Big Innings, Solid Pitching Key U-M Win Over Dolphins

Friday, March 2

Jacksonville, Fla.

4:00 PM

Michigan

Virginia

Big Innings, Solid Pitching Key U-M Win Over Dolphins

3/2/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

By: Leah Howard

Site: Jacksonville, Fla. (JU Softball Complex)
Event: Jacksonville University Tournament
Scores: #13 Michigan vs. Virginia (postponed); #13 Michigan 9, Jacksonville University 0
Records: U-M (17-1), Jacksonville (3-15)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Mar. 3 -- vs. Virginia (4 p.m.), vs. Notre Dame (6 p.m.) at Jacksonville University Tournament (Jacksonville, Fla.)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- After rain washed out the day's earlier game against Virginia, the No. 13-ranked University of Michigan softball team used big innings and and a near-perfect performance from the pitching circle to cruise to 9-0, five-inning victory over host Jacksonville in its first game at the JU invitational on Friday evening (March 2) at the JU Softball Complex. The game against Virginia has been rescheduled for Sunday at 9 a.m.

Senior pitcher Lorilyn Wilson (Salem, Ore./Sprague HS) struck out 10 in four innings and allowed just one hit, a single in the third inning. Wilson combined for the shutout performance with sophomore Stacy Delaney (Freeland, Mich./Freeland HS), who entered the game in the fifth and retired three straight batters, striking out two, in her season debut.

The Wolverines established the early tempo and took the only advantage they would need with a pair of runs scored in the first frame. Junior Samantha Findlay (Lockport, Ill./East HS) ripped the game-winning RBI double to left-center in just the third at-bat of the game, scoring senior Rebekah Milian (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc HS) from second base. Junior Teddi Ewing (Olathe, Kan./East HS) popped a sacrifice to rightfield, and, after an error by the Dolphin outfielder, Findlay scored from second.

After Wilson struck out the side in the bottom half of the inning, Michigan took advantage of its next trip to the plate with another three runs. With two out and runners on second and third, Milian drilled an RBI single to shortstop to score freshman Angela Findlay (Lockport, Ill./East HS), and, two at-bats later, senior Tiffany Worthy (Yorba Linda, Calif./Lutheran HS) knocked a single up the middle to score two and give the Wolverines a five-run cushion.

Michigan's big innings grew sequentially larger as the game progressed as U-M picked up four more tallies in the top of the fifth to lock up the necessary run-rule advantage. With two runners on, sophomore Allison Kidman (Tarpon Springs, Fla./Countryside HS) rocketed her first career triple to left-center, scoring freshman Maggie Viefhaus (Eureka, Mo./Eureka HS) and junior Angie Danis (Manchester, Mo./Parkway West HS). The Wolverines earned another run in each of the subsequent at-bats with RBI singles from Angela Findlay and junior Michelle Weatherdon (Marquette, Mich./Marquette HS).

The Wolverines will continue action at the JU Invitational tomorrow (Saturday, March 3) with games against Virginia (4 p.m.) and Notre Dame (6 p.m.). Both contests will be held at the JU Softball Complex in Jacksonville, Fla.