Wolverines Rally to Beat UCF in Extra Innings

Wednesday, February 27

Orlando, Fla.

6:00 PM

Michigan

12-2

UCF

10-9

Michigan

UCF

2/27/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

Site: Orlando, Fla. (UCF Softball Complex)
Score: #12 Michigan 1, Central Florida 1 (9 inn.)
Records: U-M (12-2), Central Florida (10-9)
Next U-M Events: Friday, Feb. 29 -- vs. Mississippi State (1:30 p.m.), UC Santa Barbara (4 p.m.) at NFCA Leadoff (Columbus, Ga.)

Boxscore

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The No. 12-ranked University of Michigan softball team used a two-run ninth inning to slide past Central Florida, 3-1, Wednesday evening (Feb. 27) at the UCF Softball Complex. It was the Michigan's second straight extra-inning victory over the Knights.

Freshman first baseman Dorian Shaw(Burke, Va./Robinson SS) drove in the game-winning run on a single with two on and one out in the top of the ninth frame. Shaw's base hit was one of just five for the Wolverines. Senior second baseman Samantha Findlay(Lockport, Ill./East HS) paced the U-M hitters -- as she did throughout the weekend' UCF Tournament -- with a 2-for-3 showing at the plate with a pair of runs scored. Sophomore designated player Nikki Nemitz(St. Clair Shores, Mich./Regina HS) and junior shortstop Teddi Ewing(Olathe, Kan./East HS) also registered hits for Michigan.

Freshman pitcher Jordan Taylor(Valencia, Calif./Valencia HS) earned a career-high 11 strikeouts in a superb complete-game performance from the circle. Taylor allowed four hits, including two in the second inning, and one unearned run to claim her seventh win of the season.

Michigan trailed for a majority of the contest after it gave up the second-inning tally. The Knights' Allison Kime singled to lead off the frame and was kept aboard in the subsequent at-bat due to a U-M throwing error. Taylor earned quick back-to-back outs and had two strikes against UCF centerfielder Ashley Van before allowing a single down the rightfield line, which scored Kime from second base.

The Wolverines had opportunities to score in the middle frames, putting runners on base in three consecutive frames, but U-M waited until the top of the seventh to knot up the score and force extra innings. Samantha Findlay led off the seventh with a walk -- her seventh of the season -- on four straight pitches and, after advancing on a subsequent sacrifice bunt, raced home to score on Nemitz's single to right centerfield.

After a scoreless eighth inning, Findlay again initiated the U-M rally in the ninth with a leadoff single through the left side. She moved to second on another sacrifice bunt then to third when Nemitz was hit by an inside pitch before Shaw drove her in, ripping the first pitch she saw through the gap on the left side. A UCF pitching change proved ineffective as Kime tossed a wild pitch to the backstop and allowed Nemitz to trot home from third base.

With the Wolverine lead in hand, Taylor retired three straight Central Florida batters, including the final two via strikeout, to seal up her team's sixth win in a row.

Michigan (12-2) will head to Columbus, Ga., for its annual appearance at the NFCA Leadoff Classic. The Wolverines will kick off the competition with games against Mississippi State (1:30 p.m.) and UC Santa Barbara (4 p.m.) at the South Commons Stadium and Complex.

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423