Wolverines Wrap Up Kick-Off Classic with Two Wins

Sunday, February 10

Boca Raton, Fla.

11:00 AM

Michigan

3-1

Maryland

3-1

Michigan

Maryland

2/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

Site: Boca Raton, Fla. (FAU Softball Stadium)
Event: Kick-Off Classic
Scores: #12 Michigan 5, Florida Atlantic 2; #12 Michigan 2 Maryland 2
Records: Michigan (4-1), Florida Atlantic (2-1); Maryland (3-1)
Next U-M Events: Friday, Feb. 15 vs. Penn State (Noon); Cal State-Fullerton (2:30 p.m.) at Time Warner Cable Texas Invitational (Austin, Texas)

Boxscores: Game 1 | Game 2

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- The No. 12 University of Michigan softball team wrapped up play at the Kick-Off Classic in a high note, earning a pair of 5-2 decisions against Florida Atlantic and Maryland on Sunday (Feb. 10) at the FAU Softball Stadium. The Wolverines won the first contest in dramatic fashion, scoring four runs in the bottom of the ninth to overcome a narrow deficit, and carried the momentum into its rematch vs. the Terps, combining for a season-high 12 hits.

Sophomore Molly Bausher(Las Vegas, Nev./Spring Valley HS) paced the Wolverines' offensive performance with career day from the leadoff spot, going 6-for-8 from the plate with an RBI in the second game. Sophomore Maggie Viefhaus(Eureka, Mo./Eureka HS) tallied a pair of hits ineach contest, while freshman Dorian Shaw(Burke, Va./Robinson SS) earned her biggest hit to date -- a walk-off, three-run shot in the bottom of the ninth inning against Florida Atlantic.

Freshman pitcher Jordan Taylor(Valencia, Calif./Valencia HS) went the distance into extra innings -- for the second time this weekend -- in the first game, fanning nine batters and opening the game with seven shutout innings. Sophomore pitcher Nikki Nemitz(St. Clair Shores, Mich./Regina HS) followed suit in the against the Terps, allowing four hits and striking out two through six innings of work. Entering in relief with two on in the seventh against Maryland, Taylor loaded the bases with a walk before earning three straight outs -- two by strikeout -- to earn her first career save.

After seven innings of scoreless play against Florida Atlantic, the Wolverines found themselves trailing in the first frame of extra play. With two outs and the Owls' Hailey Broyles on base via the international tiebreaker, FAU second baseman Amy Bukovich ripped an RBI double to the outfield, bringing Broyles home and giving her team the first lead of the game. But Michigan responded in kind in the bottom half of the inning. With two on and two out, sophomore Angela Findlay(Lockport, Ill./East HS) knocked an RBI single to leftfield, sending Bausher home from second base and evening the score at 1-1.

Florida Atlantic retook the lead in the ninth, scoring an unearned run after two passed balls advanced Jessica Myers from second base. Michigan again had an answer, first tying up the score on a sacrific fly from senior Angie Danis(Manchester, Mo./Parkway West HS) before Shaw stepped to the plate with two on and knocked out a three-run home run over the leftfield fence for her first career long ball.

The Wolverines continued their prowess at the plate into the subsequent game vs. Maryland, kicking off the game with a pair of runs each in the opening two innings to avenge its only loss of the season. Bausher and junior Teddi Ewing(Olathe, Kan./East HS) both registered three hits, while Giampaolo and Viefhaus boasted a pair.

The senior captains set the tone early as Samantha Findlay(Lockport, Ill./East HS) sent one deep over the leftfield fence in the top of the first frame and Giampaolo followed up singles from Ewing and Bausher in the second with an RBI double -- the 49th of her career -- to the outfield. Michigan rounded its scoring in the fourth. With one out, Ewing doubled to left center and, after advancing to third on a passed ball, was quickly brought home by Bausher, who ripped an RBI single down the leftfield line.

The Wolverines (3-1) will travel to Austin, Texas next weekend (Feb. 15-17) to participate in the Time Warner Cable Texas Invitational at the Lorghorns' Red & Charline McCombs Field. Michigan will open the tournament against Big Ten rival Penn State at noon CST before facing Cal State-Fullerton at 2:30 p.m.

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423