http://www.mgoblue.com/softball/article.aspx?id=134830Home Runs Spark Run-Rule Victory at Ohio State
April 19, 2008
Site: Columbus, Ohio (Buckeye Field)
Score: #6 Michigan 10, Ohio State 1 (5 inn.)
Records: Michigan (41-4, 13-1 Big Ten), Ohio State (27-18, 4-10 Big Ten)
Next U-M Game: Friday, April 25 -- vs. Michigan State (Wilpon Complex), 6 p.m.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The No. 6-ranked University of Michigan softball team used home runs and solid pitching to claim a lopsided 10-1, five-inning decision over rival Ohio State on Saturday (April 19) at Buckeye Field. It was U-M's second run-rule victory over the Buckeyes in as many days.
Michigan (41-4, 13-1 Big Ten) matched a season high with four long balls, including a fourth-inning grand slam by freshman pinch hitter Marley Powers (Owosso, Mich./Owosso HS), who maintained her 1.000 average in bases-loaded situations with her second grand slam in three games. Sophomore rightfielder Angela Findlay (Lockport, Ill./East HS), senior second baseman Samantha Findlay (Lockport, Ill./East HS) and sophomore catcher Roya St. Clair (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson HS) also went yard for the Wolverines.
Freshman pitcher Jordan Taylor (Valencia, Calif./Valencia HS) earned the victory from the circle, fanning six Buckeye batters while allowing one walk and three hits to improve to 22-2 on the season. Taylor is now tied with three-time All-American Marissa Young (2000-03) for the most wins by a Wolverine rookie.
The Wolverines scored at least one run in each of the opening four frames to build a sizable 10-run cushion, using a five-run shelling in the fourth to gain the necessary run-rule margin. U-M took advantage of a pair of Buckeye errors in the first inning to establish the only lead it would need. With sophomore centerfielder Molly Bausher (Las Vegas, Nev./Spring Valley HS) and Angela Findlay on base with two outs late in the frame, sophomore third baseman Maggie Viefhaus (Eureka, Mo./Eureka HS) laced a base-hit single up the middle, and, when the OSU centerfielder misplayed the throw, both baserunners were able to race home to score.
The remainder of Michigan's eight runs all came via home run. St. Clair lifted her third bomb of the season -- a solo effort -- over the leftfield fence with one out in the second frame, while Samantha Findlay scored two in the subsequent inning, making Ohio State pay for a leadoff walk to Bausher, with a blast to left centerfield. It was Findlay's 16th home run of the season.
Freshman first baseman Dorian Shaw (Burke, Va./Robinson SS) kicked off the Wolverines' busy fourth inning with a leadoff double to right center and, after OSU administered back-to-back walks to senior leftfielder Alessandra Giampaolo (Pasadena, Calif./Polytechnic HS) and junior shortstop Teddi Ewing (Olathe, Kan./East HS) to force a pitching change, Powers cleared the bases with one swing of the bat, launching her second career home run -- and second grand slam -- over the fence in deep centerfield. Angela Findlay followed suit in the next at-bat, homering to left center to wrap up the Wolverines scoring in the contest.
Ohio State earned two of its three hits in the final two innings, including a fourth-inning solo home run from first baseman Tory Haddad to spoil Taylor's shutout bid. After giving up a base hit in the fifth, Taylor retired the final two batters, including a game-ending strikeout to the Buckeyes' leading hitter Samantha Marder.
Michigan will kick off a six-game homestand with a meeting against intrastate rival Michigan State on Friday (April 25). The game is slated for a 6 p.m. start at the Wilpon Softball Complex and will serve as the dedication game for the new facility.
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