Wolverines Use Long Ball to Power Past Wisconsin

Sunday, April 15

Madison, Wis.

1:00 PM CT

Michigan

27-11-1, 10-0

Wisconsin

24-18, 6-6

Wisconsin

Michigan

4/15/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

MADISON, Wis. -- The University of Michigan softball team drilled three home runs in a four-run third inning, which was more than enough support for Marie Barda (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale HS), who threw her second one-hit shutout of the week in an 8-0, six-inning win over 21st-ranked Wisconsin Sunday afternoon (April 15) at Goodman Softball Complex.

Sophomore Melinda Moulden (LaCrescenta, Calif./Crescenta Valley HS), who collected four RBI on the day, drilled a two-run home run down the leftfield line in between solo shots by Stefanie Volpe (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth Salem HS) and Rebecca Tune (Aloha, Ore./Jesuit HS) in the four-run third for the Wolverines (26-11-1, 9-0 Big Ten).

Barda hit the first batter she faced in the top of the first but settled down to retire nine of the next 10 batters, allowing just a leadoff walk in the third. Meanwhile, the Wolverines were threatening early and often offensively, stranding two runners in each of the first two innings. A pair of singles and subsequent stolen bases by Tune and sophomore centerfielder Meghan Doe (Tucson, Ariz./Sabino HS) put runners on second and third with two outs in the second, but Kelsey Kollen (Cerritos, Calif./Santa Ana Mater Dei HS) flied out to leftfield to end the threat.

Michigan, however, broke through in its half of the third. With one out, Volpe connected on her third home run of the season on a shot to rightfield. Freshman Monica Schock (Rialto, Calif./Eisenhower HS) followed with a double to rightfield and Schock's pinch runner, Lisa Mack (Saline, Mich./Saline HS), subsequently scored on Moulden's home run down the leftfield line. Tune then chased Badger starter Andrea Kirchberg for good with her second home run of the season, a shot over the fence in left-center. Relief pitcher Jennifer Cummings retired the next two Wolverines, but not before Michigan owned a commanding 4-0 lead.

That lead was even more commanding when considering Barda had allowed just four hits and zero earned runs in her last 15 innings coming into today's game. In addition, Barda, who had carried a no-hitter into the seventh vs. Central Michigan on Wednesday (April 11), was working on another no-hit bid through four innings.

Michigan opened up its lead in the bottom of the fourth after loading the bases with nobody out. Volpe was then hit by a pitch, scoring Doe, who had reached on a leadoff walk. After Schock hit into a fielder's choice that forced Kollen at the plate, Moulden drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring Melissa Taylor (Petersburg, Mich./Summerfield HS) and giving the Wolverines a 6-0 lead.

Barda's no-hit bid was broken up with one out in the fifth as Wisconsin catcher Nikki Starry singled into leftfield. Barda also hit her second batter of the day to put Badgers on first and second with two outs, but then induced a groundball to shortstop for the final out of the fifth. After Barda breezed through the sixth, Michigan ended the game with two runs in the bottom of the sixth, forcing the eight-run mercy rule.

A Wisconsin error, walk to Volpe and infield single by pinch hitter Courtney Betley (Corona, Calif./Santa Ana Mater Dei HS) again loaded the bases with nobody out. The stage was set for Moulden, who delivered her fourth RBI of the day with a single, scoring Taylor from third and leaving the bases juiced. Sophomore infielder Liz Elsner (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth Canton HS) pinch hit for Tune and promptly drilled a single into rightfield to score Volpe from third and end the game early.

The Wolverines next put their 15-game win streak and perfect Big Ten record on the line with a trip to Penn State on Friday (April 20, 2 p.m.) for a doubleheader. Michigan also travels to Ohio State for single games next Saturday (April 21, 2 p.m.) and Sunday (April 22, 1 p.m.) in Columbus, Ohio.

Diamond Gems

Melinda Moulden's four-RBI performance matches her career best, which she set March 25, 2000, as a freshman vs. Notre Dame.

Michigan's three-homer performance today is a team season best.

Michigan's win over the 21st-ranked Badgers is its fifth of the season over a ranked team. The Wolverines are 5-8 vs. ranked opposition this season.

Marie Barda finished the week with a 3-0 record and one save in four appearances, allowing zero earned runs and five hits in 21 innings of work. Barda also K'd 19 and walked six.

Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423