Eleven-Run First Caps U-M Doubleheader Sweep of Loyola

Saturday, March 28

Ann Arbor, Mich.

2:00 PM

Michigan

21-9

Loyola Chicago

14-10

Loyola Chicago

Michigan

Eleven-Run First Caps U-M Doubleheader Sweep of Loyola

3/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Softball Complex)
Score: #12 Michigan 4, Loyola (Ill.) 1; #12 Michigan 13, Loyola (Ill.) 0
Records: U-M (22-9), Loyola (Ill.) (14-11)
Next U-M Event: Wednesday, April 1 -- Doubleheader at Penn State (State College, Pa.), 3 p.m.

Boxscores: Game 1 | Game 2 | Notes & Quotes| Photo Gallery
Video Report: Game 1 | Game 2

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 12-ranked University of Michigan softball team went yard five times in a decisive doubleheader sweep against Loyola Chicago, defeating the Ramblers, 4-1, in the opening game before scoring 11 first-inning runs en route to a 13-0, five-inning victory in the nightcap on Saturday afternoon (March 28) in the home opener at the Wilpon Softball Complex, home of Alumni Field.

Nine different Wolverine batters tallied hits on the afternoon, while six registered a multi-hit effort in one of the contests. Freshman utility player Amanda Chidester(Allen Park, Mich./Cabrini HS) and junior pitcher Nikki Nemitz(St. Clair Shores, Mich./Regina HS) each knocked out a pair of home runs -- one in each contest -- while Chidester added an opening-game triple to headline the Wolverines' offensive efforts. Sophomore first baseman Dorian Shaw(Burke, Va./Robinson SS) recorded Michigan's other long ball, belting a solo shot in the second game to up her season home run total to a team-high six.

Nemitz also starred from the pitching circle, claiming the victory in game one with a 12-strikeout , one-hit performance. The Wolverine hurler, who improved to 13-5 with the decision, carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning before allowing bunt base hit and a run off a final-out pickle. Sophomore Jordan Taylor(Valencia, Calif./Valencia HS) earned the win in the second game, fanning four Rambler batters while allowing one hit through four innings. Sophomore Lauren Taylor(Northville, Mich./Ladywood HS) made her collegiate debut in relief in the fifth, allowing two hits while contributing to the shutout effort.

The Wolverines used eight hits and five walks to manufacture its 11 tallies in the opening frame of the second slate -- the most single-inning runs scored by the Wolverines in nine seasons. Half of Michigan's hits in the inning were for extra bases -- two doubles and two home runs -- but Nemitz kicked off the scoring surge with a single, driving a hard liner off the top of the fence in centerfield to bring home both of the early Wolverines' baserunners. Nemitz came home herself two batters later when junior catcher Roya St. Clair(Livonia, Mich./Stevenson HS) singled up the middle.

A runner-interference call provided Loyola its second out, but, with the bases loaded, the Wolverines continued to pile on the runs. Freshman Stephanie Kirkpatrick(Plainfield, Ill./Central HS) drove a two-RBI double to left centerfield and, after back-to-back walks quickly reloaded the bases, Chidester cleared them with one swing, sending a towering blast to the top of the trees beyond the left centerfield fence for her first collegiate grand slam. Nemitz followed suit in the next at bat, battling back in the count before connecting with the 2-2 pitch and sailing a liner just over the fence in rightfield. The latter home run induced the Ramblers' second pitching change of the inning, which initially appeared ineffective when junior third baseman Maggie Viefhaus(Eureka, Mo./Eureka HS) doubled to left center on the second pitch she faced, but Loyola got out of the jam on a subsequent groundout.

The Wolverines returned to similar form in the second frame, however,as Shaw made contact with the inning's first pitch and bombed a liner over the leftfield fence. Senior shortstop Teddi Ewing(Olathe, Kan./East HS) reached on a comebacker up the middle in the next at bat and, after quickly advancing herself to third on a pair of passed balls, came home to wrap up U-M's scoring when Kirkpatrick singled down the rightfield line.

All four of Michigan's runs in the opening slate came off of home-run balls as Chidester and Nemitz registered two-run shots in the first and third innings, respectively. Evans led off the former inning with a well-placed single to shortstop, which spun in the dirt to slow its progress in the six hole andallowed her to beat out the throw to first. After a sacrifice bunt moved Evans into scoring position, Chidester connected with the 1-2 pitch and drove it into the Loyola bullpen beyond the leftfield fence, falling just short of making contact with the Alumni Field scoreboard.

Chidester tripled in her next turn at the plate, lacing a liner to the base of the centerfield fence, before Nemitz got a hold of the next pitch and sailed it over the fence in rightfield.

From the circle, Nemitz retired the next nine batters she faced in order, striking out the side in the fourth and adding two more Ks in the fifth, before the Rambers spoiled her no-hit effort with a leadoff bunt in the sixth. Loyola put another runner on base when Ewing erred when failing to make a successful relay throw to first and advanced both on a double steal in the next at bat. U-M threw out the lead runner at home on a comebacker to the circle and, after the Ramblers inserted Bridget Lally at first base, Michigan caught the pinch runner in a pickle, tagging her out on the base path but not before Loyola scored a run to ruin the shutout bid.

The Wolverines will return to the road for a midweek Big Ten Conference doubleheader at Penn State on Wednesday (April 1). The first game is slated to begin at 3 p.m. at Nittany Lion Field in State College, Pa.

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423