Wolverines Sacrifice Lead in 11-Inning Marathon Loss at UCF in NCAA Regional

Saturday, May 21

Orlando, Fla.

11:00 AM

Michigan

37-17

UCF

48-12

Michigan

UCF

Meghan Beaubien (Michigan Photography)

Wolverines Sacrifice Lead in 11-Inning Marathon Loss at UCF in NCAA Regional

5/21/2022 4:36:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan fell 3-2 in 11 innings to No. 18-ranked and host UCF in the NCAA Regional winners' bracket game.
» UCF used a one-out RBI single to plate the winning run in the 11th; the Knights used RBI doubles to score a run apiece in the sixth and seventh innings to force extras.
» LHP Meghan Beaubien struck out seven while allowing two runs on six hits and three walks through 7.1 innings.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The No. 24-ranked University of Michigan softball team sacrificed a late lead in what turned into an 11-inning marathon, falling 3-2 to host No. 18-ranked UCF in the NCAA Regional winners' bracket game on Saturday afternoon (May 21) at the UCF Softball Complex.

The Knights ended the game after four hours and 15 minutes, using an RBI single down the right-field line to plate the winning run from second base -- after a walk and an error at second base put the runner in scoring position. UCF threatened with two base runners in each of the last three frames.

Michigan was one strike away from victory in the seventh when UCF knocked a two-out RBI double to the right-center field fence with the tying run on third base.

The Wolverines struck early in the contest, taking advantage of two walks when freshman right-handed pitcher/designated player Annabelle Widra drove a high-chop RBI single over the third baseman's head to break through with two outs in the second. Michigan added another on a fifth-inning fielding error; senior first baseman/outfielder Lexie Blair sent a bouncing grounder off the UCF second baseman to allow freshman shortstop Ella McVey to round third and score from second base.

Widra posted a pair of hits to lead U-M at the plate.

UCF got on the board with a two-out double in the sixth before adding the two-out tying run in the seventh to force extras.

Graduate student left-handed pitcher Meghan Beaubien (8-6) was terrific despite defeat, striking out seven while allowing two runs on six hits and three hits through 7.2 total innings pitched.

Michigan will await its opponent in today's second elimination game, facing the winner of South Dakota State and Villanova at approximately 6:30 p.m. at the UCF Softball Complex.