The University of Michigan softball team was back after a weeks rest and this time they were fighting for a Super Regional Crown in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Michigan Wolverines and Tennessee Lady Vols began competition of the best-of-three series. This match-up featured two of the most dominating pitchers in all of college softball; Monica Abbot from Tennessee and Jennie Ritter from Michigan. Both of the aces rank in the top 10 in ERA and wins.
The capacity crowd at Tyson Park viewed a rather slow paced game as both pitchers dominated through the first three innings. The Lady Vols struck first. Junior India Chiles began her superb afternoon with a bunt single in which she showcased her lighting quick speed. Junior Lindsay Schultzer followed with an infield single of her own. With nobody out and runners at first and second, slugger Tonya Callahan singled down the right field line to drive in Chiles and put Tennessee up 1-0. Katherine Card flied out to deep center field to sacrifice Schultzer to home. Jennie Ritter got out of the inning, however, striking out the next two Tennessee batters. As soon as it seemed that Tennessee gained some momentum, Michigan struck back.
In the top of the fifth, Samantha Findlay blasted a pitch high in the zone to deep left center field for her eighth homerun of the year to cut the deficit to 2-1. In the next Michign at bat in the top of the sixth, a bizarre play would provide with the then game tying run. Tiffany Haas singled with one out in the top of the sixth to bring up Rebekah Milian. She bunted to third baseman, Kenora Posey; she gathered it and her throw sailed over the head of Allison Fulmer at first. The ball reached all the way to the wall in foul territory and by the time the ball got into the infield, Tiffany Haas scored from first and Milian landed on third. Michigan tied it up, 2-2. With Milian at third, Monica Abbot regained her composure and struck out Becky Marx, who went 0-3 in the game, and ended the inning on an Alessandra Giampaolo line out.
Another third baseman’s error would prove costly, but this time the victim was Michigans’ Grace Leutele. Indian Chiles set down another bunt to the third base side. Leutele bobbled hit for a moment but that was all it took. The ball went over Samantha Findlay’s outstretched glove and into foul territory. Stephanie Bercaw collected the throw and riffled it to second but Chiles beat the throw. Lindsay Schultzer had another opportunity to drive in a runner, and she did just that. She hit a ground ball straight ahead. It took a tall bounce in front of Jennie Ritter and reached centerfield. Chiles was just barely safe at home as she slid under the tag of Becky Marx to create the go-ahead run. Carol Hutchins decided to intentionally walk power-hitter Tonya Callahan but both runners advanced when Jennie Ritter pitched a low one in the dirt and Marx could not gather it. A pair of groundouts then moved both runners home as Tennessee took a commanding 5-2 lead.
Tiffany Worthy did her best to keep Michigan in the game with her fourth homerun of the year to put the Wolverines back within two runs but that would be all for Michigan as they dropped game one against the Lady Vols. Jennie Ritter uncharacteristically allowed five earned runs on only five hits. She picks up rare loss; her record falls to 30-7 while Monica Abbot continues her impressive junior season as she improves to 40-7.
Michigan faces Tennessee again at Tyson Park in an attempt to continue their season tomorrow (May 28) at 1:00 PM for game two of the best-of-three series. Michigan must win back-to-back game tomorrow in order to claim the Super Regional Crown and if the Wolverines do indeed win game two, both teams will play game three at approximately 3 PM. Both games will be showcased on ESPN television.
Final- Tennessee 5 Michigan 3
Go Blue!