Michigan Drops Two One-Run Decisions at GRU Classic

Saturday, February 18

Gainesville, Fla.

4:00 PM

Michigan

2-1

Florida

6-3

Michigan

Florida

2/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The top-ranked University of Michigan softball team lost back-to-back games for the first time since the 2004 season, losing 3-2 to Florida and 1-0 to Penn State Saturday (Feb. 18) at the GRU Classic.

Michigan led Florida 2-0 in the bottom of the seventh only to see the Gators mount a three-run comeback and win on a walkoff single. The Wolverines turned around and faced the Nittany Lions, falling behind 1-0 in the second inning and managing just five hits in the game to fall to 2-2 on the season.

Senior Jennie Ritter (Dexter, Mich./Dexter) earned the start against Florida and recorded 11 strikeouts through six innings before junior Lorilyn Wilson (Salem, Ore./Sprague) came into the game in relief and ended up with the loss. Wilson started against Penn State, allowing four hits and striking out six but picking up her second loss in a row. Wilson falls to 1-2 on the season, posting back-to-back losses for the first time in her collegiate career.

Sophomore Alessandra Giampaolo (Pasadena, Calif./Polytechnic) was a lone bright spot on the offense, going 3-for-5 on the day with two RBI, one double and a walk.

Against Florida, neither team's offense could get on track until the sixth and seventh innings with Ritter dominating the Gators through five with 11 strikeouts while giving up just three hits. Giampaolo's two-RBI double in the sixth gave Michigan a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh, but a Wolverine error to lead off the inning, two walks and a timely two-out hit for Florida gave the home team an upset win.

Michigan struck for two runs in the sixth with Giampaolo's two-out double to leftfield scoring senior Tiffany Haas (North Tustin, Calif./Foothill) from second and sophomore Samantha Findlay (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) all the way from first to break the scoreless deadlock. Haas beat out an infield single with one out to begin the inning and advanced to second when junior Rebekah Milian (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) grounded out in the next at-bat. Florida intentionally walked Findlay, and Giampaolo took the first pitch to leftfield for her second hit of the game.

With Michigan up 2-0 in the bottom of the seventh, leadoff batter Kim Waleszonia reached on an error by senior Grace Leutele (Sierra Vista, Ariz./Buena) and Ritter walked the next batter to put two on with no out. Wilson entered the game in relief and struck out Lacy Howard for the first out of the inning. Lauren Roussel worked the count full and drew a walk in the next at-bat, loading the bases with one out. Pinch-hitter Lindsey Littlejohn grounded out to Haas and drove in a run to put runners on second and third with two out and Michigan ahead 2-1. UF leadoff batter Lindsey Cameron worked the count full and singled to leftfield, scoring two runs and sealing the come-from-behind victory for Florida.

Michigan managed just five hits against Penn State, including three in a wild third inning, but the Wolverines could not put a run across the plate. The Nittany Lions didn't fare much better with just four hits in the game, but they capitalized on a passed ball and a stolen base in the second to score the only run of the game. Wilson walked the leadoff batter in the second inning, and she advanced to second on a passed ball, stole third and was singled home to give Penn State a 1-0 lead.

The Wolverines threatened in the fifth with the bases loaded, one out and Haas at the plate. Penn State brought Missy Beseres into the game in relief and she induced Hass into a dribbler up the middle and a force at home for the second out. Milian stepped to the plate with a chance to tie the game and worked the count to two balls and two strikes before swinging for strike three to end the inning. Beseres held Michigan hitless through the final two innings, only giving up a walk to Giampaolo.

Michigan wraps up play at the GRU Classic with a rematch against the host Florida Gators on Sunday (Feb. 19) at 11:15 a.m.

N O T E S

Michigan did not lose back-to-back games during the 2005 season. Twice in 2004 the Wolverines dropped back-to-back contests. The last time Michigan lost three in a row was during the 2001 season.

Junior pitcher Lorilyn Wilson (1-2) had never recorded back-to-back losses in her collegiate career until Saturday. Wilson had made 49 prior appearances without back-to-back losses, posting a career record of 31-2 until Saturday. Wilson's career record now stands at 31-4.

Senior Tiffany Haas made her 200th collegiate start in the game against Penn State.

Senior Jennie Ritter moved into eighth place on Michigan's all-time list for most innings pitched, totaling 579.1 innings in her career. Ritter passed Nicole Motycka (2002-05).

Junior Lorilyn Wilson made the 50th and 51st appearances of her career Saturday.

Sophomore Alessandra Giampaolo has at least one hit in all four games this season, extending her hitting streak to a team-best six games dating back to the 2005 season.

Contact: Richard Retyi (734) 763-4423