Wolverines Open NCAA Regional Play with Gritty Win over SDSU – University of Michigan Athletics

» 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 discipline line within 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 via 6.2 innings; LHP Meghan Beaubien used a game-ending punchout to safe the save.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Senior Lexie Blair used a two-run single to interrupt a scoreless tie within the fifth inning and headline the No. 24-ranked College of Michigan softball crew’s 2-1 win over South Dakota State within the NCAA Regional opener on Friday afternoon (Could 20) on the UCF Softball Advanced.

The underside of the lineup set the desk within the fifth, as Michigan used a leadoff hit-by-pitch, a bunt single off the sac try and one other single to middle to load the primarily based with no outs. Two batters later, Blair roped a first-pitch single down the left discipline line to plate freshman shortstop Ella McVey and graduate scholar outfielder Kristina Burkhardt for the primary runs of the competition.

Blair, who grew up enjoying in close by Winter Backyard, Florida, paced the Wolverine offense with two hits — the opposite a first-inning double — and the 2 RBI. Burkhardt additionally posted a pair of base hits.

The Jackrabbits pulled inside one with a one-out solo homer within the sixth and put two runners on to threaten within the seventh on a two-out throwing error after a dropped third strike and a subsequent stroll. Graduate scholar LHP Meghan Beaubien entered with one on and allowed the stroll to push the runner into scoring place, however got here again with a five-pitch punchout to safe the ultimate out of the sport and acquire her third save of the season.

Senior RHP Alex Storako (24-8) earned a gritty victory from the circle, placing out simply three however permitting just one run on three hits and three walks via 6.2 innings. She was aided by a powerful defensive effort, together with seven putouts within 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 within the NCAA Regional winners’ bracket and can No. 18-ranked and regional host UCF on Saturday (Could 21) at 11 a.m. on the UCF Softball Advanced. The Knights defeated Villanova, 6-0, of their first regional recreation. The sport might be broadcast reside on ESPN2.