ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In a thrilling showdown at Alumni Field, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights faced a heart-wrenching defeat in Game 2 against the Michigan Wolverines, falling 11-3. Despite the loss, the game showcased a pivotal moment for freshman sensation Riley Hwang, who hit her **first career home run**, igniting hope for her team.
Game Highlights
A Rocky Start for the Scarlet Knights
The Wolverines wasted no time establishing dominance, with **Indiana Langford** leading off the game with a single, quickly followed by **Jenissa Conway’s** two-run homer. Michigan surged into a commanding 2-0 lead within the first inning, leaving Rutgers scrambling for response.
Hwang’s Historic Moment
Fast forward to the fourth inning, and the Scarlet Knights began to mount a comeback. In a display of pure determination, Riley Hwang launched a spectacular home run down the left field line, just skimming inside the foul pole, making the score 2-1. This thrilling moment marked a milestone in Hwang’s burgeoning career and injected **new energy into the Knights**.
The Wolverines Respond
Michigan was not deterred. They extended their lead in the fifth inning through back-to-back singles from **Erin Hoehn** and Langford, culminating in Conway’s second home run of the day, driving the score to 5-1. The momentum was heavily leaning in favor of the Wolverines.
A Narrow Escape for Rutgers
However, the Scarlet Knights were determined not to go down easily. In the critical sixth inning, a walk by **Kelsey Hoesktra** set the stage for Hwang, who again delivered under pressure with an RBI double to center. She later scored on a base hit from **Bailey Briggs**, narrowing the deficit to **5-3**. With the game hanging in the balance, **LA Matthews** almost tied it up with a deep fly into right field, only to be thwarted by a spectacular catch at the wall by Michigan’s **Ella Stephenson**.
The Final Blow
But the afternoon wasn’t over yet. The Wolverines answered back in a commanding fashion, scoring six runs in the bottom of the sixth. Sparked by **Maddie Erikson’s** double, Michigan capitalized on a series of hits and errors to extend their lead. **Lilly Vallimont** sealed the game with a walk-off two-run home run, closing the chapter on a nail-biting encounter.
Looking Ahead
The Rutgers and Michigan series wraps up tomorrow, with the final clash set for 4:30 PM, airing on the **Big Ten Network**. Fans won’t want to miss the action as the Scarlet Knights look to bounce back and capture a much-needed victory.
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– RU –
