Michigan softball headed to Women's College World Series

Carol Hutchins didn't even watch.

The final Georgia swing of Friday's NCAA softball Super Regional at Alumni Field popped to Michigan's All-American second baseman Sierra Romero and Hutchins knew what would happen.

The ball settled in Romero's glove and the celebration ensued – Michigan was headed to its 11th Women's College World Series appearance with the two-game sweep, capped by the 7-6 Game 2 win – and Hutchins was trying to keep her composure.

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On the field there were hugs and a centerfield team celebration and a player dance circle outside the dugout but once there was a moment to compose herself, Hutchins was glad to pass the mic.

"I know how hard it is to get there," U-M's legendary coach said, now that another four-year class, every one since 1995, has earned a trip to Oklahoma City. "I've been here 31 years and 11 appearances is pretty good but I've seen a lot of teams not make it. To finish this part of our season and advance, I know what it takes. And this team had what it takes."

Click here for video of U-M celebration

After a season of dominance, Michigan proved the World Series path needed a little resilience.

The game started ugly for the Wolverines, digging a 3-0 hole in the first inning, forcing Hutchins to pull Big Ten pitcher of the year Megan Betsa from the game after only 2/3 of an inning.

While Haylie Wagner relieved and was strong closing out the first and four the next five innings, things unraveled in the seventh when she allowed a two-run homer and the potential tying base-runner to reach.

In danger of blowing the lead and forcing a Game 3 elimination game later Friday night, Hutchins returned to Betsa as the closer for the final batter, inducing the game-ending pop-up.

Following Thursday's 10-3 win that saw Georgia fail to capitalize innings of bases loaded and another with runners at second and third, Hutchins was "glad" her team was tested twice.

"I couldn't be prouder," she said. "During the season, when we had so many run rules and blowouts, you're concerned when it gets to this time of the year, how are we going to play when the games get tight? I'm very pleased with what we did with that.

"We stayed in our moment and were really one-pitch focused."

Though it was the 25th straight win for the Wolverines, tying the second-highest win total in program history at 56-6, it showed how U-M's reliance on team with six players scoring runs, five with an RBI and Wagner coming in early for very long relief.

Though Kelsey Susalla was the hitting hero, going 3-for-4 with a single, double and home run, plus another sacrifice fly, Wagner gave a critical punch, hitting for herself and belting a home run, which gave U-M its first lead at 4-3.

When Romero caught the final out, Wagner knew her senior year would end in Oklahoma City.

"There was a lot of emotions that went through me," she said. "I'm just so proud of this team. We fought together and we played together."

Starting Thursday, they get to do it again, with the big prize on the line.

U-M will face the winner of Alabama-Oklahoma.

Contact Mark Snyder at msnyder@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @mark__snyder.