Softball Drops Finale to No. 4 Michigan

Sunday, April 12

Piscataway, N.J.

11:30 AM

Rutgers University

20-12, 7-5

Michigan

37-6, 10-2

Michigan

Rutgers

Apr 12 | Softball

Box Score

April 12, 2015

Final Stats

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (April 12, 2015) -- The Rutgers softball team fell to No. 4 Michigan, 5-0, in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at the RU Softball Complex. It marked the first series loss for RU since opening Big Ten play.

Rutgers dropped to an overall record of 20-12 and a Big Ten mark of 7-5, while Michigan improved to 37-6 overall and 10-2 in the league.

Senior Chandler Howard (North Wilmington, Del.) and junior Jordan Whitley (Clayton, Del.) added a hit in the loss. In the circle, senior Alyssa Landrith (Vacaville, Calif.) registered five scoreless innings and seven strikeouts.

Despite giving up a hit and walking a batter, Landrith struck out the following two Wolverines at the plate to strand both runners on in the opening frame.

In the top of the second, Michigan jumped ahead, 3-0, via a three-run homer from Abby Ramirez. Landrith recorded another strikeout to close the inning with no further damage.

Whitley led off the bottom half of the inning, knocking a double to right center. However, the Scarlet Knights stranded her on base.

While the RU offense worked to get its momentum rolling, Landrith kept the game in reach, registering three consecutive scoreless frames.

The Wolverines added two runs on four hits in the top of the sixth to extend their lead to 5-0. Landrith stranded two runners on, striking out the final batter to escape the inning.

In RU's final at bat, junior Melanie Slowinski (Severn, Md.) drew a walk to put a runner on. Up next, sophomore Carly Todd (Deptford, N.J.) knocked the ball to the right field fence, but Michigan's Kelsey Susalla snatched it right before it could fall over the fence.

Up next, Rutgers readies for two midweek contests. The Scarlet Knights first make a stop at in-state rival Seton Hall on Tuesday, April 14, before hosting a doubleheader against Villanova the following day.

KNIGHT NOTES
- Rutgers dropped its first series since opening conference play. The Scarlet Knights had previously won three straight against Indiana, Purdue and Michigan State.
- RU was swept in a series for the first time since Notre Dame took three in the 2013 season.
- Alyssa Landrith registered her 11^th complete game of the season in a total of 19 appearances. She has tossed 73 complete contests since arriving "On the Banks."
- Stephanie Huang's reached base streak was halted at 24 games with today's contest.

Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics ) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers softball, follow the program on Twitter (@RUSoftball) and Instagram (@RU_Softball). The team is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersSB ).