The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1544538
MAY 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 15 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS FIVE YEARS AGO, 2021: Michi- gan softball senior lefty Meghan Beau- bien got the Big Ten champion Wolver- ines off to a proper start in an NCAA Regional at Washington's Husky Soft- ball Stadium on May 21, 2021, tossing a no-hitter to shut out Seattle, 2-0. Beaubien struck out a dozen Seattle hitters on the way to her seventh ca- reer no-hitter. Meanwhile, she got all the runs she needed off a fourth-in- ning wild pitch and a sixth-inning solo homer by Taylor Bump. The contest ad- vanced the No. 20-ranked Wolverines to take on the host school, the University of Washington. Seattle managed just three base run- ners over the course of seven innings. Beaubien hit one batter with a pitch, walked another and saw a third reach on a fielding error, all in separate in- nings. She outdueled Seattle's Carley Nance, the WAC Tournament MVP, who limited the Wolverines to 6 hits. Michigan's Lexie Blair accounted for 2 of those hits, including her single in the fourth, allowing her to eventually score the game-winning run. Michigan moved to 37-6 with the vic- tory. "The most important thing is getting the win," Beaubien said afterward. "The no-hitter is a fun little accolade, but I think the best thing for me is that it gives you a little more confidence. It shows you what's working and gives you confidence." 10 YEARS AGO, 2016: Michigan softball rallied for 4 seventh-inning runs to propel the Wolverines past Mis- souri, 5-4, in the championship of an NCAA Super Regional in Ann Arbor on May 29, 2016. The win sent the host team to the Women's College World Se- ries. The Wolverines entered the final in- ning in deep trouble against Missouri, the No. 2-ranked Michigan crew trail- ing 4-1. But the home team shook the stadium with a furious rally in the top of the seventh. Lindsay Montemarano got things rolling by reaching on a dropped pop-up that Missouri's second baseman lost in the sun. Consecutive singles then loaded the bases, and Sierra Romero de- livered one run on a sacrifice fly. Kelly Christner then singled home another run, and Kelsey Susalla doubled home the tying run. Christner raced home on a wild pitch, giving the Wolverines the lead. But the job wasn't finished because — despite being at home — Michigan wasn't the home team in this battle. Megan Betsa, who pitched most of the game but gave way to game-winner Sara Driesenga, re- turned to record the final three outs and post the save for the Wolverines. "Team 39 fought really hard," head coach Carol Hutchins said. "They've had high expectations all year and they've had to work through the bur- den of it. I'm looking forward to getting to Oklahoma City — we can just enjoy playing." 25 YEARS AGO, 2001: Michigan softball advanced to the Women's Col- lege World Series with a decisive 12-5 win over South Florida in an NCAA Region 4 championship game at the Alabama Softball Complex on May 20, 2001. Kelsey Kollen proved the big hitter for the Wolverines, scoring 3 runs via her 3-for-4 effort at the plate. Melinda Moulden tied her career high with 4 RBI, while Marie Barda came in to 1-hit South Florida over the final four in- nings, allowing the Wolverines to cruise safely to the regional championship. The game began as a slugfest, Michi- gan holding a 7-5 lead after two innings. But the Michigan pitching shut the door thereafter, and U-M's 3 runs in the third inning proved more than enough to put this one away. "I am so proud of these kids and how they have stayed focused and come to- gether at the right time," Hutchins said. "Today was just another indication of how we find ways to win. We are a team that relies on pitching and defense, but we are capable of hitting the ball well, and we did that today. It was a total team effort as usual." — John Borton THIS MONTH IN MICHIGAN ATHLETICS HISTORY DID YOU KNOW? • Your address will be automatically changed to the mailing address on file with USPS? ALL addresses are cross-referenced with the USPS National Change of Address database. • It can take up to 7 days for the USPS to update your address in their database? To prevent missed issues, please notify them right away. • Your postal forwarding order expires in 60 days or less? Most forwarding requests expire in 60 days and DO NOT always include periodical mail. Issues are discarded at their discretion. • You should call your local post office to verify your delivery address? Don't assume the post office knows your vacation or moving schedule. Avoid Costly Delays & Replacements! Wolverine Customer Service: 1–800–421–7751 We are happy to assist, but due to privacy laws — postal address changes must be completed by you.