University of Louisville
MICHIGAN
Sixth-Ranked Michigan Stops Softball 2-0
March 25, 2007 | Softball
March 25, 2007
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - - Sixth-ranked Michigan defeated host University of Louisville 2-0 in the final game of the Women 4 Women Softball Invitational Sunday at Ulmer Stadium. The Cards finished the weekend with a 3-1 record in the tournament. Michigan improves to 25-5 and Louisville drops to 16-13 on the season.
Michigan scored the only runs of the game in the first inning when Alessandra Giampaolo led off with a double, Samantha Findlay walked and both runners scored on Tiffany Worthy's two-out triple.
The Wolverines had runners in scoring position in the third inning when Findlay singled and Angela Findlay reached on a fielder's choice. A double steal placed runners on second and third with one out, but the Cardinal defense came up strong as Candi Hicks made a diving catch in shallow left field to hold the runners and Kristen Wadwell delivered a strike out to end the inning.
The Cards staved off another Michigan scoring threat in the fourth. This time, Roya St. Clair, Rebekah Milian and Giampaolo each singled to load the bases with one out. Wadwell got pinch hitter Angie Danis to foul out to third baseman Audrey Rendon for the second out of the inning. With two outs and the bases still loaded, Rendon fielded Samantha Findlay's sharply hit ball and beat Milan to the bag on the force out at third to end the inning.
Louisville had a chance to push some runs across in the top of the seventh, but could not capitalize. Kristi Cunningham reached on an error, Sarah Totten singled and Wadwell's base hit loaded the bases to start the inning. Michigan reliever Nikki Nemitz entered the game and retired the next three batters to preserve the shutout.
"We didn't start the game out aggressively, but we did pick it up as the game went on," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We had a great performance from Kristen Wadwell and solid defensive play kept us in the game and allowed us to have the opportunity to beat a strong Michigan team. Obviously we're disappointed that we didn't take advantage of that opportunity, but I'm proud of the way we played this weekend. This is the team we knew had when we started the season. I think we showed that we are capable of playing with anyone and if we continue to play this way, we'll be successful."
Lorilyn Wilson (15-3) got the win, allowing four hits and striking out eight in 6.0 innings. Nikki picked up her second save of the season, retiring all three batters she faced in the seventh to combine for the shutout. The Wolverines had eight hits in the game. Giampaolo went 2 for 4 with a double and a run and St. Clair went 2 for 3.
Kassie Stanfill (8-4) took the loss, allowing two earned runs on three hits in one inning. Wadwell was strong in relief, holding Michigan scoreless while giving up five hits and striking out two in five innings of work.
"I was happy to see freshman Kristen Wadwell step up while Catherine Bishop is out. Kristen did a tremendous job this weekend against some tough competition," said Pearsall.
Louisville (16-13) will play Missouri in single games Tuesday at 5 p.m. and Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Ulmer Stadium.
