Michigan Shut Out Despite Outhitting Top-Ranked Bruins

Sunday, February 15

Las Vegas, Nev.

10:00 AM PT

Michigan

3-2

UCLA

9-0

Michigan

UCLA

Michigan Shut Out Despite Outhitting Top-Ranked Bruins

2/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- The University of Michigan softball team suffered a 3-0 loss to No. 1-ranked UCLA this afternoon (Sunday, Feb. 15) at the UNLV Desert Classic to complete its tournament play with a 3-2 record. It was a tough loss for the Wolverines, who out-hit the Bruins 7-2 but were unable to capitalize in rally situations. Despite giving up seven hits, UCLA's Keira Goerl made it tough on Michigan, striking out four and allowing no Wolverines to reach base via the walk.

Sophomore pitcher Jennie Ritter (Dexter, Mich./Dexter HS) made her third start of the tournament and turned in another good performance, giving up just two earned runs. She went the distance, striking out eight and allowing only two hits and four walks.

The top of the Wolverine order generated most of the offense, with the first three batters coming up with five of Michigan's seven hits. Senior rightfielder Courtney Betley (Corona, Calif./Santa Ana Mater Dei HS) and sophomore second baseman Tiffany Haas (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill HS) each picked up a pair of singles, with three other Wolverines stroking one hit for the afternoon.

The Wolverines found themselves down early after they were unable to get anything going in the top of the first. UCLA responded with a two-run rally aided by two walks and a Michigan error. The Bruins put their first run on the board after the error, and stroked their first hit of the afternoon to score a runner from third and gain a 2-0 lead. Michigan got out of the inning with no further damage after UCLA popped to first with a runner on second and one out, and Ritter closed the deal with a strikeout.

Michigan could not get anything going until the third inning, when sophomore third baseman Grace Leutele (Sierra Vista, Ariz./Buena HS) led off the frame with a single down the third-base line. A sacrifice and a UCLA error put runners on first and third with one out, but the Wolverines were unable to capitalize. A groundout and a fly to left ended the inning.

Ritter came out in the bottom of the third and shut down the opposition, putting together a perfect inning to get Michigan back to the plate. The Wolverines once again led off the frame with a single, as Haas guided one to center. A sacrifice moved the runner to second for senior first baseman Jennifer Olds (Riviera Beach, Fla./Suncost HS), who came through with a single to third. The Wolverines loaded the bases with two out after Leutele was hit by a pitch, but Michigan was again unable to get the runners home as a groundout ended the inning.

UCLA scored its final run of the afternoon without the benefit of a hit. After two quick outs in the bottom of the fifth, the Bruins began by putting a runner on first with a walk. Ritter struck out the next batter, but a passed ball allowed the runner at first to circle the bases to give the Bruins a 3-0 lead going into the sixth.

Michigan attempted some two-out magic in the top of the seventh after back-to-back singles from senior centerfielder Meghan Doe (Tucsan, Ariz./Sabino HS) and Betley put runners on first and second. The Wolverines grounded out, however, and the game ended with UCLA on top 3-0.

Michigan's next tournament will take place next week when the Wolverines travel to Boca Raton, Fla., Friday (Feb. 20) for the Florida Atlantic Tournament. The three-day competition will pit Michigan against four different teams before championship play begins on Sunday (Feb. 22).

N O T E S

Jennifer Olds and Tiffany Haas have hit safely in all five games this season.

Jennie Ritter has 20 strikeouts in her first three starts this season.

Freshman Rebekah Milian (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc HS) made her first career start for the Maize and Blue as the designated hitter, going 0-3.

Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423