No. 5 Michigan Splits Tourney Twinbill vs. Virginia Tech

Saturday, February 20

Gainesville, Fla.

11:00 AM

Michigan

0-3

Virginia Tech

2-3

Virginia Tech

Michigan

No. 5 Michigan Splits Tourney Twinbill vs. Virginia Tech

2/20/1999 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Amy Carlton

Site: Gainesville, Fla. (Florida Stadium)
Event: Louisville Slugger Classic
Results: Virginia Tech 6, #5 Michigan 2; #5 Michigan 5, Virginia Tech 0
Records: U-M (1-3), VTU (3-3)
Next U-M Game: Sunday, Feb. 21 -- at Florida in Louisville Slugger Classic (Gainesville, Fla.), 1 p.m.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The University of Michigan softball team finally shook the effects of winter sluggishness, splitting a doubleheader vs. Virginia Tech in second-day action at the Louisville Slugger Classic on Saturday (Feb. 20). The Wolverines lost the opener 6-2, then roared back with a 5-0 shutout in the second game.

No. 5-ranked Michigan, 1-3 on the young season, closes tournament play Sunday by facing host No. 20 Florida in a 1 p.m. single game.

After being outscored 20-5 and outhit 34-15 over the season's first three games, the Wolverine offense of old took hold in the fourth game, scattering nine hits and scoring a season-high five runs against the Hokies. The U-M defense stepped-up as well, putting together the team's first errorless game of the year.

Pam Kosanke (Chesterfield, Mo./Parkway Central HS) and Melissa Taylor (Deerfield, Mich./Summerfield HS) collected two hits and a RBI apiece. Michigan put its speed to use on the basepaths, stealing a season-high four bases. Freshman hurler Kate Eiland (Fresno, Calif./Clovis West HS) struck out six and allowed five hits in posting her first career win and shutout. Ashlee Dobbe (1-2) took the loss for Virginia Tech.

Michigan scored quickly in the first game, pushing across single runs in both the first and second innings to take a 2-0 lead. The Hokies came back with a pair of runs in the top of the third to tie the game, then took the lead for good in the fifth when Sarah Hudson scored on a one-out Clarisa Crowell RBI single. VTU added a second run in the fifth and two in the seventh while holding the Wolverines to one hit over their last three innings.

Crowell (1-2) went the distance for Virginia Tech, allowing four hits and striking out three in the win. Junior Jamie Gillies (Saugus, Calif./Saugus HS) (0-1) took the loss in her first season start, giving up seven hits and four runs before being relieved in the fifth by Marie Barda (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale South HS).

Maize 'n Blue Diamond Gems

• Sophomore Chrissy Garza (Southgate, Mich./Anderson HS) earned her first career starting assignment in the day's first game, playing in the hitting lineup at designated player. . . . With a pinch runner stint in the second game, U-M freshman Kristen Hunter (Sterling Heights, Mich./Sterling Heights HS) made her first career appearance as a Wolverine.

• Freshman second baseman Kelsey Kollen (Cerritos, Calif./Mater Dei HS) is the top Wolverine hitter through the season's first four games, carrying a .400 average (6-of-15). . . . Michigan is perfect in stolen bases, swiping 11 in 11 attempts. Tammy Mika (Brighton, Mich./Brighton HS) leads U-M with three stolen bases.

• The last time Michigan posted a three-game losing streak was in mid-March 1997 at the South Florida Speedline Invitational. . . . Saturday's doubleheader was the first softball meeting between Michigan and Virginia Tech.