Michigan
27-14, 7-7
Ohio State
28-10, 8-5
Wolverines Sacrifice Lead in Loss to Ohio State in Series Opener
4/22/2022 6:53:00 PM | Softball
» No. 23 Michigan took the lead in the fourth but gave up a four-run fifth inning in a 6-2 loss to Ohio State in the weekend series opener.
» Taylor Bump tallied a solo homer, while Ellie Sieler and Audrey LeClair posted two hits apiece.
» RHP Alex Storako allowed five runs -- just two earned -- on six hits, two walks and a HBP while striking eight Buckeyes.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 23-ranked University of Michigan softball team rallied to take the lead in the fourth inning but was doomed by a four-run fifth in a 6-2 loss to Ohio State in the series opener on Friday afternoon (April 22) in front of 1,617 fans at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field.
After giving up the first lead on a leadoff homer in the first inning, Michigan scored twice in the fourth to take the first. Fifth-year senior third baseman Taylor Bump deposited a solo shot beyond the leftfield bullpen for the game-tying run -- and her third long ball of the season -- before U-M added another on an OSU error with two outs. Senior Lexie Blair, who reached on a pinch-hit single, created a commotion on the base path with a break to second and when the Buckeye second baseman dropped the throw, junior outfielder Audrey LeClair came home to score easily.
The Wolverine lead was short-lived, however, when the Buckeyes responded with four runs in the fifth inning, scoring on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch and three RBI singles. Ohio State added another on an RBI single in the sixth.
Senior RHP Alex Storako (18-7) allowed five runs -- two earned -- on six hits, two walks and the hit-by-pitch while striking out eight Buckeye batters through 4.2 innings.
Michigan (27-13, 7-7 Big Ten) will face the Buckeyes at 2 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, April 23) at Alumni Field.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Handley, Lexie (16-6)
L: Storako, Alex (18-7)
Batting:
2B: Wilkison, Melina 1 ; Hackenbracht, Sam 1
HR: Wilkison, Melina 1
RBI: Wilkison, Melina 1 ; Cortelletti, Tegan 1 ; Carver, Niki 1 ; Bump, McKenzie 1 ; Kortokrax, Kami 1 ; Coffman, Kaitlyn 1
SF: Kortokrax, Kami 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Wilkison, Melina 3 ; Eppele, Kirsten 1 ; Carver, Niki 1 ; Farley, Kaitlyn 1
SB: Wilkison, Melina 1
HBP: Carver, Niki 1
Batting:
2B: LeClair, Audrey 1
HR: Bump, Taylor 1
RBI: Bump, Taylor 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bump, Taylor 1 ; LeClair, Audrey 1
SB: LeClair, Audrey 1
