[su_spacer size=”20″] The 14th-seeded Georgia softball team dropped a 10-3 decision to the third-seeded Michigan Wolverines in the first game of the NCAA Ann Arbor Super Regional in Ann Arbor, Mich. With the win, Georgia falls to 44-16 on the year, while Michigan improves to 55-6.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Chelsea Wilkinson (28-10) suffered the loss. She threw just a third of an inning, allowing four runs on two hits and four walks. Brittany Gray threw the remainder of the game, allowing six runs, one earned, on six hits and two walks. Megan Betsa (30-4) got the win in the complete-game performance. She allowed three runs on five hits and struck out 10.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Michigan struck first, taking a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first. After a walk to Sierra Romero, Kelly Christner hit a two-run home run to center. Michigan took advantage of a pair of bases loaded situations by scoring two runs on a walk and a hit batter that gave it a 4-0 lead. Gray, who came on in relief of Wilkinson, induced a groundout to third to end the inning.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Niaja Griffin came out swinging in the top of the third inning, taking the first pitch she saw off the wall in right center for a double. Cortni Emanuel reached on a Michigan error when the first baseman couldn’t hold onto the throw from third. With runners at the corners, Sydni Emanuel lifted a 1-0 pitch to left that scored Griffin easily and cut the lead to 4-1.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Wolverines added four runs in the bottom of the third inning to extend its lead to 4-1. An error plated the first Michigan run before a RBI single by Romero scored Abby Ramirez for the second run of the inning. A two-run single by Christner brought the score to 8-1.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Bulldogs kept fighting, scoring two runs in the top of the fourth. Tina Iosefa was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning before Anna Swafford belted a towering home run, her 13th of the season, to center that cut the lead to 8-3.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Michigan answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth to extend its lead to 10-3. The runs were scored on a RBI double and a fielder’s choice.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Bulldogs got two on in the top of the fifth, but couldn’t get them home as the next three batters were retired in order.
[su_spacer size=”40″] For the second-straight inning, Georgia got runners aboard after back-to-back singles by Maeve McGuire and Griffin. C. Emanuel loaded the bases when she took one to the shortstop, but the ball was bobbled, causing everyone to be safe. The inning ended when the home plate umpire ruled the batter stepped on the plate during the at bat.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Betsa retired the side in the top of the seventh to seal Michigan’s 10-3 win.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia looks to bounce back when the teams continue the best of three series today at 6 p.m., on ESPNU. The ‘if necessary’ game will follow at 9 p.m., on ESPN.