It’s like breaking the surface tension on a drop of water. As soon as the Michigan softball team gets a runner on base, the hits start flowing from the bats and never stop.
The Wolverines were contained within the batter’s box through the first inning and two thirds. Then, sophomore third baseman Lindsay Monteramano garnered a walk with two outs in the bottom of the second frame.
Her hit helped to open the floodgates just enough for Michigan to hit their way to a 9-1 win over California in the regional semifinal on Saturday.
“It was a team effort, it took all of us to beat them,” said Michigan coach Carol Hutchins. “It was a tight game early. We just had to stay on course, stay on task and I thought we did a great job of not getting caught up in the fact that we were behind. We just played ball. that’s what we do, and we do what we do best. I’m pleased, I’m very proud of my team.”
Sophomore right-hander Megan Betsa only gave up one, monster hit before the fourth inning. California third baseman Danielle Henderson connected with a hard thrown pitch, sending it up and out of alumni field to give the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead over Michigan in the second frame.
Following Monteramono’s second-inning walk, back-to-back singles from freshman designated player Aidan Falk and freshman first baseman Tera Blanco batted in the first run of the day for the Wolverines, and the score stood even at one.
Junior second baseman Sierra Romero changed that again when she belted a solo-shot into the seats of the centerfield grandstand in the third inning that gave Michigan a 2-1 lead for the first time of the game.
Her 21st home run of the year now ties Romero with the program career home run record and gives her sole ownership of the record for career RBI at Michigan as well. Even though breaking records isn’t her top priority at the plate.
“(I’m) just doing whatever I have to do to get on base. That’s my goal, to get on base, because the hitters around me are going to score me.
The hits were starting to trickle down, but the Wolverines didn’t manage to really open up their lead until the fourth frame. It was Monteramano who got it started again.
Monteramano doubled to start the inning and make way for three ensuing home runs from Falk, junior centerfielder Sierra Lawrence and sophomore left fielder Kelly Christner, respectively. The five-run fifth inning energized the Michigan fans more and more with each big swing.
“You see good pitching every day shutdown good hitting teams,” Hutchins said. “We made a few adjustments during the game because we weren’t scoring a lot of runs early. I was pleased that my team made some adjustments, and it worked for us.”
After giving up the early home run, Betsa’s only other trouble came in the top of the fourth inning just before the Wolverine’s offensive explosion. Intentionally walking Henderson put two runners on the bag for California before Betsa issued another walk to juice the bases with two outs.
Hutchins walked to the circle for a brief conference, and then Betsa got the final out via pop-fly and settled right down, allowing just one more hit through the rest of the game. Through six innings pitched Betsa allowed just three hits, one run and four walks while striking out ten.
“My defense had my back, they made some awesome plays,” Betsa said. “I had this talk with (Michigan assistant coach Jennifer Brundage) that we’re in the post season and I’m not going to strike out as many people. I need to be okay with that and just have the confidence in the defense.”
With Romero and junior right fielder Kelsey Susalla on base in the bottom of the sixth inning, Senior Catcher Lauren sweet doubled to centerfield. The two runners made it home before the throw to expand the score to its final 9-1 margin, cue the mercy rule and send the Wolverines to the regional final game on Saturday.
“(My team) was celebrating in the locker room as they should,” Hutchins said. “But now we’re done celebrating, because this tournament is not over. We stay on task; stay on the course, until we get what we want.”