No. 2 Michigan Wins Ninth Straight Big Ten Title
No. 2 Michigan Wins Ninth Straight Big Ten Title
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 2-ranked University of Michigan softball team clinched its ninth straight Big Ten Conference title with its 11-1, five-inning de
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 2-ranked University of Michigan softball team clinched its ninth straight Big Ten Conference title with its 11-1, five-inning decision against Rutgers on Saturday afternoon (May 7) in front of a sell-out crowd of 2,473 fans at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field. The Wolverines, who also pushed their win streak to 16 in a row, improved to 20-2 in conference play.
Michigan has captured 19 of the last 25 Big Ten regular-season crowns and has claimed at least a share of every title since 2008. No other team has claimed more than two conference titles in a row.
The Wolverines scored in three of four innings in the shortened contest, including six in the bottom of the fourth to push the margin into run-rule territory.
Senior second baseman Sierra Romero and freshman designated player Faith Canfield knocked out two-run bombs in the fourth -- two of U-M's three homers in the game -- while sophomore catcher Aidan Falk dropped in a two-run double -- her second two-bagger of the game and fifth in three games -- into no man's land in shallow left center. It marks Romero's 14th homer of the season and Canfield's third.
Sophomore first baseman Tera Blanco also went yard, providing the Wolverines an early cushion with a two-run blast down the leftfield line -- her ninth this season. Romero, who posted four RBI on the day, also tallied sac fly in the first and drew a bases-loaded walk on four pitches in the second.
Michigan boasted 12 hits -- its 20th game this season with double-digit hits -- with three homers and four doubles. Senior centerfielder Sierra Lawrence, Blanco, Falk and Canfield posted two base knocks apiece.
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Watch Sierra and Sydney Romero's documentary film Bragging Rights: The Romero Sisters
Senior RHP Sara Driesenga (20-0) was stout from the circle, scattering three hits and a walk while striking out six through five innings.
Rutgers, which scored its lone run on a comebacker to the circle in the second inning, singled to lead off the top of the fifth, but Driesenga made quick work of the next three batters on a three-pitch strikeout, popped foul bunt -- highlighted by freshman catcher Katie Alexander's diving grab -- and a flyout.
Information provided courtesy of Michigan Softball
Related:
The Greatest Players in Michigan Softball History
Carol Hutchins Becomes Winningest Coach in NCAA Softball History
Why 2019 Standout Julia Jimenez Picked Michigan
10 Questions with Michigan signee Alex Sobczak
Meet Future Wolverine Morgan Overaitis
Michigan has captured 19 of the last 25 Big Ten regular-season crowns and has claimed at least a share of every title since 2008. No other team has claimed more than two conference titles in a row.
The Wolverines scored in three of four innings in the shortened contest, including six in the bottom of the fourth to push the margin into run-rule territory.
Senior second baseman Sierra Romero and freshman designated player Faith Canfield knocked out two-run bombs in the fourth -- two of U-M's three homers in the game -- while sophomore catcher Aidan Falk dropped in a two-run double -- her second two-bagger of the game and fifth in three games -- into no man's land in shallow left center. It marks Romero's 14th homer of the season and Canfield's third.
Sophomore first baseman Tera Blanco also went yard, providing the Wolverines an early cushion with a two-run blast down the leftfield line -- her ninth this season. Romero, who posted four RBI on the day, also tallied sac fly in the first and drew a bases-loaded walk on four pitches in the second.
Michigan boasted 12 hits -- its 20th game this season with double-digit hits -- with three homers and four doubles. Senior centerfielder Sierra Lawrence, Blanco, Falk and Canfield posted two base knocks apiece.
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Watch Sierra and Sydney Romero's documentary film Bragging Rights: The Romero Sisters
Senior RHP Sara Driesenga (20-0) was stout from the circle, scattering three hits and a walk while striking out six through five innings.
Rutgers, which scored its lone run on a comebacker to the circle in the second inning, singled to lead off the top of the fifth, but Driesenga made quick work of the next three batters on a three-pitch strikeout, popped foul bunt -- highlighted by freshman catcher Katie Alexander's diving grab -- and a flyout.
Information provided courtesy of Michigan Softball
Related:
The Greatest Players in Michigan Softball History
Carol Hutchins Becomes Winningest Coach in NCAA Softball History
Why 2019 Standout Julia Jimenez Picked Michigan
10 Questions with Michigan signee Alex Sobczak
Meet Future Wolverine Morgan Overaitis