Pacific Upends Michigan in Eight-Inning Thriller

Saturday, February 19

Poway, Calif.

10:30 AM PT

Michigan

2-1-1

Pacific

3-2

Michigan

Pacific

2/19/2000 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

POWAY, Calif. -- The No. 6-ranked University of Michigan softball team suffered its first loss of the season, dropping a 1-0, eight-inning game to Pacific on Saturday morning (Feb. 19) in third-day action at the Campbell/Cartier Classic. Pacific (8-5) scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth on Estee Ke'ala Okumura's two-out triple down the rightfield line that scored Kelly Lowry, who had reached on a single.

The Wolverines (3-1) had no trouble producing offense against the Tigers -- Michigan scattered seven singles and a double -- but were unable to push any runners across the plate, stranding players on base at the close of each inning. Michigan's best scoring chance came in the fourth when it left runners at first and second base. Freshmen Marissa Young (Santa Ana, Calif./Mater Dei HS) and Melinda Moulden (LaCrescenta, Calif./Crescenta Valley HS) led U-M with 2-for-3 days at the plate, with Moulden recording the lone extra-base hit.

Junior pitcher Marie Barda (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale South HS) went the distance for Michigan, allowing nine hits and a walk while collecting five strikeouts. Barda's record dropped to 1-1 while Liz Niadna posted the win for the Tigers.

Michigan faces No. 15 Long Beach State at 8:30 p.m. PST Saturday, then closes its Campbell/Cartier Classic appearance against Sacramento State Sunday morning (Feb. 20, 9:30 a.m. PST).

Maize 'n Blue Diamond Gems

Michigan recorded its first error of the new season in the loss to Pacific . . . The Tigers extended their all-time lead in the softball series vs. Michigan to 3-1 . . . The Wolverines are now 1-1 in extra inning games this season.

Contact: Amy Carlton (734) 763-4423