Virginia Tech game under the international tiebreaker in the eighth inning.

After a sluggish several games at the plate, the Wolverines' bats came alive against Wichita State, as U-M pounded out a season-best 11 runs on 12 hits, highlighted by sophomore designated player Madison Uden's three-hit, three-RBI effort -- just a home run short of the cycle. Senior rightfielder Aidan Falk also posted three RBI on two hits, while junior third baseman Alex Sobczak registered a two-run double.

U-M struck quickly against the Shockers, plating six in the first inning and three in the second to secure its run-rule advantage. Junior second baseman Faith Canfield led off the game with a bunt single, advanced on a sac bunt and a wild pitch and crossed for the first and winning run when junior catcher Katie Alexander punched an RBI single into leftfield. Uden drove the next pitch to the right centerfield wall to score two more and, after a WSU pitching change, sophomore leftfielder Haley Hoogenraad, Sobczak and freshman shortstop Natalia Rodriguez all followed with RBI hits of their own.

Uden added hits in each of her next two plate appearances, including her first collegiate triple to score two more in the second inning, and was followed each time by an RBI hit from Falk, who closed out U-M's scoring with a two-run single to leftfield in the fourth.

Michigan's hitting explosion was in stark contrast to the morning slate, when the Wolverines combined for just four hits and was shut out for the second time in as many games. U-M left six runners on base and twice had the go-ahead run just 60 feet away.

The Hokies won the game on a walk-off suicide squeeze in the bottom of the eighth. Under the international tiebreaker, the runner was placed on second base, advanced on a sac bunt and scored on a well-placed bunt just a couple feet down the third baseline.

Michigan (7-6) will take on host Texas in its final game of the Texas Invitational tomorrow (Sunday, Feb. 25) at 1:30 p.m. CST at McCombs Field. The game will be broadcast live on the Longhorn Network and on WCBN Radio.