April 9, 2006
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - No. 12 Michigan overpowered the Purdue softball team with a 14-0 win in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader. The Boilermakers look to shake off the loss in Game 2 which is slated to begin at 2 p.m.
Senior Staci Falzon (Carlsbad, Calif.) nearly led off the game with a home run to right, but was robbed of the round-tripper as right fielder Stephanie Bercaw caught the ball as it cleared the fence.
The Wolverines loaded the bases in the first on two walks and a hit by pitch, but lined into a double play, leaving runners at second and third for Grace Leutele. Leutele picked up an RBI with a single up the middle that pushed Tiffany Haas across the plate. Alessandra Giampaolo tried to score from second but was gunned down by center fielder Staci Falzon for the inning's third out.
The Boilermakers put two on in the second as junior Erika Peterson (Irvine, Calif.) walked and junior DaQueta Johnson (Ontario, Calif.) was hit by a pitch, but a pair of strikeouts kept them off the scoreboard.
Michigan added nine runs on seven hits and an error in the bottom of the inning. Teddi Ewing was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and no outs to account for the first run. Haas added three more with a double off the left field wall. Junior Brooke Baker (Schererville, Ind.) came in to relieve senior Diana LaRiva (Tustin, Calif.) on the mound, but could not slow the Wolverine bats. Three RBI singles and a two-run double followed, before the Boilermakers ended the inning with a ground out and strikeout.
Sophomore Tiffany Krcelich (Granger, Ind.) snapped the no-hitter with a bunt single in the third, but was caught stealing for the inning's third out.
UM added one run in the third and three in the fourth to make it 14-0. The Boilermakers went down in order in the top of the fifth to end the game via run rule.
The Boilermakers managed one hit in the game, while Michigan scored 14 runs on 12 hits. Jennie Ritter earned the complete game victory, while LaRiva (8-9) was charged with the loss for Purdue.
Game 2 of the doubleheader will begin at approximately 2 p.m.