Michigan Splits Pair on Opening Day of Judi Garman Classic

Thursday, March 20

Fullerton, Calif.

Noon PT

Michigan

22-2

UNLV

19-16-1

UNLV

Michigan

Michigan Splits Pair on Opening Day of Judi Garman Classic

3/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Site: Fullerton, Calf. (Anderson Family Field)
Event: Judi Garman Classic (Day 1)
Scores: #6 Michigan 7, UNLV 0; #19 Fresno State 6, #6 Michigan 5
Records: U-M (22-3), UNLV (19-16-1), Fresno State (26-5)
Next U-M Event: Friday, March 21 -- vs. Arizona (11 a.m. PDT), vs. San Diego State (1:30 p.m.) at Judi Garman Classic (Fullerton, Calif.)

Boxscores:Game 1 | Game 2

FULLERTON, Calif. -- The No. 6-ranked University of Michigan softball split its opening pair of contests at the annual Judi Garman Classic, cruising past UNLV 7-0 before having its 15-game winning streak snapped with a 6-5 loss against No. 19 Fresno State on Friday (March 20) at Anderson Family Field.

The Wolverines (22-3) were strong from the plate in both games, combining for 22 total hits on the day, including four for extra bases. Senior leftfielder Alessandra Giampaolo(Pasadena, Calif./Polytechnic HS) tallied multiple hits in each contest, batting 4-for-7 on the day with two doubles and three runs batted in. Sophomore centerfielder Molly Bausher(Las Vegas, Nev./Spring Valley HS) also went 4-for-7 at the plate, while sophomore rightfielder Angela Findlay(Lockport, Ill./East HS) batted 4-for-6. Both registered a pair of RBI.

Sophomore pitcher Nikki Nemitz(St. Clair Shores, Mich./Regina HS) rung up a career-high 13 strikeouts -- fanning more than half of the 24 batters she faced -- en route to a three-hit, complete-game shutout against UNLV in the first contest. Freshman Jordan Taylor(Valencia, Calif./Valencia HS) accepted the loss in game two -- her first since the season-opening weekend -- after striking out five and allowing seven hits and six runs (three earned).

The Wolverines used a strong start and a strong finish to roll past the Rebels in the morning contest, scoring a pair of runs in the first and second frames before tacking on three in the home half of the sixth. U-M combined for 13 total hits -- just one shy of its season-best tally -- including six in its final turn at the plate.

Bausher kicked off the game with her third double of the season, ripping a hard base hit down leftfield line. After advancing on a wild pitch, the U-M centerfielder trotted across home plate when Findlay lofted a sacrifice fly to centerfield. Giampaolo, who reached via a base on balls, came home two batters later when sophomore third baseman Maggie Viefhaus(Eureka, Mo./Eureka HS) knocked a base hit into centerfield.

Michigan used similar strategy to earn its runs in the second frame, scoring on a sacrifice fly from junior shortstop Teddi Ewing(Olathe, Kan./East HS) before Giampaolo drove in another on a double to leftfield. The two-bagger was the second of the season for Giampaolo and the 50th of her collegiate career.

The Wolverines' hits in the sixth came in a cluster as Ewing, with no outs at the bottom of the order, placed a successful bunt between the pitching circle and home plate and ignited the stretch of six straight U-M safeties. With two runners in scoring position, Bausher drove in a pair of runs on her single to centerfield, while Viefhaus brought home the final tally of the game on another knock to center.

Fresno State used a balanced attack to defeat the Wolverines, scoring two runs apiece in the first, second and fourth innings to build an insurmountable advantage. Michigan rallied late, scoring one in the fifth inning and three in the sixth to pull within one run on the scoreboard, but could not complete the comeback.

Four of the Bulldogs' tallies came on two-out extra-base hits, and three were unearned. A first-inning passed ball put Fresno State runners in scoring position and subsequently allowed two to cross home plate on a fielder's choice and base hit to leftfield. The Bulldogs claimed their second-inning runs on a two-RBI double to rightfield and added two more in the fourth on Caitlin Stiglich's home run -- just the third given up by U-M this year -- over the leftfield fence.

Michigan scored runs on RBI singles from Ewing and Findlay in the second and fifth innings but could not keep pace with the Bulldogs until the top of the sixth when the Wolverines used a pair of hits -- both for extra bases -- to manufacture three runs. Freshman Dorian Shaw(Burke, Va./Robinson SS), with one out and nobody on, launched a solo shot over the wall in right-centerfield for her fourth home run of the season. Ewing and Bausher accepted walks to give U-M a runner in scoring position, and Giampaolo knocked a 1-2 pitch deep into centerfield to score both and claim her second double of the day.

The Wolverines threatened in the seventh, leading off with a base hit from senior Samantha Findlay(Lockport, Ill./East HS) and placing a pair of runners on base, but could not drive either home.

The Wolverines will return to action at the Judi Garman Classic on Friday (March 21) with games against No. 7 Arizona (11 a.m. PDT) and No. 25 San Diego State (1:30 p.m.). Both contests will be held at Anderson Family Field.

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423