Wolverines Return to Action with Run-Rule Win over Western Michigan

Tuesday, March 22

Ann Arbor, Mich.

4:00 PM

Michigan

18-6

Western Michigan

10-16

Western Michigan

Michigan

Lexie Blair (Michigan Photography)

Wolverines Return to Action with Run-Rule Win over Western Michigan

3/22/2022 7:14:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Leah Howard

» No. 19 Michigan scored runs in four innings, including five in the sixth, to earn a 9-1, six-inning decision over Western Michigan.
» LHP Meghan Beaubien fanned 10 Broncos and allowed one unearned on four hits and a walk.
» Lexie Blair posted two hits and two walks to headline the offense, while U-M capitalized on WMU errors with six unearned runs.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- After a weekend removed from competition, the No. 19-ranked University of Michigan softball team returned to action with a 9-1, six-inning decision against in-state foe Western Michigan on Tuesday (March 22) in front of 817 fans at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field. The Wolverines improved to 5-0 at home this season.

Michigan built its lead gradually before plating five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to bring an early end to the content. The Wolverines earned eight hits from seven different players and took advantage of three WMU errors, including one to score the game-winning runs with two outs in the sixth.

Senior outfielder Lexie Blair headlined the offense with two hits and two runs batted in and opened scoring with two outs in the second; after just missing foul down the left-field line, she then pulled a two-run double down the right-field line on the next pitch.

Michigan scored unearned runs with two outs in the third and fourth frames. Sophomore catcher Keke Tholl drilled a bouncer down the first-base line and through the wickets of the WMU first baseman to plate the former, while senior designated player Hannah Carson drove an RBI single up the middle after an error extended the fourth.

Western Michigan took advantage of a U-M error -- and nice baserunning to effectively dodge the tag at the plate -- to score its lone run in the top of the sixth, but the Wolverines responded in droves in the home half. Freshman pinch hitter Annabelle Widra roped an RBI single to the center-field wall to get the run back, then a series of a wild pitch and three passed balls plated two more runs for Michigan.

Michigan loaded then reloaded the bases with two outs when Tholl smacked a hard grounder to the Bronco shortstop, who made the flip to second base where it was dropped. Two Wolverines had already crossed home by the time WMU recovered, and Michigan had its game-ending eight-run margin.

Graduate student LHP Meghan Beaubien (4-4) struck out 10 while allowing one run -- unearned -- on four hits and a walk.

Michigan (18-6) will host Miami (Ohio) at 3 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, March 23) at Alumni Field. Note that the start time has been moved up an hour due to the weather forecast. Tickets are available at MGoBlue.com/tickets.