Softball beats Maryland 5-1, Betsa throws one-hitter
Just two days removed from a 5-1 win over MSU where Megan Betsa amassed 17 Ks, she had a very similar performance today.
#18 Michigan traveled East to take on Maryland for the first game in a 3 game series this weekend.
Michigan got on the board early in the 1st inning on a bases loaded HBP on Abby Ramirez, to bring in a runner to make it 1-0 Michigan.
Maryland would tie the game in the bottom of the 1st on two out solo shot on the first pitch of the at bat. It would be the only hit of the night Betsa allowed.
Just a half a frame later, Michigan re-took the lead on a Faith Canfield RBI single that scored Katie Alexander from 2nd to make it 2-1 Michigan.
The score would stay that way for awhile, as Michigan failed to get anything going for most of the game offensively in terms of moving base runners.
4 innings later, Michigan finally came through. After yet another horrendous B1G official on the road refused to call a HBP (the third time tonight) on Amanda Vargas who nearly got drilled in the head, she stuck it to the ump and pounded a 2-run shot over the LF fence to give Michigan a commanding 4-1 lead and put the game out of reach.
The Wolverines tacked another run on in the 7th inning on a fielding error that scored Kelly Christner from 3rd on what should've been a routine ground out for Maryland at 1B.
Megan Betsa would again make another B1G opponent look foolish. Just 1 hit allowed today, 14 Ks just two days removed from a 17 K performance against MSU. That's 31 Ks in the last 48 hours.
Michigan beats Maryland, 5-1.
Michigan is now 30-8-1 and 10-1 in the B1G.
These same two teams will face off again tomorrow at 1pm.
Officials have been refusing Michigan HBPs a lot this season. I think Tera Blanco has at least 4 HBPs where she's been told to stay at the plate. Have we picked up some Florida habits or are the umps just suckish?
April 14th, 2017 at 10:37 PM ^
What's the reasoning? Crowding the plate, or leaning into it?
April 14th, 2017 at 10:50 PM ^
Neither. Garbage umps.
The way things are going, Betsa is basically the Smoltz-Avery-Glavine-Leibrandt gauntlet by herself - I can't see a lot of teams complaining about that, but of course, a fair number of teams are obviousy lamenting it. As always, fun to watch Michigan softball continue to overwhelm opponents.
Yep. It's gotten to the point that I'm a little upset when she gets like a groundout to 3rd or something. I just to see her strike more people out.
Just looked at the rankings- DI as of April 11th
Minnesota at #6 record of 35-3 and play 3 ranked teams all season
Michigan at #18 record of 28-8-1 and play 10 ranked teams all season
Bats not working on Saturday, UM falls to terps 2-1. Bad loss.
I was at the game today - very frustrating to watch. Just couldn't get anything going until the 7th, when we finally strung together a few hits. Big base-running blunder after Montemarano's single cost us huge - should've either gone sooner & scored or just held up & gotten bases loaded, 1 out. Blanco struggled in the circle as well. Only gave up 2 runs, but Maryland was hitting her hard - lots of balls that fell just short of the wall. This one might haunt us - no reason we should've lost to this miserable team, and Minnesota is showing no signs of slowing down. No more margin for error now.
On the plus side, I sat right in front of Montemarano's mother during the game, and got to chat with her. Very cool woman, had some nice comments about the team. She's a big Sierra Lawrence fan - rightly noted that Lawrence never got the attention she perhaps deserved, due to being overshadowed by another Sierra.