Wolverines Surge Past MSU to Capture Outright Big Ten Crown

Friday, May 8

Ann Arbor, Mich.

6:00 PM

Michigan

41-9, 17-2

Michigan State

20-28, 4-14

Michigan State

Michigan

Wolverines Surge Past MSU to Capture Outright Big Ten Crown

5/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Softball Complex)
Score: #8 Michigan 8, Michigan State 2
Records: U-M (41-9, 17-2 Big Ten), Michigan State (20-28, 3-15 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, May 9 -- at Michigan State (East Lansing, Mich.), 1 p.m.

Boxscore | Notes & Quotes | Photo Gallery | Video Report

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- After sacrificing the early lead, the No. 8-ranked University of Michigan softball team surged ahead in the late innings, capturing the Big Ten Conference title outright with an 8-2 decision over intrastate rival Michigan State on Friday evening (May 8) in front of 1,832 fans at the Wilpon Softball Complex, home of Alumni Field. With the victory, the Wolverines extend their winning streak to 21 games and wrap the home regular season with a perfect 14-0 record.

Mirroring her team's momentum, junior LHP Nikki Nemitz(St. Clair Shores, Mich./Regina HS) grew stronger as the game wore on, fanning eight of the last 11 batters faced, including five straight between the fourth and sixth innings. The Wolverine hurler completed the contest with 11 strikeouts -- her 12th double-digit strikeout effort of the season -- while allowing three hits, including a two-run shot in the fourth that provided MSU its only runs. Nemitz picked up her 12th win in as many starts to improve to 24-5 on the season.

Junior rightfielder Angela Findlay(Lockport, Ill./East HS) and freshman designated player Amanda Chidester(Allen Park, Mich./Cabrini HS) paced the Wolverines from the plate, with each posting two-hit performances with an RBI and a run scored at the three and four spots. Nemitz and sophomore first baseman Dorian Shaw(Burke, Va./Robinson SS) each posted a pair of RBI, marking the seventh multi-RBI effort for Nemitz and the sixth for Shaw on the season.

After MSU second baseman Gina Mondo's home run to centerfield in the fourth tied the game at 2-2, the Wolverines bounced back with three runs apiece in the fifth and sixth innings. Chidester rapped a first-pitch leadoff double off the top of the rightfield fence to kick off the rally in the former frame and, after junior third baseman Maggie Viefhaus(Eureka, Mo./Eureka HS) accepted a full-count walk, Nemitz loaded the bases when all Wolverine runners reached safely on her fielder's choice. Shaw looped the second pitch of the subsequent at bat into right center, scoring two, and sophomore pinch runner Alycia Ryan(Morristown, N.J./Morristown HS) used aggressive base running to add another one batter later. Senior shortstop Teddi Ewing(Olathe, Kan./East HS) put the ball in play, dribbling it to Mondo, who easily threw out Shaw at second. As the Spartans attempted to catch Ewing at first to complete the double play, Ryan rounded third and headed home to pick up her first run of the season.

The Spartans recorded four total errors in the contest, and Michigan took advantage of two of them in the sixth inning to pad its lead to six runs. With one down, freshman leftfielder Bree Evans(Bloomington, Calif./Rialto HS) reached base safely when Mondo bobbled a hard-hit grounder to second and quickly advanced to third in the next at bat when the Spartans erred on the throw to first after a Findlay infield single. Chidester sent her home on a hard grounder through the left side as the ball scooted underneath a diving MSU shortstop, and junior catcher Roya St. Clair(Livonia, Mich./Stevenson HS) followed suit, roping an RBI double down the rightfield line. With Chidester occupying third base and still just one out, Nemitz capped the contest's scoring two batters later, knocking a first-pitch sacrifice fly into leftfield.

The Wolverines led early in the game, using a pair of hits and three walks in the first inning to gain a quick 2-0 advantage. Freshman second baseman Stephanie Kirkpatrick(Plainfield, Ill./Central HS) set the tone from the leadoff spot, connecting with the 0-2 pitch and driving it through the left side. After an Evans walk, Findlay smacked an RBI double up the middle, scoring Kirkpatrick from second base and moving Evans to third. Back-to-back walks brought in another run with Nemitz picking up the RBI on the latter.

The Wolverines will wrap up the regular-season portion of their 2009 schedule tomorrow (Saturday, May 9), heading up to East Lansing, Mich., to complete the home-and-home series against intrastate rival Michigan State. The game is slated for a 1 p.m. start at Old College Field.

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423