University of Louisville
MICHIGAN
No. 1 Michigan Tops Softball 2-1 and 7-0
March 26, 2005 | Softball
March 26, 2005
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - - The University of Louisville's softball team fell to No. 1 ranked Michigan 2-1 and 7-0 on Sunday, the final day of the Courtyard Marriott Classic.
In the first game, the Wolverines broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning with a solo home run by Samantha Findlay to make the game 1-0.
The Cards threatened in the bottom of the fourth when Courtney Moore and Lacy Wood led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Sara Bausher reached on an error, making the bases loaded with no outs. Moore was forced out at the plate when Jenn Skaggs hit a ground ball to second and reached on the fielder's choice. Michigan's starting pitcher, Lorilyn Wilson, retired the next two batters to end the inning.
Michigan added another run to the board when Michelle Teschler led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on Tiffany Hass' single. Alessandra Giampaolo reached on a Louisville error moving Teschler to third and Haas to second with no outs. A ground ball to second by Jessica Merchant scored Teschler making the game 2-0.
The Cards responded in the bottom of the seventh with a big hit to center by pinch hitter Lisa Estes. Estes moved to second on a wild pitch and then to third on another wild pitch. Junior Leslie Garland singled to left scoring Estes to make the game 2-1. The Wolverines' reliever, Jennie Ritter, retired the next two batters to end the game.
Louisville starter Aja Sherman (6-7) took the loss allowing two earned runs, on three hits and striking out five in six innings. Sophomore Catherine Bishop came in relief allowing no runs, no hits and striking out one in one inning. Offensively, the Cards had six hits in the contest. Moore and Wood both finished the game batting 1-for-2. Garland also finished the game 1-2 with a single and had the Cards' only RBI of the game.
Michigan's Lorilyn Wilson (12-0) picked up the win, allowing one earned run on six hits ans striking out seven in 6.1 innings.
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Wolverines struck in the bottom of the first inning. Haas led off with a single to set up Merchant's two-run shot giving Michigan the early 2-0 lead.
Michigan continued the scoring in the second. Rebekah Milian and Teschler began the inning with back-to-back singles. Haas then reached on a fielder's choice to put runners on first and third. Alessandra Giampaolo drove in Milian from third with a single, extending Michigan's lead to 3-0.
In the bottom of the third, Michigan's Nicole Motycka reached on a fielder's choice and scored on an RBI single by Becky Marx, making it 4-0.
The Wolverines added three more runs in the sixth when Giampaolo led off with a double and scored on Merchant's single to make it 5-0. Findlay followed with a walk. Merchant and Findlay advanced on a wild pitch and Merchant crossed the plate on another wild pitch. Findley scored on Louisville error to make it a 7-0 game.
Louisville starter Catherine Bishop (10-5) took the loss, allowing seven run, six earned on nine hits in 3.1 innings. Sherman came on in relief, holding Michigan scoreless and giving up two hits in 2.2 innings.
Michigan's Jennie Ritter (14-0) posted her eighth shutout of the season, scattering four hits and striking out nine in seven innings. The Wolverines had 11 hits in the game. Merchant was 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBI. Giampaolo and Millian also had two hits each. Michigan (31-1) extends its win streak to 31 games.
"I was very pleased with the first game," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "Michigan is an excellent hitting team, which is evident in their No. 1 ranking. Aja Sherman pitched a tremendous game, holding them to two runs and three hits. We need to start swinging the bats with more confidence when in position to score runs. That was the difference between the two teams today."
U of L (16-12, 2-1 Conference USA) will play host to C-USA opponent UAB in a doubleheader on Wednesday, March 29 at 2:00 p.m.
