Wolverines Use Big Innings to Claim Two Wins in Texas

Friday, February 15

Austin, Texas

11:00 AM CT

Michigan

5-1

Cal State Fullerton

3-2

Cal State Fullerton

Michigan

Wolverines Use Big Innings to Claim Two Wins in Texas

2/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Site: Austin, Texas (McCombs Field)
Event: Time Warner Texas Invitational
Score: #12 Michigan 6, #17 Cal State Fullerton 1; #12 Michigan 6, #24 Texas 2
Records: U-M (5-1), Cal State Fullerton (4-2), Texas (4-2)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Feb. 16 -- vs. Penn State at Time Warner Texas Invitational (Austin, Texas), Noon CST

Game 1 Boxscore | Game 2 Boxscore

AUSTIN, Texas -- Sitting through an extended rain delay and battling soggy conditions, the No. 12-ranked University of Michigan softball team earned a pair of wins over ranked opposition of the first day of competition at the Time Warner Texas Invitational, defeating No. 17 Cal State Fullerton (6-1) and No. 24 Texas (6-2) on Friday (Feb. 15) at McCombs Field.

After struggling at the plate for much of last weekend's season-opening tournament, the Wolverines bats were strong all day as they combined for 21 hits, including a season-high 14 against the Titans. Senior Alessandra Giampaolo(Pasadena, Calif./Polytechnic HS) and sophomore Maggie Viefhaus(Eureka, Mo./Eureka HS) led the U-M offensive efforts with a pair of hits in each contest -- Giampaolo going 4-for-8 on the day with two runs batted in and Viefhaus batting 4-for-7 with four RBI. Sophomore pitcher Nikki Nemitz(St. Clair Shores, Mich./Regina HS) tallied her best collegiate performance from the plate, hitting 3-for-4 in the Wolverines' game against Cal State-Fullerton with a double and an RBI.

Nemitz also tossed a gem vs. the Titans, allowing just three hits -- two of which came in the second inning -- and one earned run while striking out five to claim the complete-game performance and improve to 4-0. Freshman pitcher Jordan Taylor(Valencia, Calif./Valencia HS) fanned seven in the nightcap against host Texas, giving up five hits and two runs scored -- the first earned runs allowed of her career -- through five innings of work. Nemitz returned to the circle with one on in the sixth, and, after plunking the first batter to put a Longhorn runner into scoring position, struck out five of the next six batters to earn her first save of the season.

The Wolverines took advantage of a throwing error in the third inning to gain the initial lead against Texas. Sophomore Roya St. Clair(Livonia, Mich./Stevenson HS) led off the frame with a double to right center. Two batters later, when the Longhorns' shortshop threw the ball away, her pinch runner, senior Michelle Weatherdon(Marquette, Mich./Marquette HS) raced home to score from second base.

Texas used one swing to steal away the lead in the bottom of the fourth as Brittany Chalk, with a Longhorn runner on first, took a two-strike pitch deep over the leftfield fence. Michigan, however, responded immediately, putting together a five-run rally in the fifth to blow the game wide open. Junior shortstop Teddi Ewing(Olathe, Kan./East HS) kicked off the inning with a double -- off the first pitch -- down the leftfield line and quickly moved to third on a wild pitch during the following at-bat as sophomore centerfielder Molly Bausher(Las Vegas, Nev./Spring Valley HS) walked on four straight pitches. With still no outs and runners on first and third, Giampaolo drove in the game-winning run for the second time in as many games with a single to leftfield. Bausher and Giampaolo advanced on a sacrifice before a senior Samantha Findlay(Lockport, Ill./East HS) accepted another walk on four pitches to load up the bases. Viefhaus and freshman Dorian Shaw(Burke, Va./Robinson SS) brought them all home with back-to-back two-RBI singles, giving the Wolverines a four-run cushion and completing the game's scoring.

The Wolverines used extra-base hits and a big third inning to rally past Cal State-Fulleton in the morning contest. After the Titans manufactured a run in the top of the second after back-to-back doubles to lead off the frame, U-M responded with a run of their own in the bottom half and five more scored in the third to cruise to the victory.

Michigan evened the score in the second after a Fullerton throwing error with bases loaded. With Samantha Findlay, Viefhaus and Nemitz aboard after a leadoff walk and back-to-base hits, St. Clair knocked a full-count dribbler back to the pitching circle. Findlay was thrown out at home plate, but when the Fullerton catcher tried to pick off the Wolverine baserunner and overshot, Viefhaus sprinted home from third base to score.

With the score knotted at one run a piece, the Wolverine bats exploded in the subsequent inning, registering seven hits, including four for extra bases. Bausher led off the inning with a double to right center, and, after quickly moving to third base after a passed ball in the subsequent at-bat, trotted home for the game-winning run after Giampaolo's base hit to leftfield. With Giampaolo and Samantha Findlay on base, Viefhaus ripped the second triple of her career down the leftfield line to score both U-M captains. Shaw and Nemitz followed up with back-to-back doubles in the next two at-bats, both driving in a run to wrap up the Wolverines' scoring.

With her team in control, Nemitz retired 12 of the next 13 batters to end the game on a tear. The only hit she allowed over the stretch came from the fifth-inning leadoff. She responded with three consecutive strikeouts to end the threat.

The Wolverines will continue play at the Time Warner Texas Invitational Saturday (Feb. 16) at McCombs Field. Michigan will face conference rival Penn State at noon CST before entering playing in one of two semifinals contests at 5 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423