Wolverines Open NCAA Regional Play with Gritty Win over SDSU

Friday, May 20

Orlando, Fla.

11:00 AM

Michigan

37-16

South Dakota State

40-12

South Dakota State

Michigan

Alex Storako (Michigan Photography)

Wolverines Open NCAA Regional Play with Gritty Win over SDSU

5/20/2022 2:30:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Watch: Highlights vs. South Dakota State

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan opened NCAA Regional play with a 2-1 win over South Dakota State.
» Lexie Blair delivered a bases-loaded, two-run single down the left field line in the fifth; Blair and Kristina Bukrhardt posted two hits apiece.
» RHP Alex Storako allowed one run on three hits and three walks with three strikeouts through 6.2 innings; LHP Meghan Beaubien used a game-ending punchout to secure the save.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Senior Lexie Blair used a two-run single to break a scoreless tie in the fifth inning and headline the No. 24-ranked University of Michigan softball team's 2-1 win over South Dakota State in the NCAA Regional opener on Friday afternoon (May 20) at the UCF Softball Complex.

The bottom of the lineup set the table in the fifth, as Michigan used a leadoff hit-by-pitch, a bunt single off the sac attempt and another single to center to load the based with no outs. Two batters later, Blair roped a first-pitch single down the left field line to plate freshman shortstop Ella McVey and graduate student outfielder Kristina Burkhardt for the first runs of the contest.

Blair, who grew up playing in nearby Winter Garden, Florida, paced the Wolverine offense with two hits -- the other a first-inning double -- and the two RBI. Burkhardt also posted a pair of base hits.

The Jackrabbits pulled within one with a one-out solo homer in the sixth and put two runners on to threaten in the seventh on a two-out throwing error after a dropped third strike and a subsequent walk. Graduate student LHP Meghan Beaubien entered with one on and allowed the walk to push the runner into scoring position, but came back with a five-pitch punchout to secure the final out of the game and collect her third save of the season.

Senior RHP Alex Storako (24-8) earned a gritty victory from the circle, striking out just three but allowing only one run on three hits and three walks through 6.2 innings. She was aided by a strong defensive effort, including seven putouts in the outfield -- six from freshman Ellie Sieler in left -- and two assists apiece from McVey and fifth-year senior third baseman Taylor Bump.

The Wolverines advance in the NCAA Regional winners' bracket and will No. 18-ranked and regional host UCF on Saturday (May 21) at 11 a.m. at the UCF Softball Complex. The Knights defeated Villanova, 6-0, in their first regional game. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2.