Softball sweeps Rutgers; now 14-0 all-time vs RU
With rainy weather expected tomorrow in Piscataway, tomorrow's game was moved to today and there was a doubleheader played.
#23 Michigan has never lost to Rutgers. The series began in 2015 when Rutgers joined the conference and the most runs they've ever scored against Michigan is 3.
In game 1 Michigan took a 2-0 lead right off the bat in the top of the 1st when Lexie Blair reached on an error which allowed Faith Canfield to score. Blair was scored on an RBI single by Alex Sobczak who has had a great week. 2-0 Michigan.
A bases loaded RBI single by Faith Canfield in the 4th inning pushed the Michigan lead to 3-0. In the 7th, Lexie Blair added another RBI as she brought home Faith Canfield with an RBI single. Alex Sobczak then made it 6-0 with a 2-run homer. Rutgers then walked in a run to make it 7-0.
Michigan won game 1 by that score of 7-0.
The teams turned around and played game 2 shortly after. Rutgers still seeking their first win against Michigan ever. It did not happen.
This game looked like it was gonna be a track meet in the 1st inning. Alex Sobczak put Michigan up 1-0 on an RBI single with two on. Mackenzie Nemitz then tallied an RBI with a fielder's choice that scored Natalie Peters. A two-run single by Madison Uden made it 4-0 after 1.
Another RBI by Nemitz who singled and brought home Peters made it 5-0 Michigan in the 2nd inning but Rutgers prevented this one from being an easy run rule win as they showed signs of life.
In the 3rd inning the Scarlet Knights drew closer with a 3-run homer to cut Michigan's lead to 5-3. Alex Sobczak then answered with a 2-run shot to extend Michigan's lead to 7-3 in the 4th. But the Wolverines couldn't get 3 more runs.
In the 6th inning, Rutgers added a run with an RBI triple to make it 7-4. This caused Hutch to pull freshman pitcher Alex Storako (8 K, 6 hits, 4 earned runs) for game 1's pitcher Meghan Beaubien. Beaubien did not allow any more runs.
Beaubien had 5 strikeouts in 7 innings of work today in the doubleheader.
Michigan won game 2, 7-4.
The Wolverines sweep the Scarlet Knights and stay perfect against them, improving the all-time series record to 14-0. 4 runs is the most runs Rutgers has ever plated against Michigan and it still came in a 3-run defeat.
Michigan is now 23-10 and 6-0 in the B1G. Next up is Toledo at Alumni Field on Wednesday.
March 30th, 2019 at 10:02 PM ^
I've been to a lot of softball fields around the country, and by far, Rutgers is the worst of them all. Go out to your local high school field and that is at least as nice as the complex in Piscataway. Lumps and holes all over the outfield, short porch, the press box is a tailgate tent straight behind home plate, and the "stands" are your typical aluminum bleachers with about 5 rows that you see at any little league park.
There is vehicle parking behind the outfield fence where people literally sit in their truck beds and watch the game, which is nice because if it gets dark, they can turn their headlights on so you can finish the game. Naturally, they have no lights. I was in complete disbelief the first time I saw it - I thought it was a practice field at first and looked around for the actual one. And this is the home field of a team in a P5 conference.
March 30th, 2019 at 10:09 PM ^
Why again do we have Rutger in our conference?
March 30th, 2019 at 10:20 PM ^
It's sad for their players. That's such an embarrassment. Been saying it for years.
Your local city park has better or very similar facilities most likely.
March 30th, 2019 at 10:07 PM ^
It's good that our freshman pitcher got a start in a conference game to get her some experience. But it sure is nice to have our "ace-in-the-hole" Beaubein to bail us out when the game tightened up.
March 30th, 2019 at 10:13 PM ^
Thanks for posting, WD. Always appreciate your details of the games.
March 30th, 2019 at 11:32 PM ^
I've been posting Softball recaps in addition to all other sports for many years.
Mike, this is an embarrassing question - it shows your ignorance as well as a critical spirit.
As somebody who has been on the site for a few months, maybe slow your roll on critiquing other Michigan sports related posts. WD’s been posting this kind of stuff (softball, soccer, field hockey, etc.) for years.
Not sure what you thought you were accomplishing with this post.
March 30th, 2019 at 11:10 PM ^
The team seems to finally be putting it together. Let’s hope they continue to grow and keep winning
March 30th, 2019 at 11:32 PM ^
Against RU?
Are they so bad that they've lost the "tger" now?
March 30th, 2019 at 11:43 PM ^
NTTAWWT...
Always appreciate the updates. Would be great if softball and baseball could both make the tournament this season.
Rutgers is a much improved team - and M isn't as strong as they were 2 years ago. RU had a FR SS 2 years ago who is now playing 1st and hitting well from the left side. 3B is still a bit brutal defensively but overall they are a competitive team that just doesn't have the talent or strength up and down the line up to compete against tournament level teams like M. Their #1 pitcher is good and they have 2-3 good hitters in the lineup but that's obvs. not enough.
This M team is leaning on a few SRs that they maybe didn't expect to have to lean on in the lineup. I think they expected the JR class (who got a lot of p/t the last couple years) to make a leap offensively but they just haven't been productive thus far.
Lou Allen's knee is still a significant issue it seems - brace worn all day, looked a bit rough fielding ground balls in warm ups (but that could have been a one-off that day). Has to be tough working thru that kind of injury.
Well, they couldn't stay terrible forever. Especially since they fired their coach and brought in a new one last year. But yes, they have some young pieces that could serve them well over the next few years. Will they be able to build around that? Who knows? I can't imagine Rutgers is a hot destination for elite softball recruits so we'll have to see.
And yes, Michigan is not as strong as they were a few years ago but come on. The post Sierra era (both Romero and Lawrence) was always going to take some rebuilding. Last year's freshmen class made immediate impact and this year's freshmen class as well as the incoming class are both excellent. I'd say Michigan softball should be just fine going forward.
I'll say this: this rutgers team will take 2/3 from PSU if they play em.
PSU is gaawdawful
I think they are 0-14 against Florida so it all evens out.
s/
Thanks, WD. I have a high school classmate whose daughter plays for Rutgers so I appreciate the update.
I also appreciate your well-written and researched contributions to the board, particularly the write-ups for non-revenue sports that don't get the attention they deserve.