Young, Kollen Key Wolverines in Eighth Straight Win

Saturday, April 7

Ann Arbor, Mich.

2:00 PM

Michigan

20-11-1, 0

Indiana

12-24, 0

Indiana

Michigan

4/7/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan softball team remained alone in first place as the only undefeated Big Ten team in conference play with a 2-0 win over Indiana Saturday afternoon (April 7) at Alumni Field. Sophomore hurler Marissa Young (Santa Ana, Calif./Mater Dei HS) won a pitchers duel as she struck out a season-high 11 batters and walked none for the four-hit shutout victory.

The Michigan offense was led by Kelsey Kollen (Cerritos, Calif./Santa Ana Mater Dei HS), who collected three hits, including the game-winning, two-out, bases-loaded single down the leftfield line in the bottom of the sixth that drove in the only two runs of the game.

The Wolverines (20-11-1, 5-0 Big Ten) looked like they were going to get things rolling offensively in the first after Kollen connected for a leadoff double and Taylor executed a bunt single to put runners on the corners with nobody down. An attempted double steal by Michigan failed, however, as Kollen was thrown out at the plate. Following an Indiana error and groundout by Monica Schock (Rialto, Calif./Eisenhower HS), Michigan had runners on second and third with two outs. First baseman Melinda Moulden (LaCrescenta, Calif./Crescenta Valley HS) stepped in and hit the ball hard but right at the Hoosier shortstop for a groundout to end the inning.

Young continued to keep Indiana in check, striking out the side in the second, while the Michigan offense made a bid to break up the scoreless tie in its half of the fourth. The Wolverines placed runners on first and second with none out after a leadoff single from Schock and a bunt single off the bat of Moulden. Rebecca Tune (Aloha, Ore./Jesuit HS) hit into a fielder's choice and Young flew out to center, leaving runners on the corners with two outs. Tune stole second to put a pair of runners in scoring position, but catcher Kim Bugel (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest HS) went down swinging to end the threat.

Although the Wolverines could not push across a run, Young was in the midst of setting down 11 straight from the third inning through the sixth, including striking out the side for the second time, in the top of the sixth.

Michigan finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth, but it took a key two-out single from Kollen after the Wolverines had loaded the bases with none out. Moulden was hit by a pitch and moved around the bases on a single from Tune and an Indiana error on a ground ball by Young. Freshman outfielder Courtney Betley (Corona, Calif./Santa Ana Mater Dei HS) pinch hit for Bugel and responded by hitting a line shot to rightfield that was caught, but the Wolverines' runners were unable to advance. Senior outfielder Chrissy Garza (Southgate, Mich./Anderson HS) then pinch hit for Meghan Doe (Tucson, Ariz./Sabino HS), but her soft line drive was corralled by the shortstop for the second out. Kollen made sure the Wolverines got the two-out hit they needed this time with a shot down the leftfield line that scored Moulden and pinch runner Lisa Mack (Saline, Mich./Saline HS).

Young stayed strong throughout and struck out the side for the third time in the seventh to earn her 11th victory of the season. Young and the rest of the Wolverines will try and complete the weekend sweep of Indiana with a single game tomorrow (Sunday, April 8) at 1 p.m. at Alumni Field.

Diamond Gems

Melinda Moulden has now registered an RBI in each of the last four games and nine of the last 13 overall.

Kelsey Kollen extended her hitting streak to nine games, matching the Michigan season-best mark that is shared by herself and Melissa Taylor, who also extended her current streak to eight games.

Michigan has now won 15 straight over Indiana and 17 straight at home vs. the Hoosiers.

Marissa Young's shutout win is her fourth this season and 13th of her career.

Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423