Wolverines Use Five-Run Fifth Inning to Top Minnesota

Friday, March 14

Louisville, Ky.

6:00 PM

Michigan

18-2

Minnesota

16-6

Michigan

Minnesota

Wolverines Use Five-Run Fifth Inning to Top Minnesota

3/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

Site: Louisville, Ky. (Ulmer Stadium)
Score: #9 Michigan 7, Minnesota 2
Records: U-M (18-2), Minnesota (16-6)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, March 15 -- vs. Miami of Ohio (10 a.m.), at Louisville (noon) at Louisville Tournament (Louisville, Ky.)

Boxscore

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- After rain pushed its start time back six hours, the No. 9-ranked University of Michigan softball team used hot bats and a big fifth inning to cruise past Minnesota 7-2 in its opening contest of the Louisville Tournament on Friday evening (March 14) at Ulmer Stadium.

Michigan (18-2) combined for 13 hits -- its second-highest total of the season --with three earning extra bases. Four Wolverines registered multiple hits against the Gophers, including senior Samantha Findlay(Lockport, Ill./East HS), who went 2-for-3 and registered her third home run in as many games. Junior Teddi Ewing(Olathe, Kan./East HS) went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI, while sophomore Nikki Nemitz(St. Clair Shores, Mich./Regina HS), freshman Dorian Shaw(Burke, Va./Robinson SS) also tallied two base hits.

Nemitz claimed the victory from the pitching circle, allowing four hits and striking out six through 6.2 innings pitched to earn her eighth win of the season. Freshman Jordan Taylor(Valencia, Calif./Valencia HS) entered in relief with two outs and bases loaded in the seventh inning and fanned the final at-bat to close the game.

After taking the initial lead with a run scored -- on a bases-loaded Samantha Findlay foul out -- in the top of the third, the Wolverines broke the game open in the fifth, manufacturing five runs on four hits, a pair of walks and a wild pitch. Findlay and Ewing drove in three runs on doubles to opposite fields early and late in the frame. Findlay advanced two bases to trot across home plate herself on back-to-back singles from sophomore Maggie Viefhaus(Eureka, Mo./Eureka HS) and Nemitz before Viefhaus scored off a wild pitch by Gopher pitcher Katie Dalen. Ewing's two-bagger to rightfield -- her fourth double of the season -- brought in a pair of runs and wrapped up Michigan's fifth-inning scoring.

Findlay led off the sixth with a solo shot over the rightfield fence, padding her new U-M career record in the category to 48. The Wolverine boasts seven home runs on the season and has boasted one in each of the last three games.

Minnesota scored runs in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings on just one combined hit but not overcome the Wolverine advantage as U-M held on for its 11th straight victory.

Michigan will continue competition at the Louisville Tournamenton Saturday(March 15) with a pair of non-conference slates. Today's rain altered Saturday's schedule; U-M will face Miami of Ohio (1o .m.) and host Louisville (noon) at Ulmer Stadium.

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423