Merchant, Ritter Lead U-M Past MSU in Tourney Opener

Thursday, May 12

Ann Arbor, Mich.

7:30 PM

Michigan

53-4

Michigan State

25-28-1

Michigan State

Michigan

5/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The top-seeded University of Michigan softball team advanced to the semifinal round of the 2005 Big Ten Tournament after a 6-2 victory over No. 8 seed Michigan State tonight (Thursday, May 12) at Alumni Field. The Wolverines were paced by starting pitcher Jennie Ritter (Dexter, Mich./Dexter HS), who struck out 11 in her 27th win of the season. Ritter allowed just two hits and two runs -- one unearned -- in her seven-inning performance.

The Wolverines managed all six of their runs with two outs, including a long three-run home run off the bat of Jessica Merchant (Wayland, Mich./Wayland HS) in the second inning. Merchant went 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored. Leftfielder Rebekah Milian (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc HS) also contributed to the offensive effort, posting a perfect 3-for-3 evening at the plate with one run scored.

Michigan established a lead early, scoring in the bottom of the first on a two-out RBI single from designated player Nicole Motycka (Sarasota, Fla./Cardinal Mooney HS). The Wolverines pulled away in the bottom of the second after MSU starting pitcher Rachel Turney left the contest due to injury.

Spartan relief pitcher Lesley Noel struggled against the top of the Michigan lineup in her first inning of work, throwing a wild pitch and giving up a walk to put runners on first and third with two outs for Merchant. The shortstop came through, belting a long home run to leftfield to give the Wolverines a 4-0 advantage after two innings. Merchant is now hitting .391 with 21 RBI this season in two-out situations. Her two-out RBI total is second on U-M behind Samantha Findlay's (Lockport, Ill./East HS) 23. As a team, Michigan is hitting .340 with two outs this season.

With a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth, Michigan extended its advantage with another two-out rally. After runners reached second and third with two out, third baseman Grace Leutele (Sierra Vista, Ariz./Buena HS) drove a double to rightfield to give U-M a 5-1 lead. Rightfielder Stephanie Bercaw (Wooster, Ohio/Hillsdale HS) kept the rally alive, pushing across another U-M run with a two-out single and a 6-1 lead.

Though Michigan State managed an unearned run in the top of the sixth, Ritter held the Spartans at bay for remainder of the contest. She retired the final five batters in order, including a strikeout to put Michigan's 53rd win on ice.

Michigan's next contest will take place against the winner of No. 4 seed Ohio State and No. 5 seed Wisconsin on Friday (May 13, 7:30 p.m.) at Alumni Field.

Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423