|
Michigan Capitalize Over Illini, 4-0
May 11, 2007
COLUBMUS, Ohio - Veterans in the post-season, Michigan began their quest for a third straight Big Ten Tournament title with a sound defeat of sixth-seeded Illinois, 4-0, at Ohio State's Buckeye Field on Friday. After three and half scoreless innings, Michigan jumped on the board first when Samantha Findlay led off the fourth with a solo home run. Hit deep to left center, Illini players didn't even need to turn around to know it was long gone. The Wolverines extended their lead in the fifth when they capitalized on three straight Illini errors to plate three unearned runs. The inning started out with two throwing errors that placed Michigan runners on first and third with no outs. Centerfielder Alessandra Giampaolo scored Molly Bausher on third when she hit a towering sacrifice fly that was dropped by leftfielder Makenzie Smith. Rebekah Milian followed with a single up the middle to plate Ewing for another Wolverine run, but before the Illini could get out of the inning, Michigan tacked on one more run to increase its lead to 4-0. Michigan starting pitcher Lorilyn Wilson was masterful, going the distance for the Wolverines. Wilson allowed only one hit while striking out eight Illini batters. Illini pitchers allowed five hits and one earned run against the 10th-ranked team in the nation, however were hampered by defensive errors. Starting pitcher Ashley Wright picked up the loss for the Illini, allowing four hits in a similar innings of work. She was replaced in the fifth by Claire DeVreese, who did her part in two innings allowing a single Wolverine hit. Illinois ends its season at 30-25 while the Wolverines advance to tonight's game against No. 2 Northwestern at 5 p.m. ET. Northwestern advanced into the semifinal match up after handing No. 7 Michigan State a 4-0 loss on Thursday.
|
|
