Rodriguez Keys Seventh-Inning Outburst for Michigan in Win Over Indiana

Friday, March 26

Bloomington, Ind.

4:00 PM

Michigan

10-3, 0

Indiana

7-6, 0

Michigan

Indiana

Natalia Rodriguez (Michigan Photography)

Rodriguez Keys Seventh-Inning Outburst for Michigan in Win Over Indiana

3/26/2021 6:57:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan scored six runs in the top of the seventh to take a 7-1 win over Indiana in the opener of a four-game series.
» Natalia Rodriguez's two-run double snapped a 1-1 tie and started a string of four extra-base hits that blew open what had been a close game.
» Meghan Beaubien struck out nine Indiana batters and improved to 4-1 with the win.
» Lou Allan capped the seventh-inning rally with her first home run of the season, a two-run shot.

Site: Bloomington, Ind. (Andy Mohr Field)
Score: #25 Michigan 7, Indiana 1
Records: U-M (10-3, 10-3 B1G), IU (7-6, 7-6 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, March 27 -- DH at Indiana (Bloomington, Ind.), Noon

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Senior Natalia Rodriguez's two-run triple snapped a 1-1 tie and opened the flood gates as the No. 25-ranked University of Michigan softball team scored six times in the seventh inning for a 7-1 win over Indiana on Friday (March 26) at Andy Mohr Field.

With runners on second and third after a leadoff walk, an infield hit and a sacrifice bunt, Rodriguez found the gap in right-center for the go-ahead runs. Her triple kicked off a string of four straight extra-base hits for U-M, as junior Lexie Blair followed with a double to left-center to score Rodriguez, sophomore Julia Jimenez smoked an RBI double to center, and senior Lou Allan lofted a 3-2 pitch deep over the wall in left for a two-run homer that capped the outburst.

Senior left-handed pitcher Meghan Beaubien (4-1) was not her sharpest but got the job done with an assist from her defense. She had nine strikeouts -- with three in both the first inning and the fourth -- while allowing seven hits and two walks and hitting two batters. Junior right-hander Alex Storako came on in the seventh to get the final out with the bases loaded in a non-save situation.

Michigan put its first two runners on base to lead off the game, as Blair extended her career-best hitting streak to 14 games with an infield hit and Jimenez singled up the middle. However, Indiana pitcher Emily Goodin got out of trouble with back-to-back strikeouts and a groundout to third.

Indiana struck first with three straight hits off Beaubien to start its half of the opening frame. Gabby Jenkins led off with a double to the fence in left and came home on Grayson Radcliffe's bouncer over Beaubien's head into center field. Hannah Davis followed with a high hopper over the first baseman's head for a double, putting runners on second and third, but Beaubien escaped further damage with three consecutive strikeouts.

Michigan evened the score with an unearned run in the third inning, as Rodriguez led off with a line-drive single to center, stole second base, advanced to third on Blair's groundout to second, and scored on passed ball.

A defensive gem by senior third baseman Taylor Bump kept the Hoosiers off the board in the third. Jenkins stood at third base after reaching on a nubber in front of plate when no one covered first, and she then stole both second and third. The Hoosiers tried to squeeze her home, but Bump made a lunging grab of the popped-up bunt and threw to Rodriguez to double off Jenkins.

Blair, Jimenez, Rodriguez and junior catcher Hannah Carson had two hits apiece to lead the Wolverines, who had half of their 10 hits in the final inning. Carson also threw out a pair of would-be Indiana base stealers, including cutting down the potential go-ahead run at third base with the Hoosiers threatening in the sixth inning.

The Wolverines and Hoosiers will continue their series Saturday (March 27) with a noon doubleheader at Andy Mohr Field. Both games will be streamed live on Big Ten Network Plus.