Wolverines Power Past Ohio State in Series Opener

Friday, April 12

Columbus, Ohio

6:00 PM

Michigan

28-10, 10-0

Ohio State

24-13, 8-4

Michigan

Ohio State

Katie Alexander

4/12/2019 9:33:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan posted three home runs to rally from an initial deficit and defeat Ohio State, 10-3, in the series opener in Columbus; it was U-M's 16th straight win.
» Katie Alexander and Haley Hoogenraad combined for four hits and eight RBI; Alexander posted a pair of home runs, while Hoogenraad knocked out an insurance grand slam in the seventh.
» LHP Meghan Beaubien allowed three runs on seven hits and a hit-by-pitch with six strikeouts.

Site: Columbus, Ohio (Buckeye Field)
Scores: #21 Michigan 10, Ohio State 3
Records: U-M (28-10, 10-0 B1G), OSU (24-13, 8-4 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, April 13 -- doubleheader at Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio), 2 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The No. 21-ranked University of Michigan softball team knocked out three home runs, two off the bat of senior catcher Katie Alexander, to rally from an initial deficit and defeat rival Ohio State, 10-3, in the series opener on Friday night (April 12) at Buckeye Field. The Wolverines extended their win streak to 16 straight games.

Michigan scored seven of its 10 runs via the long ball and, similarly, scored seven runs with two outs. Alexander and junior right fielder Haley Hoogenraad led the Wolverines from the bottom of the order, combining for four hits, including three homers, and eight RBI -- half of them off Hoogenraad's insurance grand slam in the top of the seventh inning. Freshman left fielder Lexie Blair also starred with three hits and a pair of runs scored from the three slot.

Ohio State broke the scoreless tie with a run in the bottom of the third inning, but the Wolverines responded with a four spot in the next half-inning and did not trail again. Junior third baseman Madison Uden evened the score with an RBI ground out to short before Hoogenraad pushed across the go-ahead run with a fly-ball triple down the right-field line -- her first three-bagger of the season. Just two pitches later, Alexander knocked out a no-doubt two-run bomb off the scoreboard in right-center field.

The Buckeyes responded with a two-out, two-run homer of their own in the home half of the frame, but Michigan got one back in the fifth on a sacrifice fly from senior first baseman Alex Sobczak. It was the first of six unanswered Wolverine runs to close out the game.

Alexander went yard again in the sixth with a solo shot to left-center, upping her season total to a career-best six home runs. She became the first Wolverine to post two homers in a game since Tera Blanco did so last season against Purdue.

Michigan used back-to-back singles and a four-pitch walk to load the bases in the seventh and, after two quick outs put the threat in jeopardy, Hoogenraad connected with a 1-0 pitch and launched it deep over the left-center field wall -- her second home run of the season and second collegiate grand slam.

Sophomore left-handed pitcher Meghan Beaubien (17-3) went the distance in the circle, holding a potent Buckeye lineup to three runs on seven hits and a hit-by-pitch. She struck six and did not allow an OSU baserunner after the fifth inning.

Michigan (28-10, 10-0 Big Ten) will conclude its three-game set at Ohio State with a 2 p.m. doubleheader Saturday (April 13) at Buckeye Field.