(Photo Courtesy of Michigan Athletics)
LAFAYETTE, La. — The No. 6-ranked University of Michigan softball team plated six runs in the final two innings against Boston College today (Sunday, Feb. 16) to erase a four-run deficit and go on to win 6-5 in the final day of the Ragin’ Cajun Invitational held at Lamson Park.
Michigan’s rally began in the top of the sixth with two outs. Senior Caitlin Blanchard (Petersburg, Mich./Summerfield) ripped a bases-loaded single into rightfield to score two runs, cutting the Eagles’ lead in half, 4-2.
The Wolverines loaded the bases to start the seventh with consecutive singles from junior Haylie Wagner (Orange, Calif./El Modeno) and senior Taylor Hasselbach (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston), followed by junior Lauren Sweet (Corona, Calif./Santiago) reaching on a BC error. The Maize and Blue was down to its final out by the time senior Nicole Sappingfield (Norco, Calif./Norco) took a walk to force in a run, making the game 4-3.
The bases were still loaded for the next batter, sophomore Sierra Romero (Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta), who promptly cleared them with a single and an Eagles throwing error, and U-M had its first lead of the game, 6-4.
Michigan’s offense was held in check until the sixth inning when senior Lyndsay Doyle (Channahon, Ill./Minooka Community) collected the squad’s first hit of the game. Romero finished with two hits and two runs batted in, and Sappingfield scored two runs.
U-M used three pitchers in the circle, with the win going to Wagner in relief. She pitched one inning and gave up one hit. Junior Sara Driesenga (Hudsonville, Mich./Hudsonville) started the game and threw four innings before taken out, but she also came back to pitch the seventh inning and preserve the U-M victory.
