BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- University of Michigan head softball coach Carol Hutchins captured her 1,458th career win to become the all-time winningest coach in NCAA softball history as the Wolverines claimed an 8-0, five-inning decision against Indiana on Saturday afternoon (April 2) at the Hoosiers' Andy Mohr Field.

Hutchins, who tied former Fresno State coach Margie Wright with last night's (Friday, April 1) win against the Hoosiers, improved to 1458-474-4 over her 33 years as a collegiate head coach. She has spent the last 32 seasons at the helm of the Wolverine program and ranks as the winningest coach in Michigan Athletics history.

The Wolverines struck early and often in the five-inning decision, opening just as they did last night with a two-run homer off the bat of senior second baseman Sierra Romero in the first inning. Senior centerfielder Sierra Lawrence drew of a leadoff walk, and Romero followed with a blast deep over the centerfield wall for her 10th long ball of the season.

After a scoreless second inning, Michigan tacked on runs in each of the subsequent three frames to push its advantage into run-rule range.

Freshman catcher Alex Sobczak drove an RBI double to the wall in left centerfield with two outs in the third before Michigan blew the game open with a four-run fourth. The Wolverines loaded the bases with no outs, taking advantage of back-to-back walks, which chased IU starter Josie Wood from the circle, before senior rightfielder Kelsey Susalla and sophomore first baseman Tera Blanco sent looping singles opposite directions into the shallow outfield. Sophomore designated player Amanda Vargas added another in the fourth on a sac fly to rightfield.

The Wolverines again loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth inning; Susalla drove in one more on an RBI walk to close out the game's scoring. Susalla posted three RBI on the day.

Junior RHP Megan Betsa (12-2) was solid from the circle, registering nine strikeouts and allowing just four hits and one walk en route to her fourth complete-game shutout of the season.

The Wolverines will close out the Indiana series tomorrow (Sunday, April 3), taking on the Hoosiers at 1 p.m. at Andy Mohr Field.




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