Wolverines Open Title Defense with Win Over Lions

Thursday, May 10

Ann Arbor, Mich.

5:00 PM

Michigan

38-14-1

Penn State

31-25

Penn State

Michigan

5/10/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 21-ranked University of Michigan softball team turned a Penn State error into two unearned runs in the second inning and held on for a 2-0 victory in its Big Ten Conference Tournament opener Thursday (May 10) at Alumni Field. The two runs were all Wolverine pitcher Marissa Young (Santa Ana, Calif./Mater Dei HS) needed as she recorded six strikeouts and allowed just four hits while collecting her 20th win of the season.

Young also was at the focal point of Michigan's winning rally in the second inning. Monica Schock (Rialto, Calif./Eisenhower HS) and Melinda Molden (LaCrescenta, Calif./LaCrescenta Valley HS) led off the inning with back-to-back singles and moved up a base on Rebecca Tune's (Aloha, Ore./Jesuit HS) sacrifice bunt. Young then drilled a shot back at pitcher Marisa Hanson, who stopped the ball but then fired it past the first baseman, allowing pinch-runner Mary Conner (Lake Orion, Mich./Lake Orion HS) and Moulden to score.

Meghan Doe (Tucson, Ariz./Sabino HS) and Kelsey Kollen (Cerritos, Calif./Santa Ana Mater Dei HS) also had singles in the inning and Melissa Taylor (Petersburg, Mich./Summerfield HS) reached on a fielder's choice, but the Nittany Lions were able to get out of the inning, leaving the bases loaded with Wolverines.

In each of the first two innings, Penn State got its leadoff hitter on base and advanced her to second base with a sacrifice bunt, but the Nittany Lions were unable to get the key hit either time. Penn State stranded five runners in the contest.

In the top of the seventh with two outs, Penn State's Adrienne Manzo reached on an error by the Wolverines, but Young got Colleen Kersey to fly out to seal the 2-0 victory for U-M.

Michigan will play Iowa in semifinal action tomorrow (Friday, May 11) at 2:30 p.m., while Penn State takes on Ohio State in an elimination game at noon.

Diamond Gems

Marissa Young recorded her third straight shutout in Big Ten Tournament play. Young has shutout opponents for 21 scoreless inning in three Big Ten Championships starts.

Young is the eighth individual in Michigan school history to reach 20 pitching wins in a season. Her 20 victories put her in a tie for ninth among U-M's single-season leaders.

U-M's win over Penn State was head coach Carol Hutchins' 699th career win at Michigan.

Q U O T E S

U-M Head Coach Carol Hutchins
On the game ... "I was happy to get the win. It wasn't a very exciting game but it was tough for both teams. Our defense played well and has been solid all year. I was also pleased with our effort. Even though we made that error we did not let it affect us."

Penn State Head Coach Robin Pitrini
On the game ... "I was happy with how this team played all day. U-M is good and one mistake will hurt you in this tournament."

U-M Sophomore Pitcher Marissa Young
On if she feels pressure when the team isn't scoring runs ... "No, I really don't feel the pressure. My job is to play defense and that is the job of my teammates as well. I really feel like the pressure is on the other team because we have such consistent team defense."

Penn State Pitcher Marisa Hanson
On her error ... "The ball got behind me; it was just one of those plays."

Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423