Wilson, Findlays Salvage Doubleheader Split at CMU

Tuesday, April 17

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

2:00 PM

Michigan

32-8

Central Michigan

13-15

Michigan

Central Michigan

4/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Site: Mount Pleasant, Mich. (CMU Softball Complex)
Score: #9 Michigan 8, Central Michigan 1; Central Michigan 6, #9 Michigan 3 
Records: U-M (33-8), CMU (13-16)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Apr. 20 -- at Purdue (West Lafayette, Ind.), 3:00 p.m.

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- The No. 9-ranked University of Michigan softball team experienced a reversal of fortune in its doubleheader showdown at Central Michigan on Tuesday (April 17), splitting the series, 3-6 and 8-1, at the CMU Softball Complex.

Big innings played a significant role in both games. The Chippewas gained an insurmountable lead in the first slate with a five-run third inning, and Michigan spread six across the third and fourth frames to do the same in the nightcap.

Senior pitcher Lorilyn Wilson (Salem, Ore./Sprague HS) went the distance in game two and -- after giving up a pair of walks in the opening frame -- sruck out eight en route to a complete-game two-hitter. Wilson grew stronger as the game progressed and retired 11 straight batters to end the contest -- five of which came by way of strikeout. Freshman Nikki Nemitz (St. Clair Shores, Mich./Regina HS) never found rhythm in the first game, giving up six runs on five hits -- all but one of each came in the third frame -- through four innings of work.

Freshman Angela Findlay (Lockport, Ill./East HS) headlined the Wolverines' offensive efforts, going 4-for-7 on the day with four RBI. She combined with her sister, junior Samantha Findlay (Lockport, Ill./East HS), who tallied her fourth home run over a week's time, to bring in five runs in the nightcap. Senior Rebekah Milian (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc HS) also excelled at the plate, batting three-for-five with several sacrifice hits.

Michigan used its second rotation to find the scoreboard in game two, taking advantage of a slow CMU start in the third to score a pair of runs. After junior Alessandra Giampaolo (Pasadena, Calif./Polytechnic HS) and Milian reached base on a walk and a Chippewa error, the Findlay sisters recorded back-to-back RBI singles to give the Wolverines the only lead they would need.

Central Michigan would cut the gap in the bottom half of the inning with an unearned run as a result of a passed ball, but U-M responded with an offensive onslaught -- three hits and four runs -- in the fourth to gain the commanding advantage. Freshman Molly Bausher (Las Vegas, Nev./Spring Valley HS) led off the inning with a single to third base and, after stealing second and advancing on a fielder's choice, came home on another Chippewa error. Milian singled in following at-bat to load up the bases, if only briefly, as Angela Findlay ripped a double down the leftfield line two batters later to bring home a pair of runs. Milian came home herself when senior Tiffany Worthy (Yorba Linda, Calif./Lutheran HS) sailed a sacrifice fly, which would turn into a double play, to leftfield.

U-M added runs in the subsequent two frames as freshman Maggie Viefhaus (Eureka, Mo./Eureka HS) sent an RBI single to centerfield to score Bausher, who reached in response to another CMU error, and Samantha Findlay drilled a solo shot over the leftfield fence to lead off the sixth.

In the earlier game, it was Central Michigan who would secure the definite lead in the third frame after manufacturing five runs on four hits and a pair of hit batsmen. Nemitz earned two outs in the opening three at-bats but hit two Chippewa batters and gave up an RBI single in the following three at-bats to load up the bases. CMU rightfielder Christina Novak tagged a hard double to leftfield to score three and was brought home herself in the subsequent at-bat when first baseman Kari Seddon took a double down the rightfield line.

Michigan scored runs in three of the closing four frames but could not overcome the deficit. Sophomore Teddi Ewing (Olathe, Kan./East HS) drove in two of the U-M tallies with an RBI single in the fourth and an RBI double to right center in the sixth. Ewing was hit by a pitch in the seventh inning to load up the bases with one out, but Central Michigan rung up back-to-back strikeouts to end the scoring threat.

The Wolverines will remain on the road next weekend for back-to-back Big Ten Conference series. U-M will travel to West Lafayette, Ind., for 3 p.m. games against Purdue on Friday (April 20) and Saturday (April 21) before wrapping up the road swing with a noon doubleheader against Indiana in Bloomington, Ind.

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423