Illinois Spoils Wolverines' Opening Weekend with DH Sweep on Final Day

Sunday, February 28

Leesburg, Fla.

9:00 AM

Michigan

4-1, 0

Illinois

4-1, 0

Illinois

Michigan

Lexie Blair (Michigan Photography)

Illinois Spoils Wolverines' Opening Weekend with DH Sweep on Final Day

2/28/2021 2:33:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Leah Howard

» No. 17 Michigan fell to Illinois, 2-1, 2-1, in a doubleheader sweep on the final day of the season-opening Big Ten "bubble" weekend in Florida.
» U-M twice left the tying run stranded in scoring position in the seventh inning.
» LHP Meghan Beaubien and RHP Alex Storako posted nearly identical lines, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out 10 apiece.

Site: Leesburg, Fla. (Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex)
Scores: Illinois 2, #17 Michigan 1; Illinois 2, #17 Michigan 1
Records: U-M (4-2, 4-2 Big Ten), UI (5-1, 5-1 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Thursday, March 11 -- vs. Nebraska (Leesburg, Fla), 4:30 p.m.

LEESBURG, Fla. -- The No. 17-ranked University of Michigan softball team twice put the tying run in scoring position in the seventh but could not capitalize, falling to Illinois, 2-1, 2-1, on both sides of a doubleheader Sunday morning (Feb. 28) on the final day of the Big Ten Conference's season-opening "bubble" weekend at the Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex.

The Wolverines struggled to produce from the plate, combining for 13 hits and just one RBI on the day. Not without its chances, U-M stranded 16 in the twinbill, leaving the tying run on third base in the seventh inning of the opening slate and on second base in the seventh in the later game.

Michigan's pitching remained stout despite defeat as senior LHP Meghan Beaubien (2-1) and junior RHP Alex Storako (2-1) posted similar lines, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out 10 apiece. Both registered double-digit strikeouts in all three of their weekend starts.

Illinois used leadoff doubles and two-out RBI in the first and third innings to build its lead early in the first game. U-M responded in the home half of the latter, with a roped RBI single from senior designated player Lou Allan that scored junior outfielder Lexie Blair with a headfirst slide at home to just beat the tag. Michigan continued to threaten, loading the bases in the fourth and putting two in scoring position on in the seventh, but couldn't break through as full-count strikeout ended the rally and the game.

It was U-M which struck first in the second game. Blair, who extended her hit streak to five in row, and sophomore third baseman Julia Jimenez led off the game with back-to-back singles before Blair scored on a passed ball to backstop.

Michigan held the lead until the bottom of the fifth when the Illini used another leadoff double to kick off a two-run inning. A subsequent bunt single and stolen base put two runners in scoring position, and a looped single into shallow leftfield plated both to put Illinois out front.

The Wolverines put a runner on base in every inning in the second game and reached second base with one out in both the sixth and seventh following the lead change. Senior first baseman Taylor Bump nearly came through in the former frame but was robbed on the leftfield warning track.

Michigan (4-2, 4-2 Big Ten) will take a weekend off before returning to Leesburg, Florida, for its second Big Ten "bubble" weekend at the Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex. U-M will play three-game series against Nebraska (Thu-Fri., March 11-12) and Wisconsin (Sat-Sun., March 13-14). All games will be streamed live on Big Ten Network+.