Nemitz's Walk-Off Completes U-M Comeback Over Minnesota

Saturday, April 11

Ann Arbor, Mich.

3:00 PM

Michigan

28-9, 5-2

Minnesota

21-23, 4-5

Minnesota

Michigan

Nemitz's Walk-Off Completes U-M Comeback Over Minnesota

4/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Softball Complex)
Score: #8 Michigan 4, Minnesota 1 (8 innings)
Records: U-M (28-9), Minn. (21-23)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, April 12 -- vs. Minnesota (Wilpon Softball Complex), 1 p.m.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Junior pitcher Nikki Nemitz(St. Clair Shores, Mich./Regina HS) knocked out a three-run, walk-off shot in the bottom half of the eighth inning to propel the No. 8-ranked University of Michigan softball team to a 4-1 comeback win over Minnesota on Saturday afternoon (April 11) in front of 1,765 fans at the Wilpon Softball Complex, home of Alumni Field.

With one out and two aboard in the extra frame, Nemitz, who also fanned 14 Gopher batters in a complete-game two-hitter from the circle, connected with the 3-1 pitch and clanged it off the light pole beyond the rightfield fence for Michigan's second walk-off hit in three games. The home run -- Nemitz's third of the season -- scored junior rightfielder Angela Findlay(Lockport, Ill./East HS) and freshman designated player Amanda Chidester(Allen Park, Mich./Cabrini HS), who headlined the Wolverines' offensive efforts with back-to-back 2-for-3 efforts at the four and five spots.

After a quick strikeout, Findlay kicked off Michigan's scoring threat in the eighth, lacing full-count double to the gap in right center before Chidester joined her on base when the first pitch of the next at bat went awry and straight into her left knee.

The duo played a heavy role in manufacturing the Wolverines' other run in the bottom of the fourth inning, which came as a quick response to Minnesota's solo home run in the top half of the frame. Findlay reached base on a leadoff walk and was quickly moved into scoring position when Chidester smacked a hard grounder through the left-side gap for U-M's second hit of the contest. Nemitz loaded the bases on a full-count walk of her own before junior catcher Roya St. Clair(Livonia, Mich./Stevenson HS) made the Gophers pay with an RBI fielder's choice to shallow leftfield.

Michigan threatened to score again in the sixth in Findlay and Chidester's next turn at the plate as the duo led off the inning with back-to-back base hits. Despite allowing both baserunners to move into scoring position, Minnesota got out of the frame unscathed, retiring the next three Wolverine batters in order.

Nemitz struck out at least one Minnesota batter in each of the eight innings she pitched, including six straight between the first and third frames. The Wolverine hurler, who improved to 18-5 with the win, maintained her control through the late innings, needing just 17 pitches to retire the final six batters she faced.

Michigan will wrap up its two-game series vs. Minnesota tomorrow (Sunday, April 12). The game is slated for a 1 p.m. start at the Wilpon Softball Complex.

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423