U-M Drops Regular-Season Finale at Michigan State

Saturday, May 9

East Lansing, Mich.

1:00 PM

Michigan

41-10, 17-3

Michigan State

21-28, 5-14

Michigan

Michigan State

5/9/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

Site: East Lansing, Mich. (Old College Field)
Score: Michigan State 2, #8 Michigan 1
Records: U-M (41-10, 17-3 Big Ten), Michigan State (21-28, 4-15 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Fri-Sun., May 15-17 -- at NCAA Regionals (TBD)

Boxscore | Photo Gallery

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The No. 8-ranked University of Michigan softball team saw its 21-game winning streak halted in the regular-season finale, falling to intrastate rival Michigan State, 2-1, on Saturday afternoon (May 9) at Old College Field.

The Wolverines struggled to find their rhythm in the contest, scattering just five hits through seven innings, and sacrificed their initial advantage for just the first time in Big Ten Conference competition this season.

Sophomore RHP Jordan Taylor(Valencia, Calif./Valencia HS) was solid in defeat, registering 11 strikeouts -- her fourth straight double-digit strikeout effort -- while giving up two walks and three hits -- among them a two-run home in the fourth inning. The loss dropped Taylor's season record to 17-5.

The Wolverines broke open the scoreless tie in the fourth inning, using a leadoff base hit and back-to-back sacs to manufacture the go-ahead run. Freshman leftfielder Amanda Chidester(Allen Park, Mich./Cabrini HS) laid down the first pitch of the frame and beat out the throw to first, where she was replaced on the base path by junior centerfielder Molly Bausher(Las Vegas, Nev./Spring Valley HS), who advanced on a wild pitch and junior catcher Roya St. Clair's (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson HS) sacrifice bunt. Junior third baseman Maggie Viefhaus(Eureka, Mo./Eureka HS) then emerged from an extended at bat with a deep fly ball to centerfield, allowing Bausher to trot home from third base.

Michigan State responded in the home half of the inning, stealing away the lead with a two-run homer with one away. With MSU shortstop Lindsey Hansen occupying first base after a leadoff walk, pitcher Lauren Kramer lined a first-pitch shot over the fence in right centerfield. Taylor fanned the frame's remaining two batters on seven pitches, striking out the side for the second straight inning.

With one down in the seventh, junior designated player Nikki Nemitz(St. Clair Shores, Mich./Regina HS) smacked the first pitch she saw up the middle to put a runner on base for the Wolverines. Sophomore pinch hitter Marley Powers(Owosso, Mich./Owosso HS) singled in the next at bat, but the ball hit senior pinch runner Megan Gregory(Rockford, Mich./Rockford HS) in the base path, resulting in the inning's second out. The Spartans forced a shallow flyout one batter later to end the threat and claim the upset decision.

The NCAA Championship team selections and regional sites will be announced tomorrow (Sunday, May 10) at 10 p.m. EDT on ESPNU. Michigan has been in the NCAA field in each of the last 14 seasons, reaching the Women's College World Series eight times and winning the 2005 national championship.

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423