The Michigan softball team had the Women’s College World Series clincher 120 feet away and the game tying run 60 feet away. The unfortunate end to the Wolverine’s season couldn’t have come at a more heart breaking moment. In game three of the best-of-three series against the Tennessee Lady Vols, the bases were loaded in the bottom of the seventh for Rebekah Milian. Her back was against the wall with a 1-2 count and Tennessee ace, Monica Abbott, was able to get her down on strikes and send the Michigan seniors out on a sour note. The Tennessee Lady Vols now face the UCLA Bruins at the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Thursday.

The game went scoreless through the first five innings with both pitchers, Jennie Ritter and Monica Abbott, on their game. The Wolverines had excellent chances that went unchecked in both the first and fourth inning. In the bottom of the first, senior Becky Marx and sophomore Samantha Findlay were at second and first base respectively but sophomore Alessandra Giampaolo was sent down on strikes. In the fourth, senior Stephanie Bercaw struck out with runners at second and third. The Tennessee Lady Vols finally drew first blood in the top of the fifth with Katherine Card’s single to right center field to drive in speedy India Chiles. That gave the Lady Vols a 1-0 advantage. Jennie Ritter got out of the frame by striking out Kristi Durant, who played her first series since April after suffering a back injury.

Michigan was labeled the home team via a flip of the coin, so they had last dibs in the bottom of the seventh. Tiffany Worthy started the Michigan rally by beating out an infield single with one out. Stephanie Bercaw walked after Michelle Weatherdon was named pinch runner for Worthy. Monica Abbott then intentionally walked Tiffany Haas to load the bases with two outs. The crowd was then on their feet at Tyson Park. Rebekah Milian struck out swinging which sent the over-capacity crowd of 1,283 in Knoxville, Tennessee into cheers, but left the section of Wolverine fans, including Jennie Ritter’s father, John Ritter, in tears. Michigan lost a heartbreaker, and Carol Hutchins knew it. According to cstv.com, “Coach Hutch” stated, "We've got great players. I start with Jennie Ritter and the rest of our senior class. They came to play for Michigan. Our younger players just kept getting better. I just want to develop kids to play for Michigan. Grace played outstanding. Talking about the five seniors is the hardest part for me. It will make them cry, and make me cry, too. They won my heart and won a national championship, too."

Jennie Ritter pitched all three games of the series including back-to-back games this afternoon (May 28). In game three, she allowed one run on seven hits. She also racked up a combined 22 strikeouts in the three games and reached the 1,200 career strikeout milestone.

The seniors’ contribution to last year’s national championship team and this year’s Super Regional run is insurmountable. Seniors Stephanie Bercaw, Grace Leutele, Tiffany Haas, Jennie Ritter and Becky Marx exit Michigan with experiences that will last a lifetime. Sure it was disappointing this year, but they can hold their heads high knowing that they accomplished what no team in the history of the country has done: be the first Women’s Softball World Series champion east of the Mississippi River and in the Eastern Time Zone.

Final- Tennessee 1 Michigan 0

Go Blue!