Michigan Eliminated from Big Ten Tourney by Spartans

Thursday, May 13

Ann Arbor, Mich.

7:30 PM

Michigan

50-10

Michigan State

32-24

Michigan State

Michigan

5/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The sixth-ranked University of Michigan softball team suffered a heartbreaking 5-1 loss to Michigan State tonight (Thursday, May 13) in the quarterfinal round of the Big Ten Tournament at Alumni Field. With the tournament shifting to a single-elimination format this year, the host and top-seeded Wolverines (50-10) were knocked out of tournament action.

Nicole Motycka (Sarasota, Fla./Cardinal Mooney HS) (20-4) took the loss for the Wolverines, going four innings and giving up five runs (one earned) on five hits. Jennie Ritter (Dexter, Mich./Dexter HS) came on in relief in the top of the fifth and was able to hold MSU to just two hits in three innings, handing out five strikeouts.

On the offensive side, Michigan's seven hits were well dispersed among the players with six different Wolverines getting at least one knock. Monica Schock (Rialto, Calif./Eisenhower HS) connected for multiple hits, going 2-for-3.

After the game's start was delayed an hour and 20 minutes by rain, the contest began with the Wolverines putting up the first run in the bottom of the first. Motycka helped herself out with an RBI single to leftfield to bring home Tiffany Haas (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill HS). Motycka went back out to the mound to continue her good performance against the Spartans. She was perfect through three before MSU's fourth inning shifted the momentum of the game.

The No. 8-seeded Spartans were able to take the lead in the bottom of the fourth with four unearned runs. With two out, MSU took advantage of a Michigan error to keep the inning alive and connect for an RBI single and a monstrous home run to left-center for a 4-1 lead over the Wolverines. The Spartans added another run in the bottom of the fifth to complete the scoring.

Although the Wolverines made every attempt to come back and chip away at the Spartan lead, MSU stood strong and kept Michigan at bay. The Maize and Blue matched its opponent in hits with seven but was unable to connect for the key knocks that would turn the game around.

The Big Ten Tournament continues tomorrow (May 14) at Alumni Field with two quarterfinal games beginning at noon followed by the semifinals starting at 5 p.m. Michigan will pick up play again next weekend when it hosts NCAA Regional action beginning Thursday (May 20).

Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423