Wolverines Use Seventh-Inning Run to Edge Illinois in Series Opener

Friday, April 19

Champaign, Ill.

5:00 PM CT

Michigan

31-11, 13-1

Illinois

27-15, 6-7

Michigan

Illinois

Meghan Beaubien

Wolverines Use Seventh-Inning Run to Edge Illinois in Series Opener

4/19/2019 9:18:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Leah Howard

» After sacrificing a narrow lead in the sixth, Michigan used a seventh-inning sac fly to retake the lead and edge Illinois, 2-1, in the series opener.
» Lexie Blair drove in the game-winning run in the seventh and scored in the first as part of a 1-for-1, two-walk effort.
» Meghan Beaubien struck out three while allowing one run on three hits and a walk.

Site: Champaign, Ill. (Eichelberger Field)
Scores: #22 Michigan 2, Illinois 1
Records: U-M (31-11, 13-1 Big Ten), Illinois (27-15, 6-7 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, April 20 -- at Illinois (Champaign, Ill.), 1 p.m. CDT

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The No. 22-ranked University of Michigan softball team used a seventh-inning sacrifice fly to plate the go-ahead and game-winning run in its 2-1 win in the series opener at Illinois on Friday evening (April 19) at Eichelberger Field.

U-M led for all but one half-inning in the game after scoring in the first, sacrificing its advantage in the bottom of the sixth and immediately responding with the winning run in the top of the seventh.

Senior second baseman Faith Canfield drew a leadoff walk to kickstart the late rally, advanced on a wild pitch and a groundout before freshman left fielder Lexie Blair sent her home with a fly ball deep to left field.

The Fighting Illini tied the game and threatened much more in the previous half inning. After a pair of singles and a sac bunt, Illinois used a fielder's choice to third base to push across the tying run, beating the throw to the plate, before a walk loaded the bases with just one out. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Meghan Beaubien held the runners with a flyout to shallow right field before using a ground ball fielder's choice to second to get out of the jam.

Michigan took the initial lead with two outs in the first inning when Blair walked and then scored from first on senior first baseman Alex Sobczak's roped double to the right-center field wall. Blair, who scored early and drove in a run late, went 1-for-1 with a double of her own -- her team-best 16th of the season -- and two walks to headline the Wolverine offense on the night.

Beaubien (19-4) allowed one run on three hits and a walk and struck out three. She was outstanding but for the sixth inning, only two other baserunners -- on a first-inning single and fifth-inning fielding error.

With the Wolverine lead reestablished in the seventh, she needed just nine pitches to set down the side in the home half of the frame, using a pop out, strikeout and a groundout to end the game.

Michigan (31-11, 13-1 Big Ten) will resume its weekend series at Illinois on Saturday (April 20) with a 1 p.m. CDT slate at Eichelberger Field.