Softball Shuts Out PSU in Big Ten Lid-lifter

Submitted by South Bend Wolverine on

Megan Betsa continued her stellar play in Michigan softball's Big Ten opener at Alumni Field today, weed-whacking her way through the Nittany Lions line-up to the tune of 14 Ks, while allowing only 3 hits and 1 walk, all of which came in separate innings.  An error in the 2nd allowed Penn State to briefly threaten, but Betsa came back with a K to slam the door.

The offensive struggles, unfortunately, continued in the early going, as the Wolverines were unable to put anything together in the first 4 innings.  Courtney Richardson broke the deadlock in the 5th with her 2nd home run of the year.  After a Natalie Peters hit and a wild-pitch, a bad-hop-single off the bat of Faith Canfield put the Maize & Blue up 2-0.  The Wolverines added one more the 6th, and that was more than enough for the senior ace to cruise home in the 7th.

Michigan takes their first game of league play 3-0.  They'll face Penn State twice more this weekend, on Saturday at 2 PM and on Sunday at 1 PM.  You may want to keep an eye on the Minnesota/Nebraska series as well, which will start in just a few minutes.

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Megan Betsa

Wolverine Devotee

March 24th, 2017 at 6:30 PM ^

14Ks by Betsa.

She's a machine right now. And Blanco is getting hers as well. I'm very comfortable with Blanco pitching.

The offense just has to going, but if you think about it, this is how it is when you don't have a legend on the roster. 

We've been so spoiled by how we've come out and just stuck a knife in the throat of opponents these last 4 years. Th

Just gotta find that go-to home run threat. 

Joined: 06/29/2009

MGoPoints: 31528

trueblueintexas

March 24th, 2017 at 6:35 PM ^

There is not that go-to home run threat on this team. Christner had the one year with 21, but that is looking more like a product of a great lineup around her and having an amazing year. They are going to have to do it like many teams do, scratching out runs by putting pressure on the other team and hopefully find a couple bats who can get consistent big hits.

Joined: 11/10/2008

MGoPoints: 36632

Alton

March 25th, 2017 at 9:46 AM ^

Indiana swept Rutgers yesterday, 9-2 and 23-2.

I don't think there were really any unexpected results yesterday--Minnesota is the class of the conference, Wisconsin & Michigan are next and the 3rd tier are Ohio State & Illinois.  All five of them won their openers.

Minnesota at Illinois next weekend will be the first matchup between any top teams in conference.

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: 13273