Wolverines Use Offensive Onslaught to Beat Badgers in B1G Semifinal

Saturday, May 11

Bloomington, Ind.

9:00 AM

Michigan

42-11

Wisconsin

40-12

Wisconsin

Michigan

Meghan Beaubien

Wolverines Use Offensive Onslaught to Beat Badgers in B1G Semifinal

5/11/2019 12:42:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan scored in each of the first five innings to cruise to an 8-3 decision over Wisconsin in the first Big Ten Tournament semifinal.
» The top of the U-M order was particularly strong. Faith Canfield matched a career best with four hits, while the next four Wolverines combined for seven hits and six RBI.
» In the championship game for the first time since 2016, Michigan is going for its 10th Big Ten Tournament title and first since 2015.

Site: Bloomington, Ind. (Andy Mohr Field)
Event: Big Ten Tournament (Semifinal)
Scores: #21 Michigan 8, Wisconsin 3
Records: U-M (42-11), UW (40-12)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, May 11 -- Big Ten Tournament Final (Bloomington, Ind.), 2 p.m.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- After using an eighth-inning walk-off to break a scoreless tie yesterday, the No. 21-ranked University of Michigan softball team saw an offensive explosion in its Big Ten Tournament semifinal game, scoring early and often to cruise to an 8-3 decision against Wisconsin Saturday morning (May 11) at Indiana's Andy Mohr Field.

Michigan (42-11) will face the winner of the second semifinal contest between No. 2 seed Northwestern and No. 3 seed Minnesota later today for the title. The championship game is slated for an approximate 2 p.m. start. It is the Wolverines' first trip to the championship game since 2016. U-M is going for its 10th tournament title in program history and first since 2015.

The top half of the order set the tone for the Wolverines, who scored runs in each of the first five innings to build their lead. Senior second baseman Faith Canfield matched a career best with four hits, while senior center fielder Natalie Peters, freshman left fielder Lexie Blair, senior first baseman Alex Sobczak and junior third baseman Madison Uden combined for seven hits and six runs batted in.

U-M struck quickly with two runs off three hits in the first inning. Canfield singled to lead off the game -- she posted three singles and a double in the contest -- and scored from first base when Peters drilled a double to the warning track in center. After advancing on a groundout, Peters scored when Sobczak pulled a single into left field.

The Wolverines posted five extra-base hits on the day. Senior designated player Mackenzie Nemitz keyed a two-run second inning with a leadoff double, while Uden crushed a no-doubt leadoff home run deep over the right-field fence in the third to pad U-M's lead to five runs. It was Uden's seventh long ball of the season.

Wisconsin scored three runs between the fifth and sixth frames, including a bases-loaded, two-run double in the latter, but the Wolverines matched that with three of their own. Blair pushed across two with a two-run double to the left-center gap in the fifth -- her second and third RBI on the day -- while Canfield and sophomore shortstop Natalia Rodriguez combined to plate one on a crazy play to end the fifth. Canfield singled to center, and the throw home took a wild bounce over the catcher's head to the backstop, allowing Rodriguez to score -- with a stutter step and a dive -- for the game's final tally.

Sophomore LHP Meghan Beaubien (27-4) was solid in the circle, striking out eight Badgers while allowing one run on five hits and a walk through 7.0 innings. She did not throw a complete game, however, reentering with no outs and bases loaded in the fifth and getting out of the frame with minimal damage.