Wolverines Cannot Overcome Early Deficit, Home Runs Against Coyotes

Saturday, March 9

Tempe, Ariz.

9:00 AM MT

Michigan

12-10

South Dakota

15-11

South Dakota

Michigan

Abby Skvarce

Wolverines Cannot Overcome Early Deficit, Home Runs Against Coyotes

3/9/2019 3:27:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan could not overcome an early deficit in a 6-4 loss to South Dakota in its ASU Invitational finale.
» South Dakota earned five of its six runs on a pair of home runs, including a three-run shot in the first inning.
» Abby Skvarce tallied a pinch-hit, two-run single in the fifth inning, and Faith Canfield went 3-for-4 at the top of the lineup.

Site: Tempe, Ariz. (Farrington Softball Stadium)
Event: ASU Invitational (Day 3 of 3)
Scores: South Dakota 6, #25 Michigan 4
Records: U-M (12-10), USD (15-11)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, March 16 -- DH vs. Kent State (Wilpon Complex), 2 p.m.

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The No. 25-ranked University of Michigan softball team could not overcome an early deficit in its ASU Invitational finale, falling to South Dakota, 6-4, Saturday morning (March 9) at Arizona State's Farrington Softball Stadium.

Home runs doomed the Wolverines and accounted for five of South Dakota's six runs, including a three-run shot in the top of the first inning. Michigan never led in the contest.

The Wolverines narrowed the deficit with a run in the second inning, stringing together a pair of hits and a walk to load the bases before a fielder's choice from senior second baseman Faith Canfield -- who went 3-for-4 on the day -- pushed across the run. But South Dakota doubled its runs and surged ahead with three more in the top of the fifth, scoring on a two-run homer and a fielder's choice following a Michigan throwing error.

Michigan answered with two runs in the home half of the fifth when junior Abby Skvarce drove a pinch-hit, two-run single into left for her first hit and first RBI of the season. The Wolverines put runners on again in the seventh and plated one on senior third baseman Mackenzie Nemitz's RBI single, but a flyout in the next at-bat ended the threat and the game.

Sophomore RHP Sarah Schaefer (1-1) started the game and took the defeat, allowing three runs off three hits and a walk. Freshman RHP Alex Storako and sophomore LHP Meghan Beaubien also saw time in the circle, combining for 10 strikeouts while allowing six hits.

Michigan (12-10) will make its home debut with a three-game series against Kent State next weekend at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field. The series will consist of a 2 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday (March 16) and a 1 p.m. slate on Sunday (March 17). Tickets are available through the U-M Ticket Office.