Michigan Wins 13-Inning Marathon Over South Florida

Friday, May 18

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

5:00 PM CT

Michigan

41-15-1

South Florida

42-33

Michigan

South Florida

5/18/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

3717TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The 21st-ranked University of Michigan softball team is maybe the hardest working team 17-year head coach Carol Hutchins has had and today was a testament of that as the Wolverines gutted out a 6-2 win over South Florida in 13 innings tonight (Friday, May 18) in NCAA Regional action at the Alabama Softball Complex. Senior Marie Barda (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale HS) threw 8 1/3 innings of shutout ball out of the bullpen, while Kelsey Kollen (Cerritos, Calif./Santa Ana Mater Dei HS) went 4-7 and scored the winning run in a game that ended up matching the fourth longest in Michigan history.

While the Wolverines scored a run in the bottom of the first yesterday in the 1-0 win over Chattanooga, today it was South Florida jumping out to the 1-0 lead after scoring in its first at bat. The Bulls, however, almost ran themselves out of that first-inning run when second baseman Nikki Phillips, who had reached on a one-out single, was caught a little too far off of first by Michigan catcher Kim Bugel (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest HS). Phillips reacted by taking off for second and the relay from Michigan second baseman Kollen hit her in the back, allowing Phillips to arrive safely. After a single put runners on the corners, cleanup hitter Courtney Lewellen hit a groundball to third base and with Phillips leaving for the plate on contact, Michigan third sacker Stefanie Volpe (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth Salem HS) bobbled the grounder to allow Phillips to score. Young shook off the early Michigan struggles to retire the next two batters and get out of the first without further damage.

The Wolverines, who mustered up just four hits yesterday, continued their struggles at the plate as the first eight hitters went down in order before speedy centerfielder Meghan Doe (Tucson, Ariz./Sabino HS) caused a throwing error by South Florida with two outs in the third. Michigan made the most of the South Florida mistake as back-to-back singles from Kollen and Taylor ensued, with Taylor's single through the right side plating Doe from second.

The third-inning rally seemed to loosen up the Wolverines and freshman Monica Schock (Rialto, Calif./Eisenhower HS), who delivered the game-winning double yesterday, kept the momentum going as she drilled the first home run of her career over the fence in rightfield to lead off the Wolverine fourth.

While the Wolverine hitters began to figure out South Florida starter Jamie Peterka, Young appeared to be settling in and set down the first two hitters of the fifth on strikes, but back-to-back doubles by Phillips and Renee Oursler tied the game back up at 2-2. A wild pitch and walk followed for Young, which prompted Hutchins to signal for Barda out of the bullpen with two outs and runners on the corners. Barda responded by getting the final out of the fifth as her first pitch was grounded to Kollen at second base.

That out began a marathon of seven straight innings of scoreless softball as both sides enjoyed several scoring opportunities over the next seven innings but failed to cash in as solid pitching and clutch defense took over. Michigan put the leadoff runner on in four of those seven innings and left 11 runners on base in the sixth through the 12th. South Florida also had some opportunities, although not as many as the Wolverines, to end the game earlier. Barda loaded the bases on two walks and a hit batsman, her 17th of the season, in the seventh but came up with the big pitch yet again and induced a pop-out to Kollen at second base.

From that point it was Michigan constantly knocking on the door and the Wolverines finally broke that door down in the top of the 13th. As usual it was Kollen and Taylor setting the table with back-to-back singles to open the inning. That set the stage for Volpe, who had been robbed of a couple hits already in this tournament. Not this time, however, as the junior third baseman drilled a shot over the rightfielder to score both Taylor and Volpe for a 4-2 Michigan lead. South Florida then intentionally walked Schock and Rebecca Tune (Aloha, Ore./Jesuit HS), but that backfired after a single down the leftfield line by Young scored Schock and Volpe for added insurance.

Barda allowed just one runner in the 13th as she closed out her 19th win of the season and helped the Wolverines advance to the finals of the winner's bracket to play the winner of the Alabama-Oregon State contest tomorrow (Saturday, May 19) at 2:30 p.m. CDT.

Q U O T E S

Head Coach Carol Hutchins
On the win overall ... "I could not be prouder of these kids and for them to hang on and win this game is a testament to them. We know the games at this level are going to be this tough so we were ready for it."

On Marie Barda's performance ... "Marie Barda has been our leader this weekend and has come in and just got the job done. She has been wonderful and I don't know where we would be without her."

Diamond Gems

The 13-inning game is the longest of the season for the Wolverines and matches the 13-inning win over Minnesota on April 4, 1993, as the fourth longest game in Michigan history.

The Wolverines are now 4-3 this season in extra inning games. Tonight's game was Michigan's first extra-inning NCAA Regional game since a 3-1 loss to Central Michigan in 1997 at Alumni Field.

The 4-hour, 16-minute contest is the longest of the 2001 NCAA Tournament.

Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423