No. 2 Michigan Defeats Softball in Series Opener

Friday, May 6

Ann Arbor, Mich.

6:00 PM

Rutgers

24-30, 8-13

Michigan

42-4, 19-2

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Rutgers	0	0	0	0	1	1	3	1
Michigan	4	5	0	0	X	9	6	0

No. 2 Michigan Defeats Softball in Series Opener

May 06 | Softball

Box Score

May 6, 2016

Final Stats

ANN ARBOR, MICH. (May 6, 2016) - A late fifth-inning surge for Rutgers softball was not enough for the Scarlet Knights No. 2 Michigan scored early and often to earn a 9-1 victory on Friday night at Alumni Field. The Wolverines marked the seventh ranked opponent for RU this season and third in conference action.

RU dropped to an overall record of 24-30 and a Big Ten mark of 8-13, while Michigan improved to 42-4 overall and 19-2 in league play.

Junior Aubrie Levine (Yorba Linda, Calif.) (1-6) suffered the loss for RU, while Michigan's Megan Betsa earned the victory to improve to 21-3 overall.

Freshman Nicolette Anico (Liberty County, Fla.) led the Scarlet Knights with two hits, while junior Bridget Carr (Pequannock, N.J.) also added a hit in the loss.

UM was led by Sierra Romero with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate, including a home run, two runs and two RBIs. Lindsey Montemarano posted a game-high three RBIs in the win.

In the first inning, seniors Jordan Whitley (Clayton, Del.) and Melanie Slowinski (Severn, Md.) each drew a walk to put two runners on. However, the Scarlet Knights were unable to capitalize, stranding both on base.

Michigan countered by plating four runs on two hits and an RU error in the bottom half of the frame. After a walk for Sierra Lawrence and single for Romero put two runners on, a RU miscue allowed Lawrence to score. A sacrifice fly for Tera Blanco sent Romero home. Whitney Jones (Santa Monica, Calif.) then entered the circle for the Scarlet Knights with the bases loaded and one out on the board. Although the freshman righty posted two consecutive outs to end the frame, the Wolverines snuck in a run to set their lead at 4-0.

Despite a hit for Nicolette Anico (Liberty County, Fla.) in the top of the second, RU still struggled to bring in a run.

The Wolverines then grew their lead with five runs on four hits in the bottom of the second. After Lawrence led off with a walk, Romero knocked a homer to left field to send in two runs. Kelsey Susalla added another UM run with a double. With two outs on the board, Montemarano then added two more runs on a double of her own to set the Michigan advantage at 9-0.

Jones worked a 1-2-3 inning the bottom half of the third, sending the top of the Wolverine lineup down in order. With help from the outfield, the freshman righty then retired three more consecutive batters at the plate in the fourth.

A leadoff hit for Anico in the top of the fifth would ignite a rally, as Carr followed with a hit of her own. Senior Stephanie Huang (Paramus, N.J.) then drew a walk to load the bases for RU. Anico would go on to cross home on the Wolverines' attempt at a double play. However, the RU surge fell short as the contest ended in five frames.

UP NEXT
Rutgers and Michigan continue the three-game set on Saturday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. ET live on Big Ten Network.

KNIGHT NOTES

Rutgers faces its highest ranked opponent of the season in No. 2 Michigan. The Scarlet Knights faced then-No. 5 Alabama at the start of the year.

RU has crossed paths with seven ranked opponents for a total of 13 games.
Nicolette Anico added her eighth multiple hit of the game with two hits in the contest, one shy of her career-high total.

Jones retired six consecutive batters across the final two frames of the game.

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