U-M Drops ACC/Big Ten Challenge Finale at North Carolina

Sunday, February 17

Chapel Hill, N.C.

12:30 PM

Michigan

4-5

North Carolina

5-3

North Carolina

Michigan

Katie Alexander

U-M Drops ACC/Big Ten Challenge Finale at North Carolina

2/17/2019 4:33:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Leah Howard

» No. 17 Michigan dropped its ACC/Big Ten Challenge finale, 4-2, to host North Carolina.
» Katie Alexander knocked out a two-run homer in the third to tie the score, but UNC manufactured runs in the fifth and seventh to retake the lead.
» RHP Alex Storako took the loss from the circle, allowing one hit and three walks while striking out three through two relief innings pitched.

Site: Chapel Hill, N.C. (Anderson Stadium)
Event: ACC/Big Ten Challenge (Day 3 of 3)
Scores: North Carolina 4, #17 Michigan 2
Records: U-M (4-5), UNC (5-3)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Feb. 22 -- vs. Stanford - LSU Invitational (Baton Rouge, La.), 2:30 p.m. CST

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The No. 17-ranked University of Michigan softball team overcame an initial deficit to even the score against North Carolina but could not complete the comeback, falling to the Tar Heels, 4-2, on the third and final day of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 17) at UNC's Anderson Stadium.

The Tar Heels retook the lead on a bases-loaded fielder's choice in the fifth inning having putting three aboard on a walk and two hit-by-pitches with no outs. They again used two hit batters and a walk to load the bases in the seven, sending across an insurance run with a sac fly to rightfield.

North Carolina took the initial lead with two runs in the third inning, first on a throwing error and on a subsequent single through the left side. But Michigan responded in the home half of the frame when senior catcher Katie Alexander smacked a two-run home run deep over the leftfield wall -- her third long ball of the season.

All three Wolverine pitchers threw at least two innings in the contest. Freshman RHP Alex Storako (3-3) took the loss in a relief effort, allowing the Tar Heels' fifth-inning tally while giving up one hit and three walks while striking out three through two innings pitched.

Michigan (4-4) will head to SEC territory next weekend, traveling to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for a five-game slate at the LSU Invitational. The Wolverines open play with two games on Friday (Feb. 22), taking on Stanford at 2:30 p.m. CST, before facing host LSU at 7:30 p.m. CST at Tiger Park.