Michigan
Wisconsin
Wolverines Cruise to Series-Clinching Win at Wisconsin
5/7/2022 5:01:00 PM | Softball
» No. 23 Michigan posted 14 hits and scored early and late to earn a 6-1 win and clinch the weekend series against Wisconsin.
» Hannah Carson and Ellie Sieler posted three hits apiece and combined for three RBI, while Audrey LeClair tallied two doubles.
» RHP Alex Storako struck out 11 and allowed one run on just two hits and no walks.
MADISON, Wis. -- The No. 23-ranked University of Michigan softball team took the lead early and added several insurance runs late to cruise to a 6-1 decision over Wisconsin on Saturday afternoon (May 7) at the Badgers' Goodman Diamond.
Senior catcher Hannah Carson and freshman outfielder Ellie Sieler paced the Wolverine offense, which combined for 14 hits, with three base knocks apiece. It was the second straight three-hit effort for Carson since missing a pair of games with injury, while Sieler also posted a pair of RBI -- career highs in both categories for the U-M rookie.
Senior RHP Alex Storako (22-7) fanned 11 Badgers -- her 13th game this season with double-digit strikeouts -- and allowed just two hits and no walks in the complete-game performance.
Michigan used back-to-back doubles from junior outfielder Audrey LeClair and senior first baseman Lexie Blair to strike quickly in the first inning before padding its lead with a pair of runs in the fourth. Sieler reached on a hit-by-pitch, advanced on a single and scored when Wisconsin misplayed another U-M single in centerfield.
Wisconsin used a solo homer to score its lone run in the sixth inning, but Michigan responded and then some in the top of the seventh. LeClair led off with her second double of the contest and scored on a Carson RBI single. Three batters later, Sieler drilled a double to the left center wall to drive in the game's final two runs.
U-M (33-15, 13-8 Big Ten) will close out the regular season with its noon CT series finale at Wisconsin tomorrow (Sunday, May 8) at Goodman Diamond. The game will be streamed on B1G+.
