Wolverines Earn Run-Rule Decision in Series Opener at Rutgers

Friday, March 29

Piscataway, N.J.

3:00 PM

Michigan

21-10, 4-0

Rutgers

16-15, 0-4

Michigan

Rutgers

Wolverines Earn Run-Rule Decision in Series Opener at Rutgers

3/29/2019 5:31:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan scored in all but one frame to roll to a 10-2, five-inning decision in the series opener at Rutgers; it was U-M's ninth win in a row.
» Alex Sobczak and Lexie Blair homered in the first and fifth innings, respectively; U-M has posted multiple homers in each of the last three games.
» Blair went 2-for-2 with two runs and scored four runs -- the most by a Wolverine player in two seasons.

Site: Piscataway, N.J. (Rutgers Softball Complex)
Scores: #23 Michigan 10, Rutgers 2 (5 inn.)
Records: U-M (21-10, 4-0 Big Ten), Rutgers (16-15, 0-4 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, March 30 -- Doubleheader at Rutgers (Piscataway, N.J.), 1 p.m.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- The No. 23-ranked University of Michigan softball team scored early and often en route to a 10-2, five-inning decision in its series opener at Rutgers on Friday afternoon (March 29) at the Rutgers Softball Complex. The win was the ninth in a row for the Wolverines, who remain unbeaten in Big Ten Conference play.

Michigan tallied runs in all but one inning of the shortened contest and opened and closed its scoring with home runs from senior first baseman Alex Sobczak and freshman left fielder Lexie Blair in the first and fifth frames, respectively. The Wolverines have posted multiple home runs in each of their last three games.

Sobczak's home run was her fourth of the season -- already a career best -- and pushed across three runs to break open the game in the top of the first. Senior second baseman Faith Canfield and Blair were aboard after leadoff single and a walk. Canfield, Sobczak and Blair all posted two hits on the day to pace the Wolverines' offense.

Michigan manufactured three more runs to double its lead in the third, including a Blair run off a bases-loaded wild pitch, while Blair also keyed a two-run fourth with an RBI double to the right-center gap. Junior third baseman Madison Uden also drove in a run in the fourth with a single through the right side.

Blair pushed the Wolverine lead into run-rule territory with a two-run homer over the left-field wall in the top of the fifth for her third long ball of the season. Blair, who went 2-for-2 with two walks, scored four runs -- the most by a Michigan player in two seasons.

Sophomore left-handed pitcher Meghan Beaubien (12-3) allowed two runs off six hits and no walks -- snapping her shutout-inning streak at 32 -- while striking out five Scarlet Knight batters. Rutgers scored its runs on a solo home run in the third and a fifth-inning fielding error.

Due to rain in Sunday's (March 31) forecast, Michigan (21-10, 4-0 Big Ten) will wrap up its weekend series with two games Saturday (March 30), taking the Scarlet Knights in a 1 p.m. doubleheader at the Rutgers Softball Complex.