Michigan Splits One-Run Games at UNLV Desert Classic

Saturday, February 14

Las Vegas, Nev.

11:00 AM PT

Michigan

2-1

Nebraska

2-1

Nebraska

Michigan

2/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Site: Las Vegas, Nev. (Eller Media Stadium)
Event: UNLV Tournament
Scores: #8 Nebraska 5, #10 Michigan 4; #10 Michigan 2, Nevada-Las Vegas 1
Records: U-M (3-1)
Next U-M Game: Sunday, Feb. 15 -- vs. UCLA at UNLV Tournament (Las Vegas, Nev.), 10 a.m. PST

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- The University of Michigan softball team split a pair of one-run games today (Saturday, Feb. 14) at the UNLV Desert Classic. No. 10-ranked Michigan put together late rallies in both the sixth and seventh innings vs. eighth-ranked Nebraska in its first game today but could not overcome 11 runners left on base in a 5-4 loss to the Cornhuskers. The Wolverines, however, rebounded in their second and final game of the day behind a second straight strong start from sophomore hurler Jennie Ritter (Dexter, Mich./Dexter HS) in a 2-1 comeback victory over host UNLV.

Jessica Merchant (Wayland, Mich./Wayland HS) highlighted the Wolverines offensive effort vs. Nebraska, drilling two home runs, including a two-run shot in the bottom of the seventh that pulled the Maize and Blue within one.

Michigan was fighting from behind the entire contest against Nebraska. Both teams scored in the first frame, with Michigan answering the Huskers score in the top of the frame with a solo shot from Merchant. Nebraska broke the tie with a two-run third that was started by a Merchant error. Nebraska took advantage of the miscue with three straight hits off starter Nicole Motycka (Sarasota, Fla./Cardinal Mooney HS) for a 3-1 lead.

The Huskers extended the lead in the sixth with two more runs charged to Motycka. After the Wolverine starter allowed hits to three of the first four batters she faced, Michigan freshman pitcher Lorilyn Wilson (Salem, Ore./Sprague HS) came out of the bullpen to make her Michigan debut. Wilson got the final two outs, but a wild pitch allowed Nebraska to take a commanding 5-1 lead.

Michigan would not go away, however, scoring once in the sixth on a two-out single up the middle from Michelle Teschler (Casco, Mich./Richmond HS) and loading the bases before a line shot of the bat off Tiffany Haas (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill HS) found the glove of the Nebraska centerfielder. Michigan again loaded the bases in the seventh after Merchant's two-run shot cut the lead to one (5-4), but Courtney Betley (Corona, Calif./Santa Ana Mater Dei HS) popped up to short for the final out.

Michigan also waited until late in the game against UNLV, but this time made the most of some clutch hitting and got a big break with a seventh-inning Rebel error. Ritter put together another dominant performance, allowing just a two-out solo home run in the fourth while striking out six.

It appeared that solo shot would hold up until the seventh, when Jennifer Olds (North Palm Beach, Fla./Suncoast HS) led off the inning with her second hit of the game. After a sacrifice, Teschler scored pinch-runner Stephanie Bercaw (Wooster, Ohio/Hillsdale HS) from second on a single and moved up to second herself when the throw went through to home plate. Extra innings looked inevitable after a popout, but Haas' groundball to the shortstop resulted in an errant throw, which scored Teschler from second for the game-winning run.

Ritter allowed a leadoff walk in the bottom of the seventh, her fourth of the game, but set down the next three Rebels in order for the win.

Michigan closes out its five-game, round-robin tournament schedule tomorrow against top-ranked UCLA (10 a.m. PST).

N O T E S

Jessica Merchant, who hit five home runs all of last season, hit three in her first three games this season.

Michigan is 1-1 vs. ranked teams.

Michelle Teschler, Jennifer Olds and Tiffany Haas each have hit safely in Michigan's four games.

Jennie Ritter has 12 strikeouts in her first two starts this season.