Wolverines Split 1-0 Games at NFCA Leadoff Classic

Saturday, February 24

Columbus, Ga.

12:30 PM

Michigan

4-5

Missouri

5-8

Missouri

Michigan

2/24/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Site: Columbus, Ga. (South Commons Complex)
Event: NFCA Leadoff Classic (Day 2)
Results: #18 Michigan 1, Missouri 0; #4 Alabama 1, #18 Michigan 0
Records: U-M (4-6)
Next U-M Game: Sunday, Feb. 25 -- vs. #6 Louisiana State at NFCA Leadoff Classic (Columbus, Ga.), 9 a.m.

COLUMBUS, Ga. -- The No. 18th-ranked University of Michigan softball team split a pair of games on Saturday (Feb. 24) for day two of the NFCA Leadoff Classic. The Wolverines started the day with a 1-0 victory over Missouri to end pool play but dropped a tough 1-0, eight-inning decision to No. 4-ranked Alabama in the first round of the Gold (championship) bracket.

Marie Barda (Darien, Ill./ Hinsdale South HS) went the distance against Missouri to pick up her first win of the season. Barda allowed only two hits and had eight strikeouts for the complete game. The Wolverines got the only run they needed on Melinda Moulden's (LaCrescenta, Calif./Crescenta Valley HS) one-out bomb, her second on the season, in the fourth inning.

Michigan's win over Missouri gave the Wolverines a tie for first place in their pool with Fresno State, and U-M earned a spot in the Gold bracket based on its head-to-head win over the Bulldogs.

In the Gold bracket first round against Alabama, the Wolverines received a tremendous pitching performance from Marissa Young (Santa Ana, Calif./Mater Dei HS) but could not push across a run. Young took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and only allowed one hit, but the Crimson Tide took advantage of the international tie-breaker (runner placed on second to start extra innings) and scored on a sacrifice and wild pitch in the eighth.

The Wolverines had opportunities to score in the third, fifth, sixth and seventh innings when they had a runner on second but could not get the key hit. Michigan had one last crack at scoring in bottom half of the eighth, with a runner placed on second to start the inning. But after a flyout moved the runner to third, Alabama got two foul popups to hang on for the win.

Michigan (4-6) heads to the field again Sunday morning (Feb. 25) to take on No. 6 Louisiana State at 9 a.m. A win would put the Wolverines in the 2 p.m. consolation championship game.

Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423