College Softball News

Michigan Softball Rolls with Wins over Lipscomb and No. 3 Alabama

Michigan Softball

Courtesy of Michigan Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The No. 5-ranked University of Michigan softball team received solid performances in the circle from senior Haylie Wagner and sophomore Megan Betsa, and junior Kelsey Susalla had a pair of multi-hit games with four combined runs batted in in a doubleheader sweep of Lipscomb (7-1) and No. 3 Alabama (8-2) on day one of the Easton Bama Bash on Friday afternoon (Feb. 20) at Rhoads Stadium. The Wolverines extended their win streak to 10 straight games.

The Wolverines struck first in the second, as senior Lauren Sweet belted a two-run home run to left. The Crimson Tide came right back with two runs in the second, but the Maize and Blue took the lead for good in the fourth. Sophomore Lindsay Montemarano singled to right to open the frame. She went to second on sophomore Abby Ramirez‘ single to the pitcher. Junior Sierra Lawrence loaded the bases with a walk and junior Sierra Romero brought in the game-winning run with a sacrifice fly to center. Lawrence stayed in a rundown between first and second long enough for Ramirez to score, making it 4-2 Michigan.

In the fifth, Susalla brought in Sweet with a double to center. She then scored on Montemarano’s two-bagger down the left field line. The Wolverines added insurance in the seventh on Susalla’s two-run home run to center field.

Betsa was solid in the circle, striking out six while allowing six hits and two runs in a complete-game performance. Susalla drove in three and joined Sweet and Montemarano with a pair of hits apiece.

The Wolverines shook off a sluggish start against Lipscomb in their tournament opener, plating runs in the third, fourth and fifth frames to surge past the Bison.

The teams traded unearned runs in the second and third, with the Wolverines evening the score with an unearned run of its own. Lawrence singled to centerfield to reach base, stole second and advanced on a flyout before scoring off a fielding error on the throwback to the pitching circle.

Susalla and Montemarano belted out a pair of solo home runs — just two batters apart — in the fourth inning. It was Susalla’s second long ball of the season.

Michigan added several insurance runs in the fifth, plating four off three hits and two. With Romero on second after a leadoff walk and stolen base, Sweet doubled down the rightfield line to send her home. Sweet scored herself two batters later on an infield single from freshman designated player Amanda Vargas. A fielder’s choice advanced the runners, and Lawrence drove in a pair, looping a two-out single into shallow rigthfield.

Wagner faced the minimum over the final three innings. Bison rightfielder Gracey Aguirre recorded a leadoff single in the sixth, but a fielder’s choice got her out at second and the Wolverines ended the inning with 4-6-3 double play — their first of the season.

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