Michigan Softball: Wolverines one win away from Super Regionals
Michigan softball got another outstanding pitching effort and defeated Washington in the Wolverines second game of the Seattle regional.
One reason Michigan softball fans felt optimistic going into the NCAA Tournament was the fact that U-M had a dominating pitching staff.
And so far, through two games, that confidence has been justified as the Wolverines won another pitcher’s duel Saturday, defeating Washington, the top seed in the region, 2-1.
Alex Storako was on the mound Saturday for Michigan softball and she entered the game ranked sixth nationally in ERA (0.88). She is also the nation’s leader in strikeouts per game and she met her average of 13 against the Huskies, who are seeded 16th out of 64 teams.
Michigan softball came into the tournament unseeded overall and seeded second in the Seattle Region. But after Storako allowed just one run on three hits to Washington, the Wolverines won their second game and now just need one more win to advance to the Super Regionals (Final 16).
🗣 Every pitch, every inning, every game. @alxsto_ #NCAASoftball #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/gZKrLOhxlB
— Michigan Softball (@umichsoftball) May 23, 2021
Allowing just three hits and one run in two games is certainly going to help the chances of winning, but the offense has found a way to score just enough to win.
Heading into the sixth, the score was tied 0-0, when two Michigan hitters delivered in the clutch. Lou Allen and Taylor Bump hit back-to-back home runs, suddenly giving U-M the lead.
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Washington managed to score a run, but the two homers were more than enough for Storako to wrap up the complete-game victory. In two games Michigan softball has used just two pitchers.
Michigan has now won 17 of 18 games and after head coach Carol Hutchins called out the NCAA committee for not making the Wolverines a regional host, her team has responded.
The Wolverines (38-6) now just need one more win to advance.
It’s a double-elimination tournament, so whichever team makes it back from the loser’s bracket will need to beat U-M twice. Washington will need to beat the winner of Portland State/Seattle on Saturday night to advance.
Michigan will await the other remaining team Sunday at 8 PM EST. If Michigan loses, it will get another chance right after to wrap up the regional title.