Motycka Dominates as Wolverines Blank Virginia Tech

Friday, February 27

Columbus, Ga.

2:30 PM

Michigan

11-3

Virginia Tech

6-2

Virginia Tech

Michigan

2/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

COLUMBUS, Ga. -- The seventh-ranked University of Michigan softball team ran its record in pool play to 2-0 at the NFCA Leadoff Classic Friday afternoon (Feb. 27) with a 3-0 win over Virginia Tech. Junior hurler Nicole Motycka (Sarasota, Fla./Cardinal Mooney HS) tossed one of the best games of her career, scattering three this while striking out seven without issuing a walk. Senior Jennifer Olds (North Palm Beach, Fla./Suncoast HS) hit her third home run of the season and second in as many games for the game-winner in the fourth as the Wolverines upped their season record to 11-3.

The Wolverines close out pool play tomorrow (Feb. 28, 10 a.m.) against Georgia Tech and with a win would clinch first place on Pool 1, which would advance the Wolverines into Saturday's Gold Championship bracket.

Neither team produced much of an offensive threat through the first three innings, with the Wolveirnes' only baserunner coming when Jessica Merchant (Wayland, Mich./Wayland HS) drew a two-out walk in the first and stole second. The Hokies only managed a pair of two-out singles in the second and third frames.

Just as she did in the win over No. 14 Nebraska earlier today, Olds broke a scoreless tie with a solo shot. This time Olds connected with two outs in the fourth for what would eventually be the game-winner. The Wolverines did add insurance runs in the fifth and sixth with senior catcher Monica Schock (Rialto, Calif./Eisenhower HS) playing a key role on both occasions.

Schock, who did not play against Nebraska and entered today hitting just .120 for the season, led off with a single in the fifth and eventually scored on a triple by Angie Churchill (Mokena, Ill./Linclon-Way HS). Schock then capped off what might be her breakout game this season with a two-out, run-scoring double in the seventh for the final 3-0 margin.

Motycka set down 11 straight after allowing a two-out single in the third before giving her third and final hit with one out in the seventh. She upped her season mark to 5-2.

N O T E S

Jennifer Olds, who has started all 14 games for the Wolverines this season, has hit safely in 12 of 14 games this season and is hitting a team-best .410.

Nicole Motycka now has a 29-4 K-BB ratio in 37 innings of work.

Monica Schock's two hits give the senior her first multi-hit game of the season.

Angie Churchill's triple is the first of the season for a Wolverine.

Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423