B1G Champion Michigan Rallies to Defeat Rutgers in Regular-Season Finale

Sunday, May 16

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Noon

Michigan

36-6, 36-6

Rutgers

8-36, 8-36

Rutgers

Michigan

(Michigan Photography)

B1G Champion Michigan Rallies to Defeat Rutgers in Regular-Season Finale

5/16/2021 3:33:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Leah Howard

» No. 18 Michigan rallied from an initial deficit to defeat Rutgers, 2-1, and claim the weekend sweep in the regular-season finale.
» Lou Allan posted all three U-M hits, including a sixth-inning game-winning solo home run.
» Alex Storako earned the win in relief, striking out nine while allowing no hits and three walks over four innings.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wipon Complex)
Scores: #18 Michigan 2, Rutgers 1
Records: U-M (36-6, 36-6 B1G), RU (8-36, 8-36 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, May 16 -- NCAA Selection Show (ESPN2), 9 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Senior first baseman Lou Allan knocked out a sixth-inning solo home run to break a deadlock and push the No. 18-ranked University of Michigan softball team to a 2-1 decision over Rutgers in its regular-season finale on Sunday afternoon (May 16) at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field.

Allan, who tallied all three of the Wolverines' hits on the day, led off the sixth with a deep shot to straightaway center field to give U-M its first lead of the contest. It was Allan's 10th homer of the season, tying senior third baseman Taylor Bump for the team lead. Bump went yard twice over the weekend series to take the advantage in the home run race.

Senior right-handed pitcher Sarah Schaefer earned the Senior Day start -- her first at Alumni Field -- and was effective with two strikeouts and one run and three hits allowed, but it was junior RHP Alex Storako (21-3) who earned the win in relief, fanning nine Scarlet Knights over four hitless innings.

Rutgers (8-36, 8-36 Big Ten) took the initial lead with its own solo home run in the top of the third -- its first run of the series.

Michigan (36-6, 36-6 Big Ten) evened the score in the next inning. Allan singled to lead off and was replaced on base by sophomore pinch runner Audrey LeClair, who stole second then took third after getting caught in a rundown off a subsequent fielder's choice. LeClair tagged up and scored the tying run on sophomore second baseman Julia Jimenez's lined sacrifice fly to center.

Rutgers drew a pair of walks to threaten in the fifth, but after a short circle meeting, Storako earned back-to-back swinging strikeouts -- on just seven pitches -- to get out of the jam. She added two more Ks in the sixth and struck out the side in the seventh to close out the contest.

Michigan, the Big Ten champion and automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament, will receive its NCAA Regional selection tonight during the annual NCAA Selection Show, slated to air at 9 p.m. on ESPN2.