Wolverines Shut Out Kansas to Capture Invitational Title

Sunday, March 19

Tallahassee, Fla.

Noon

Michigan

17-6-1

Kansas

17-14

Kansas

Michigan

Wolverines Shut Out Kansas to Capture Invitational Title

3/19/2000 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A rain-delayed start did nothing to slow down No. 14-ranked University of Michigan softball team as the Wolverines rolled to a 9-0 five-inning run-rule win over Kansas on Sunday (March 19) to claim the championship of the Tallahassee Democrat Florida State Invitational Sunday in Tallahassee.

Michigan (18-6), unbeaten in its six tournament games, capitalized on three first-inning Kansas errors to score its first three batters, Kelsey Kollen (Cerritos, Calif./Santa Ana Mater Dei HS), Melissa Taylor (Petersburg, Mich./Summerfield HS) and Stefanie Volpe (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth-Salem HS). Rebecca Tune's (Aloha, Ore./Jesuit HS) two-out, two-RBI single completed Michigan's five-run first inning. The Wolverines added two runs in both the second and third innings, then played errorless ball in the field to set up the shutout.

Marissa Young (Santa Ana, Calif./Mater Dei HS) threw a one-hitter to complete her tournament MVP weekend. The freshman (6-1) struck out six Jayhawks and allowed one walk. Young was joined on the all-tournament team by Wolverines Marie Barda (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale South HS), Kollen and Volpe.

The Wolverines complete their pre-Big Ten Conference schedule next weekend (March 25-26) at the Boilermaker Invitational in West Lafayette, Ind.

Maize 'n Blue Diamond Gems

Michigan wins its second Florida State Invitational title in four tries and its first tournament title of the 2000 season. U-M was the 1995 FSU Invitational champion, and finished runner-up in 1996. U-M carries an all-time 19-3 record in Florida State Invitational competition.

The Wolverines scattered 47 hits over 39 innings of tournament play and held their opponents to 24 hits. The 14 hits against Georgia Southern (March 17) are the second-most by U-M this season. Michigan twice held its opposition to one hit (Iowa State, Kansas).

Michigan hit the long ball over the weekend, collecting six doubles and four home runs over the six games. Pam Kosanke (Chesterfield, Mo./Parkway Central HS) and Kelsey Kollen each finished with two doubles while Stefanie Volpe smacked the first two home runs of her career (vs. Iowa State, Princeton). One of the Wolverines' offensive highlights was the grand slam home run by Marissa Young against Florida State in the semifinals.

The Wolverines' matchup with Kansas was the first between the softball programs of the two universities. . . . Michigan extended its win streak to eight games.

Contact: Amy Carlton (734) 763-4423