Michigan Drops a 2-1 Heartbreaker at Northwestern

Sunday, March 22

Evanston, Ill.

1:00 PM CT

Michigan

20-9, 0-2

Northwestern

15-7, 2-0

Michigan

Northwestern

3/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

Site: Evanston, Ill. (Sharon Drysdale Field)
Score: #14 Northwestern 2, #8 Michigan 1
Records: U-M (20-9, 0-2 Big Ten), NU (15-8, 2-0 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, March 28 -- vs. Loyola (Wilpon Softball Complex), 2 p.m.

Boxscore | Video Report

EVANSTON, Ill. -- The No. 8-ranked University of Michigan softball team pulled within a run in the top of the seventh inning but could not bridge the gap, falling to No. 14 Northwestern, 2-1, on Sunday (March 22) at Sharon Drysdale Field.

Sophomore designated player Dorian Shaw(Burke, Va./Robinson SS) drove in the Wolverines' lone run, claiming her second hit in as many games after snapping a nine-game hitless streak, with a two-out solo shot to leftfield. The home run narrowed Northwestern's lead to one, but Wildcat ace Lauren Delaney quickly ended U-M's threat, striking out freshman second baseman Stephanie Kirkpatrick(Plainfield, Ill./Central HS) on four pitches to close the game.

Junior pitcher Nikki Nemitz(St. Clair Shores, Mich./Regina HS) recorded a solid effort from the circle, striking out nine while allowing five hits, but could not overcome a pair of fourth-inning NU home runs and took her second loss of the weekend.

The Wildcats' only runs came on back-to-back homers to lead off the fourth frame as Tammy Williams and Adrienne Monka each lifted the first pitch they saw over the fence. The U-M pitching staff has allowed just 11 home runs on the season.

Junior rightfielder Angela Findlay(Lockport, Ill./East HS) and freshman first baseman Amanda Chidester(Allen Park, Ill./Cabrini HS) registered Michigan's other hits in the contest. Findlay went 2-for-3 from the plate for her sixth multi-hit effort of the season.

The Wolverines will kick off the home portion of their 2008-09 schedule next Saturday (March 28) with a non-conference doubleheader against Loyola (Chicago). The first game is slated for a 2 p.m. start at the Wilpon Softball Complex, home of Alumni Field.

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423