Wolverine Bats Erupt at Boilermaker Invitational

Saturday, March 24

West Lafayette, Ind.

11:00 AM

Michigan

10-9

Toledo

10-6

Michigan

Toledo

3/24/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Site: West Lafayette, Ind.
Event: Purdue Boilermaker Invitational
Results: #24 Michigan 11, Toledo 5; #24 Michigan 7, Butler 3
Records: U-M (11-9)
Next U-M Games: Sunday, March 25 -- vs. Loyola (11 a.m.), Bracket Playoffs (1 p.m.) at Boilermaker Invitational (West Lafayette, Ind.)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The 24th-ranked University of Michigan softball team won its first two games at the Boilermaker Invitational today (Saturday, March 24) with wins over Toledo (11-5) and Butler (7-3). Senior outfielder Melissa Taylor (Petersburg, Mich./Summerfield HS), who collected six hits in the two wins, paced a Michigan offensive attack that pounded out 24 hits -- 12 in each game -- on the day.

Michigan opened it up early in its win of the day as the Maize and Blue scored six runs in the top of the first en route to the 11-5 win over Toledo. The big blow in the inning came on a two-out grand slam home run off the bat of freshman infielder Angie Churchill (Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way HS). The Wolverines had already plated two that inning on a double to centerfield by sophomore first baseman Melinda Moulden (LaCrescenta, Calif./Crescenta Valley HS).

The six-run first was all the Wolverines would need as senior hurler Marie Barda (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale South HS) allowed just two earned runs over six innings in gaining her fourth win of the season. Taylor continued her torrid hitting, going 3-5 and scoring a pair of runs.

Michigan's 12-hit, seven-run performance in its second game of the day was more than enough for sophomore thrower Marissa Young (Santa Ana, Calif./Mater Dei HS), who earned her sixth win of the season in the Wolverines' 7-3 victory over Butler. Young struck out eight and walked just one as she carried a three-hit shutout for 6 2/3 innings before giving up a three-run homer with two outs in the seventh. Taylor once again delivered three hits, including an RBI single in the third that scored leadoff hitter Kelsey Kollen (Cerritos, Calif./Santa Ana Mater Dei HS) to put the Wolverines on top 1-0.

Michigan opened up its lead in the fifth, and again it was the long ball that got it done for the Maize and Blue. Taylor and Kollen set the table at the top of the order with consecutive singles and this time it was Moulden that brought them home with a three-run shot. The home run was Moulden's team-leading fourth of the season. The Wolverines garnered three insurance runs in the top of the seventh as Rebecca Tune (Aloha, Ore./Jesuit HS) drove in Taylor, who reached on a bunt single, with her third hit of the game for one of the Michigan runs. Tune's three-hit performance was her second of the season and first since going 3-3 vs. Sacramento State on Feb. 16.

Michigan will look for its fifth straight Boilermaker Invitational title Sunday (March 24). The Wolverines close out pool play vs. Loyola (Ill.) at 11 a.m., before competing in the bracket playoffs, which begin at 1 p.m.

Diamond Gems

Michigan has now won 16 straight games at the Boilermaker Invitational and is 17-1 all-time at the tournament.

Michigan head coach Carol Hutchins will coach in her 1,000th career game when the Wolverines face Loyola tomorrow. Hutchins has a career mark of 695-301-3 in 17-plus seasons of coaching, including a 672-290-3 record in her 16-plus seasons at the helm of the Wolverines.

Michigan's two 12-hit performances today tied its season-best output.

Melissa Taylor has now registered at least three hits in five of her last eight games.

Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423