Michigan
34-11, 16-1
Michigan State
15-29, 3-13
Wolverines Run Rule In-State Rival MSU to Sweep Home-and-Home Series
4/23/2019 10:48:00 PM | Softball
» Michigan posted double-digit hits for the fourth time in five games to cruise to a 16-1, five-inning win against in-state rival Michigan State and sweep the home-and-home series.
» Mackenzie Nemitz, Katie Alexander and Faith Canfield all hit home runs, combining for seven hits and 11 RBI, to highlight big innings in the first, second and fourth.
» Meghan Beaubien and Alex Storako combined for nine strikeouts and allowed just one run on three hits and a walk.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Complex)
Scores: #22 Michigan 16, Michigan State 1 (5 inn.)
Records: U-M (34-11, 16-1 Big Ten), MSU (15-29, 3-13 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Friday, April 26 -- vs. Penn State (Wilpon Complex), 6 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 22-ranked University of Michigan softball team took advantage of its power at the plate to cruise to a 16-1, five-inning decision against in-state rival Michigan State, sweeping its annual home-and-home series, on Tuesday evening (April 23) in front of a capacity crowd of 2,490 at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field.
The Wolverines posted double-digit hits for the fourth time in five games, pounding out 14 base knocks with three doubles and three home runs. Three seniors knocked out the homers and highlighted the U-M offense. Designated player Mackenzie Nemitz went 2-for-3 with five RBI, second baseman Faith Canfield hit 2-for-2 with four RBI -- all on a fourth-inning grand slam -- and catcher Katie Alexander went 3-for-3 with two RBI.
Michigan put up big runs in the first, second and fourth innings in the abbreviated game -- all highlighted by a home runs. The Wolverines took advantage of a fielding error to push across the game's first run in the opening frame before Nemitz crushed a no-doubt, three-run blast down the right-field line and into the grandstand seating -- her fifth long ball of the season.
Alexander led off the second with her team-best 10th home run of the season -- and sixth in eight games -- with a solo shot over the right-center field wall. Freshman left fielder Lexie Blair and senior first baseman Alex Sobczak followed with back-to-back RBI singles to center field. Blair posted two hits in the game to extend her hitting streak nine straight games.
Michigan blew the game open -- and pushed it into run-rule territory -- with nine runs in the fourth. Nemitz and Alexander both drove in more runs on a roped two-run double to the left-field wall and an RBI single to center field, respectively. A subsequent hit-by-pitch brought on a new MSU pitcher and loaded the bases for Canfield, who connected with the second pitch and drove it deep over the center-field wall for her seventh homer of the season and second career grand slam.
Sophomore left-handed pitcher Meghan Beaubien (22-4) struck out seven while allowing one run on three hits and a walk. Freshman Alex Storako tacked off two more strikeouts in a 1-2-3 fifth inning to close out the game.
Michigan (34-11, 16-1 Big Ten) will close out its regular-season home slate with a three-game set against Penn State this weekend at Alumni Field. The series kicks off the program's annual Pink Game at 6 p.m. on Friday (April 26) -- the only game that is not already sold out. Tickets are available through the U-M Ticket Office.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Beaubien, Meghan (22-4)
L: Gregory,McKenna (4-11)
Batting:
2B: Echols,Ebonee 1
RBI: Echols,Ebonee 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ladd,Caitie 1
HBP: Ladd,Caitie 1
Batting:
2B: Blair, Lexie 1 ; Nemitz, Mackenzie 1 ; Alexander, Katie 1
HR: Canfield, Faith 1 ; Nemitz, Mackenzie 1 ; Alexander, Katie 1
RBI: Canfield, Faith 4 ; Blair, Lexie 1 ; Sobczak, Alex 1 ; Uden, Madison 1 ; Nemitz, Mackenzie 5 ; Carson, Hannah 1 ; Alexander, Katie 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Canfield, Faith 2 ; Peters, Natalie 2 ; Blair, Lexie 1 ; Skvarce, Abby 1 ; Sobczak, Alex 1 ; Uden, Madison 2 ; Nemitz, Mackenzie 1 ; Gonzalez, Thais 1 ; Hoogenraad, Haley 1 ; Alexander, Katie 2 ; Rodriguez, Natalia 1 ; Overaitis, Morgan 1
SB: Peters, Natalie 1
HBP: Canfield, Faith 1 ; Overaitis, Morgan 1
