Michigan Captures UCF Tourney Title with Two Wins

Sunday, February 24

Orlando, Fla.

8:00 AM

Michigan

10-2

Auburn

9-1

Auburn

Michigan

2/24/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Site: Orlando, Fla. (UCF Softball Complex)
Event: UCF Tournament (Day 3)
Scores: #12 Michigan 9, Auburn 0 (5 inn.); #12 Michigan 6, Central Florida 1 (8 inn.)
Records: U-M (11-2), Auburn (9-1), Central Florida (10-8)
Next U-M Event: Wednesday, Feb. 27 -- at Central Florida (Orlando, Fla.), 6 p.m.

Game 1 Boxscore | Game 2 Boxscore

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The No. 12-ranked University of Michigan softball team earned a pair of victories in the final day of competition at the UCF Tournament on Sunday (Feb. 24), cruising past Auburn 9-0 in five innings before besting host Central Florida 6-1 in eight at the UCF Softball Complex.

Senior first baseman Samantha Findlay(Lockport, Ill./East HS) batted 4-for-7 from the plate, including a three-run shot in the top of the eighth against the Knights, to headline the Wolverines' offensive efforts. Five different U-M players tallied multiple-hit efforts in the opening game against Auburn as Michigan combined for 12 hits and a season-high nine runs. Sophomore second baseman Molly Bausher(Las Vegas, Nev./Spring Valley HS) went 3-for-3 vs. the Tigers with two runs batted in, and sophomore leftfielder Angela Findlay(Lockport, Ill./East HS) hit 2-for-2 and tallied an RBI in each contest.

Freshman pitcher Jordan Taylor(Valencia, Calif./Valencia HS) earned both wins -- improving her season mark to 6-1 -- combining for 10 strikeouts, four walks and four hits allowed through seven total innings pitched. The U-M rookie fanned seven Tiger batters in the first contest en route to the complete-game shutout -- her second of the weekend -- and, entering in relief late in the nightcap, struck out three to close out the final two frames. Sophomore ace Nikki Nemitz(St. Clair Shores, Mich./Regina HS) -- just a day removed from her perfect game -- pitched six shutout innings vs. the Knights and took the no decision.

The Wolverines took the only lead they would need in the bottom of the first frame against Auburn before adding five runs in the second and three in the fourth. Samantha Findlay netted the game-winning RBI on a no-out fielder's choice to the shortstop, scoring Bausher, who led off the game with a single up the middle, from third base.

Michigan used six hits and a pair of Tiger errors to manufacture its runs in the subsequent inning. With one out and one on, junior shortstop Teddi Ewing(Olathe, Kan./East HS) doubled to kick off a string of six consecutive base hits as the Wolverines drove in runs over four of five plate appearances. Samantha Findlay picked up her second RBI in as many at-bats with a hard single up the middle, while her sister, Angela, wrapped up the scoring late in the frame, sprinting home from third base after a wild pitch dribbled to the backstop.

U-M earned its necessary run-rule cushion in the bottom half of the fourth inning, scoring three runs after back-to-back-to-back hits to lead off the frame. Angela and Samantha Findlay singled to opposite sides of the outfield, and sophomore Maggie Viefhaus(Eureka, Mo./Eureka HS) wasted little time before bringing them both home, knocking a triple -- her second of the season -- to left centerfield. With the bases loaded late in the inning, Bausher accepted a walk as freshman Marley Powers(Owosso, Mich./Owosso HS) -- who reached after getting struck by a pitch -- trotted home from third base for her first-collegiate run scored.

The Wolverine bats were more subdued in the second contest as U-M combined for eight hits -- three of which came in its six-run eighth. Michigan had an opportunity to score early, putting two in the top of the first, but were held without a run through the opening seven frames.

With the bases loaded and no outs in the eighth, Knight pitcher Allison Kime walked in the first run of the contest, and the Wolverines followed it up with five more runs scored in the following three at-bats. Senior centerfield Alessandra Giampaolo(Pasadena, Calif./Polytechnic HS) and Angela Findlay each drove in one before Samantha Findlay smacked a long three-RBI home run to right center -- the Wolverine captain's second homer of the weekend and fourth of the season. Findlay needs just one more to tie the Wolverines' school record in the category, currently held by two-time All-American Jessica Merchant (46, 2002-05).

Taylor gave up an earned run in the first at-bat in the home half of the inning and gave her team a scare with a pair of walks to load the bases, but retired the final two batters to end the threat.

Michigan (11-2) will remain in Orlando, Fla., for a couple more days and square off against Central Florida on Wednesday (Feb. 27). The game is slated for a 6 p.m. start at the UCF Softball Complex.

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423