U-M Wins Showdown with OSU, Extends Streak to 18

Saturday, April 21

Columbus, Ohio

2:00 PM

Michigan

30-11-1, 13-0

Ohio State

35-13, 9-4

Michigan

Ohio State

4/21/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The 24th-ranked University of Michigan softball team ran its win streak to 18 games by pulling out a 2-1 victory over second-place Ohio State Saturday afternoon (April 21) at Buckeye Field. Marissa Young (Santa Ana, Calif./Mater Dei HS) allowed just four hits and zero earned runs in 5 1/3 innings for her 10th straight win, while the sophomore hurler also drove in what turned out to be the winning run with a one-out single in the sixth.

Much like what would be expected in a battle of the first-place Wolverines vs. the second-place Buckeyes, today's contest quickly evolved into a pitchers' duel. The Wolverine bats were silent through the first four innings as Michigan failed to advance a runner past second base. Michigan's only hits through the first five innings both came off the bat of sophomore Melinda Moulden (LaCrescenta, Calif./Crescenta Valley HS). Moulden delivered a leadoff single in the second but did not get past second base, and she also doubled with two outs in the fourth but was stranded there after Rebecca Tune (Aloha, Ore./Jesuit HS) fouled out to leftfield.

Ohio State had the best scoring opportunity in the first five innings, loading the bases with one out in the third. Following a pair of singles and a hit batsman, the Buckeyes threatened to draw first blood off Michigan starter Young. Michigan, however, pulled off a quick double play on a line drive to third baseman Stefanie Volpe (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth Salem HS), who stepped on the bag to catch the Buckeye runner off third. Michigan sophomore centerfielder Meghan Doe (Tucson, Ariz./Sabino HS) reached on an error in the fifth and advanced to third with two outs, but was gunned down at home on a groundball off the bat of Melissa Taylor (Petersburg, Mich./Summerfield HS).

The Wolverines (30-11-1, 13-0 Big Ten) finally broke through in the sixth, thanks in part to a key error by the Buckeyes. Volpe led off with a single and advanced to second after Monica Schock (Rialto, Calif./Eisenhower HS) reached on an error, putting runners on first and second with nobody out. Moulden was caught looking for the first out, but Tune redeemed herself with an RBI single to leftfield, scoring Volpe and giving the Wolverines a 1-0 lead. Young then stepped up and helped her own cause with a base hit to right-center, which scored pinch runner Mary Conner (Lake Orion, Mich./Lake Orion HS) from second base for a 2-0 Michigan advantage.

Ohio State came right back in its half of the sixth, shaving the Wolverine lead in half. Young allowed a leadoff walk and that runner advanced to third on an Ohio State sacrifice and Michigan error in the same play. A Buckeye single to leftfield scored the runner from third and chased Young from the circle in favor of Marie Barda (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale HS). Barda got the next batter on a sacrifice bunt, which put the tying run in scoring position with two outs, and closed out the inning with a strikeout. Barda then got the Buckeyes 1-2-3 in the seventh for her second save of the season and Michigan's 13th straight Big Ten win to open the season.

The Wolverines look for their 19th win in a row and 14th straight in Big Ten play tomorrow (Sunday, April 22) with a 1 p.m. single game against Ohio State at Buckeye Field in Columbus, Ohio.

Diamond Gems

Michigan's 18 straight wins is the third-best win streak in school history. The 1993 Wolverines won 22 straight, while the 1995 Michigan team won 19 consecutive tilts.

Michigan's 13-0 start to Big Ten play is the second-best start by a Michigan team, surpassing the 12-0 start by the 1998 squad. The 1999 team won its first 16 conference games.

Michigan has now won 16 straight over Ohio State, dating back to the second game of a doubleheader on May 3, 1995.

Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423