OKLAHOMA CITY – Michigan sophomore Megan Betsa tossed a four-hit shutout and Lauren Sweet hit a grand slam as the third-ranked Wolverines (57-6) blanked sixth-seeded Alabama, 5-0 in game three of the 2015 Women’s College World Series, Thursday evening at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.

Box Score | Michigan Press Quotes | Alabama Press Quotes

A first inning solo home run by Kelly Christner was all the run support Betsa (31-4) would need. She struck out six, walked one and only allowed one base runner reach second base all game.

Sweet’s fourth-inning grand slambroke up a tightly contested pitcher’s dual between Betsa and Alabama’s freshman Alexis Osorio.

Take away the two long balls and Osorio had strong outing. The rookie righthander allowed just four hits, struck out seven and walk four as she fell to 21-9.

The Crimson Tide (47-16) were limited to five base runners and were led at the plate by Jadyn Spencer, who went 2-for-3.

Christner (1-for-1, 2 runs) put Michigan on the board with a two-out solo home run in the first inning. It was the third straight game of the day that a team homered with two outs in the first and went on to win the contest (LSU & Florida).

After being silenced for the next two innings, Michigan’s bats came alive in the three-hit four-run fourth. Lauren Sweet was the big bopper, just clearing the fence in rightfield for a grand slam and 5-0 Wolverine advantage.

LSU advances to the winner’s bracket tomorrow and will face top-seeded Florida 7:00 p.m. ET. Auburn moves down to the loser’s bracket and will return to action Saturday, May 30 at 12:00 p.m. ET against No. 8 Tennessee.

-- Image courtesy of Richard T. Clifton