Softball Falls to #2 Michigan in opening game of NCAA Regionals

Wright State took a 2-0 lead in the third, only to see #2 Michigan score eight in the bottom of the inning, seven coming with two outs, and the Wolverines went on to an 11-2 run-rule decision over the Raiders in the opening round of the NCAA Regionals Saturday in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

After WSU collected two hits in the first, the Raiders used three hits in scoring twice in the third. With one out, Briauna Birl reached on a bunt single and stole second. One out later, Louie Haney singled up the middle to drive in Birl and advanced to second on the throw to the plate. China Frost then followed by slapping a triple along the left field line to plate Haney and make it 2-0.

Michigan, however, took advantage of three walks, two illegal pitches, a hit batter and a wild pitch in scoring eight in its half of the third, seven of those coming after two outs. Dorian Shaw hit a two-run home run to right center to highlight the frame.

The game, which started on Friday, was delayed for 34 minutes in the third due to rain and was later suspended in the bottom of the fourth and resumed on Saturday.

After the resumption, the Raiders posed a threat in the fifth as Haney was hit by a pitch and Frost dropped a single along the left field line with two outs, her third hit of the game in as many at bats. Both, however, were left stranded as a strikeout ended the threat..

Michigan (47-6) then forced the run-rule with three unearned runs in the sixth, capped off by Shaw's second home run of the game, a two-run shot to center.

Wright State (30-29-1) now faces Illinois State, a 1-0 loser to Notre Dame in eight innings in the other opening round game, in the loser's bracket Saturday at 3:30. The winner comes right back to take on the Michigan-Notre Dame loser in the loser's bracket finals at 6:00.

Courtesy: Wright State Sports Information