Wolverines Leave the Yard Five Times in Sweep of Hoosiers

Wednesday, April 29

Ann Arbor, Mich.

4:00 PM

Michigan

35-9, 11-2

Indiana

9-35, 3-12

Indiana

Michigan

Wolverines Leave the Yard Five Times in Sweep of Hoosiers

4/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Softball Complex)
Score: #8 Michigan 5, Indiana 1; #8 Michigan 7, Indiana 1
Records: U-M (36-9, 12-2 Big Ten), IU (9-36, 3-13 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, May 2 -- vs. Iowa (Wilpon Softball Complex), 6 p.m.

Boxscores: Game 1 | Game 2 | Notes & Quotes | Photo Gallery
Highlights: Game 1 | Game 2

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 8-ranked University of Michigan softball team surged to the top of the Big Ten Conference standings, extending its conference winning streak to 12 games with a 5-1, 7-1 doubleheader sweep against Indiana on Wednesday (April 29) in front of 1,223 fans at the Wilpon Softball Complex, home of Alumni Field. The Wolverines, whoare perfect in their last 16 outings, share the league's top spot with Ohio State with similar 12-2 records.

Junior lefthanderNikki Nemitz (St. Clair Shores, Mich./Regina HS) allowed one run on four hits while striking out eight and not yielding a walk to claim the opener and improve to 21-5 on the season. Sophomorerighthander Jordan Taylor(Valencia, Calif./Valencia HS) picked up the victory in the second game, upping her season mark to 15-4, striking out a season-high 13 while walking one in a two-hit, complete-game outing. Nemitz joined sophomore first baseman Dorian Shaw(Burke, Va./Robinson SS) with a home run in each contest.

Freshman outfielder Bree Evans(Bloomington, Calif./Rialto HS) had two stolen bases and scored three times as part of a 6-for-7 day -- including a career-best 4-for-4 effort in the nightcap -- to pace the Wolverines, while junior rightfielder Angela Findlay(Lockport, Ill./East HS) drove in three runs on the strength of three hits.

The Hoosiers jumped on Michigan in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead in game one. Nemitz's first offering of the day was laced into right centerfield, putting a runner on second. After the next batter reached on a fielders choice, the Wolverines put away the next two batters. With two away and two runners in scoring position, IU's Jennifer Gluekert pounded a ball off the outstretched glove of Ewing and into the outfield, scoring a run from third. Nemitz retired the next batter to strand a pair of IU baserunners.

Michigan came up with its answer in the bottom of the fourth, leveling things at 1-1 when Evans was pushed across. Evans led off the frame with her second infield hit of the afternoon, moved over on a groundout, and then a batter later, took third on a wild pitch in the dirt with junior catcher Roya St. Clair(Livonia, Mich./Stevenson HS) at the plate. The Wolverine backstop deposited the next pitch into short centerfield, easily scoring Evans from third. Junior third baseman Maggie Viefhaus(Eureka, Mo./Eureka HS) followed with a two-out walk, but the Wolverines could not generate any more runs before the side was retired.

Shaw gave the Wolverines their first lead of the day, 2-1, to lead off the home half of the fifth. With a 1-1 count, Shaw launched a blast that almost cleared the pine trees beyond the left-centerfield fence. Michigan could not build on the home run, going down in order after Shaw.

The Wolverines continued to use leadoff infield hits and the long ball to extend their lead to 5-1 in the sixth inning. Findlay led off the frame with a grounder deep in the hole at second base and beat out the throw to first. After two U-M batters were retired, Viefhaus ripped a ball to rightfield that eluded the wind and the reach of the IU outfielder to give the Maize and Blue a 4-1 lead. With the bases empty, Nemitz stepped in and drilled a line-drive solo home run into left centerfield to extend the advantage to four runs.

The offense spilled over into the second game with U-M taking a 1-0 lead in the first frame. Evans led off the inning with a bouncer that skipped over the third baseman and into leftfield. After stealing second base, Evans came around to score on a Findlay double off the top of the wall in right centerfield. Freshman leftfielder Amanda Chidester(Allen Park, Mich./Cabrini HS) followed with a single to the shortstop but was stranded on second base.

Michigan tacked on three more runs in the second to extend its lead to 4-0. The Wolverines benefitted from two walks before Evans came to the plate and sliced a hit through the right side, scoring junior pinch runner Kristin Larsen(Orion, Mich./Lake Orion HS) from second and pushing senior shortstop Teddi Ewing(Olathe, Kan./East HS) to third. Ewing did not have to wait long to trot the final 60 feet to home, as Findlay followed with a liner to the warning track in centerfield, scoring Ewing and Evans.

The runs continued to come for the Maize and Blue in the fourth, moving ahead 5-0. Shaw began the inning with a single the right side that corkscrewed around the first baseman. Ewing bunted her into scoring position before Evans bounced a single up the middle to score the run from second base.

Taylor, who carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning, got into her lone jam of the day in the next inning despite striking out the side. With one out, Taylor yielded a walk and two singles through the middle to load the bases. After another punch out, IU shortstop Emily Bergeson ripped a 3-2 pitch off the glove of Viefhaus, scoring one run. Taylor ended the threat with a strike out to escape with a 5-1 lead.

Back-to-back long balls off the bats of Nemitz and Shaw put the game out of reach for the Hoosiers and upped the Wolverine lead to 7-1. Nemitz belted the first pitch of the inning to straight-away centerfield for her sixth home run of the season and second on the day. Shaw stepped in next and worked her way into a full count before tearing into a pitch and sending it sailing over the scoreboard in leftfield for her ninth dinger of the seasonand second of the afternoon.

Taylor brought a quick end to the contest in the seventh, retiring the final three Hoosier batters on just seven pitches.

Michigan's home stand continues this weekend with a pair of contests against Big Ten foe Iowa. Saturday's (May 2) game is set for 6 p.m. before a 1 p.m. matinee on Sunday (May 3).

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423