» Michigan earned a 3-1 win against Southern Utah, but dropped its rematch with No. 22 Arizona State 8-0 in six innings, on day two of the Sun Devil Classic.
» Lauren Putz knocked out a sixth-inning homer against SUU for her 10th long ball of the season.
» Gabby Ellis threw a complete-game win against Southern Utah, allowing one run on just two hits and two walks.
TEMPE, Ariz. — The University of Michigan softball team split its day-two games at the Sun Devil Classic on Saturday (Feb. 21), earning a 3-1 decision against Southern Utah before falling 8-0 in six innings to No. 22-ranked host Arizona State at Farrington Stadium.
The Wolverines, after putting up big offensive numbers a day ago, totaled just three runs on six hits Saturday. The loss to ASU was U-M’s first by shutout this season.
Michigan broke a scoreless tie with Southern Utah in the fifth inning of the day’s first contest. Freshman Siena Snyderwho reached base in three of five plate appearances on the day, led off the inning with a double to left. Senior Indiana Langford entered to pinch run, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a wild pitch that bounced in front of the SUU catcher — sliding under the tag in a close play at the plate.
Sophomore right fielder Lauren Putz added some needed insurance in the sixth with a two-run homer deep to left field for her 10th long ball of the season.
Junior right-handed pitcher Gabby Ellis (5-0) earned her first complete-game victory of the season, allowing one run on two hits and a pair of walks with three strikeouts, including a game-ending punchout to strand two on base. Southern Utah spoiled her shutout bid on a fielder’s choice in the seventh inning.
Arizona State largely used home runs to build its lead in bursts in the second slate, scoring three in the first frame, another in the fourth and four in the sixth to end the game an inning early. The Sun Devils’ first five runs came off three homers. ASU then loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth and ended the game with a two-run single to center field.
Sophomore RHP Kat Meyers (3-1) took the loss — her first of the season — after giving up five runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts through five innings.
Michigan was not without opportunities to score, putting its leadoff on base in five of six innings and leaving eight runners stranded, including one on third in both the second and third frames. U-M drew walks, with Snyder and Putz earning two apiece.
The Wolverines (11-3) will close out play at the Sun Devil Classic on Sunday (Feb. 22), again taking on Southern Utah at 10 a.m. MT at Farrington Stadium.