Moulden's Slam Helps Wolverines Reach Regional Final

Saturday, May 18

Ann Arbor, Mich.

4:30 PM

Michigan

49-9

Washington

46-17

Michigan

Washington

5/18/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 2-seeded University of Michigan softball team withstood a three-run seventh inning by the top-seeded Washington Huskies to win 6-5 on Saturday (May 18) in NCAA Regional 6 action at Alumni Field. With the victory, the Wolverines boast an undefeated 3-0 record in the tournament and earn the first spot in the Sunday's championship round.

Moulden

Michigan built a 6-1 lead thanks to five runs in the fifth inning, including a grand slam by Melinda Moulden (LaCrescenta, Calif./Crescenta Valley HS), and pitcher Marissa Young (Santa Ana, Calif./Mater Dei HS) had seven strikeouts in her 27th win this season. Jaime Clark hit two home runs in the contest for Washington, with a solo shot in the first inning and a three-run homer in the seventh that led the comeback attempt.

Both defenses were solid to start the game, and Clark's first home run was the only score through the first three innings as each team was able to muster only two hits through the third. Michigan was finally able to tie the game in the fourth inning when Stefanie Volpe (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth-Salem HS) walked to lead off Michigan's at-bat. Volpe moved over to third on a fielder's choice and a sacrifice bunt before being brought home on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Jessica Merchant (Wayland, Mich./Wayland HS). After four innings of play the score was tied 1-1.

Michigan's offense came to life in the fifth inning and started off with three consecutive singles by Courtney Betley (Corona, Calif./Santa Ana Mater Dei HS), Kelsey Kollen (Cerritos, Calif./Santa Ana Mater Dei HS) and Meghan Doe (Tuscon, Ariz./Sabino HS). Volpe earned her second walk of the day to force home Betley and give the Wolverines their first lead of the game. After a strikeout and a force at home plate, Moulden hit a grand slam that put U-M ahead 6-1.

Washington made a comeback effort with four runs in the sixth and seventh innings to shrink Michigan's lead. After a strikeout to lead off the sixth inning, a pair of doubles by Amanda Oleson and Kathy Fiske closed the gap to 6-2. Young struck out the side to close out the inning and preserve U-M's lead.

After Michigan's three batters were retired in order to open the seventh inning, Washington's Steph Nicholson and Becky Simpson both singled to set up Clark's second home run of the game and bring the Huskies within one run with one out. After a fly ball to leftfield, Young struck out the final Washington batter to end the rally bid and give Michigan the 6-5 victory.

Washington (46-17) will play Ohio State at 7 p.m. for the second slot into the championship opposite Michigan (49-9). The Washington-Ohio State winner will meet Michigan at 1 p.m. Sunday (May 19) and will have to beat the Wolverines twice to earn the Women's College World Series berth. The second contest, if necessary, is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

N O T E S

Melinda Moulden's grand slam is her second of the season, with the other coming in the second game of a doubleheader at Central Michigan on April 10. Moulden is just the third Wolverine to hit two grand slams in one season, joining Marissa Young (2000) and Stefanie Volpe (2002).

Q U O T E S

Michigan Head Coach Carol Hutchins
On the game ... "We're just glad the clock ran out. Washington is just a great team and we knew that but I really believe that this season our competition has made us into the tough team that we are. In facing that team they have made us better. We're tough. Our kids believed in themselves even after they jumped on us in that first inning. Jaime Clark probably has the sweetest swing I've ever seen. Our kids didn't let it get us down. We made some things happen. Melinda Moulden came through with a big hit and we obviously needed those runs. I'm really proud of my team. Whatever happens here this is a great softball team and they played their guts out for Michigan and that's all I can ask."

On the regional turning into somewhat of a slugfest ... "I think that's the college game if you pay attention across the country. The leading teams in the country are hitting 60-plus home runs a season. If you look at Ohio State I think they have close to 60 and we have more than we've ever had. I compare the home run to the three-point shot in basketball. It's something that we're all utilizing. The bats are better, the hitters are better."

On being in the championship game with no losses ... "It's where you want to be in this tournament. You definitely want to be in the championship game and be the team that has to get beaten twice. If you don't think we'll feel pressure tomorrow, I'll tell you that I expect nerves to be flying from both teams. We're just going to tell our kids to take it one pitch at a time and expect it to be difficult. We've proved that over and over. Every game is exciting. I think my kids have nerves of steel and they do a great job. We're definitely to be in that boat. Alumni Field having lights is probably one of the highlights of my career, but I'm happy as heck not to be playing under them."

Michigan Junior Outfielder Melinda Moulden
On her grand slam ... "I was looking for a hittable pitch. We just wanted to be aggressive and Washington is a good team and they have good pitchers and we just tried to jump on the good pitches and get hits."

On the pitcher's lengthy windup ... "I don't think it was so hard to figure out was she was going to throw as much as it was difficult remaining patient. (Assistant coach) Jen Brundage gave us the tip to keep the bat on your shoulder when you get up to the plate and wait until she gets through the beginning part of her motion and then raise up and get the rhythm to go and I think that helped a lot."

Michigan Junior Pitcher Marissa Young
On Washington's hitting in the sixth and seventh innings ... "I didn't feel like I lost focus. I think I had thrown a lot of pitches early in the game. I was behind a lot and I think that wore on me. Washington is a great hitting team. We expected that and I think I just got a few pitches too close to the plate and they took advantage of it."

Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423