Indiana Drops Heartbreaker to No. 15 Michigan in Extras, 2-0

Sunday, April 29

Bloomington, Ind.

1:00 PM ET

Indiana University

24-27, 0

Michigan

40-8, 0

Michigan

Indiana

Indiana Drops Heartbreaker to No. 15 Michigan in Extras, 2-0

4/29/2018 5:14:00 PM | Softball

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – For the second time in as many games, Indiana Softball and No. 15 Michigan needed extra innings to decide the outcome with Sunday's game resulting in a nine-inning 2-0 win for the Wolverines on Senior Day at Andy Mohr Field.

The winning runs for Michigan came off the bat of Madison Uden, who sent a two-run double to left center with two outs in the ninth.

The game determined who would be in first place in the conference standings leading into the final week of the regular season as the Hoosiers move to 16-4 in Big Ten play and Michigan improved to 15-2. Minnesota now separates the two teams as the Gophers are second in the conference at 15-3.

"Tough one today," said head coach Shonda Stanton. "The margin of winning and losing is so small sometimes but the feeling is so great. We competed hard all weekend long and fought. What I'm most proud of us is our senior class and our entire Team 45 and how we've elevated Indiana Softball in the Big Ten, particularly when you look at how we started the season. What this group has been able to do in a two-month span is tremendous. I tip my cap to them, I'm so proud. Awesome weekend for the fans to be able to come out and see competitive softball played at a high level."

Michigan put runners on right away to start the game, collecting a single and walk in the opening inning before a pair of strikeouts from Tara Trainer stranded both.

Trainer toss all 9.0 innings for the Hoosiers, striking out five and surrendering six hits.

The first chance for the Hoosier offense came in the third on back-to-back two-out singles by freshman Taylor Lambert and senior Rebecca Blitz. However, a fielder's choice left them aboard.

The next major threat for either team came in the sixth as the Wolverines loaded the bases with two outs on a pair of walks and a Hoosier throwing error before Lambert perfectly read a fly ball in foul territory to get the final out.

Indiana took its turn loading the bases in the home half of the sixth after walks by Lambert and sophomore Gabbi Jenkins and a bloop single to left by sophomore Katie Lacefield. The Hoosiers couldn't capitalize as a pair of strikeouts from Meghan Beaubien ended the rally.

After the Wolverines went down in order to start the eighth, Jenkins collected a two-out single in the bottom of the inning before she was caught trying to steal second.

Michigan ended the stalemate in the ninth, sparked by a leadoff double from Natalia Rodriguez. After a flyout moved her to third, Rodriguez was thrown out at home as she tried to score on a fielder's choice from Natalie Peters. However, an intentional walk to Tera Blanco set it up for Uden, who plated both runners.

In the pinch hit in the home half of the ninth, freshman Makayla Ferrari provided a one-out single to center before a pair of strikeouts ended the game.

The Hoosiers will close out the regular season next weekend as they hit the road for a three-game set with Rutgers. IU remains in contention for both a Big Ten regular season title and a bye for the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, which will be played the following week in Madison, Wis.