Then, with the bases loaded and catcher Sarah Draheim at the plate, freshman shortstop Sierra Romero leaped to snare a line drive and end the inning.

“I just went with the same approach, again, just like I had been doing the entire game and went right at her,” Driesenga said. “No fear. If I didn’t put it all out there, then there would be no risk, and we’d have no success either.”

Still, after five innings, the Wolverines trailed by one.

Finally, Michigan’s offense came through. Romero was hit by a pitch, Blanchard advanced her to third with a single to right field and Lane lined a two-run double to give Michigan its first lead of the day, 2-1. It was all that Driesenga needed. She retired the next six batters in order to send the Wolverines to the program’s 10th Women’s College World Series, and the pitcher who had just three minutes to prepare for Game 3 of a Super Regional was mobbed by her teammates in celebration.

But she had all game to prepare for that.