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No. 11 softball comes alive to take series from Hawkeyes

The reigning Big Ten champion Michigan softball team began its defense of the conference crown this weekend by doing something it had not done in eight years -- take a series from Iowa.

In winning two out of three over the weekend, the Wolverines also got their revenge on the Hawkeyes, who ousted them from last year's NCAA Women's College World Series.

After splitting a Saturday doubleheader against the rival Hawkeyes, No. 11 Michigan (2-1 Big Ten, 23-9 overall) came from behind to beat the No. 16 Hawkeyes, 3-1, yesterday to win the weekend series.

A Wolverine offense that struggled throughout the weekend finally came alive in the bottom of the sixth yesterday, rallying for three runs and four hits giving Michigan a thrilling come-from-behind victory.

With Iowa (1-2, 22-10) leading 1-0, the Wolverines loaded the bases with one out in the sixth.

Junior catcher Jennifer Smith then smashed a ground ball single up the middle to drive in the tying and winning runs.

Junior second baseman Jessica Lang followed with another RBI single up the middle to make it 3-1.

Sara Griffin (13-4) pitched the complete game, allowing one run on four hits.

"I tried to keep (the ball) low," Griffin said. "I wanted it to just be ground balls to our infield cause I know they can handle that."

Excluding an RBI-double in the top of the first by Iowa junior left fielder Lea Twigg, Griffin held the Hawkeyes at bay until the sixth.

A single and a walk produced two Iowa runners with one out in the inning, but then Griffin struckout Hebert and then Tate made a diving catch in deep right-field foul territory to end the threat.

Tate also started the Wolverines' sixth-inning rally with a single to right. Freshman Traci Conrad followed with a dribbler in front of the plate for an infield single.

An intentional walk to Griffin later in the inning loaded the bases to set the stage for Smith's game-winning single.

Sophomore pitcher Debbie Blibao took the loss for Iowa.

The weekend ended much better than it began for the Wolverines.

In the first game of Saturday's twinbill, Michigan struggled offensively and defensively in falling to the Hawkeyes, 6-2.

Iowa sophomore pitcher Debbie Bilbao (11-4) shut down Michigan's offense while the Hawkeye bats exploited a not-so-sharp Wolverine defense.

With no score in the top of the third, Michigan junior pitcher Kelly Holmes gave up a bloop single to senior DP Melissa Young that started a four-run inning.

After stealing second and taking third on a ground out, Young scored the first run of the game on a sacrifice fly.

With two outs and nobody on, Holmes looked as if she would avoid serious damage. But afterthree hits and one hit-batter, Michigan trailed, 4-0.

Bilbao's two-run scoring single was the big blow in the inning.

In the bottom of the inning, the Wolverines cut the lead to 4-1 thanks to a Hawkeye throwing error that allowed senior right fielder Erin Martino to score from second.

But Iowa answered immediately to take a commanding 6-1 lead with two more runs in the fourth.

"We just were tentative," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said. "In both big innings, they had opened up on plays that should've been made, but we're playing tentative ball."

Michigan added a run in the fifth, but it was too little too late for the Wolverines.

Holmes took the complete game loss, dropping her record to 11-5.

In the second game, Griffin took the mound and quieted the Hawkeye offense.

The game remained scoreless until the Michigan bats came alive in the top of the fourth.

Four straight hits with one out, including three consecutive doubles, resulted in a 2-0 Wolverine lead.

Griffin (2-for-3, two doubles) started the rally with a double to left. Freshman left fielder Cathy Davie followed with an RBI-double, and then senior center fielder Cheryl Pearcy doubled Davie home.

Iowa came back with a run in its half of the inning courtesy of a Griffin wild pitch.

Griffin was too much for the Hawkeyes, though, as they could only manage a slight threat in the sixth.

Michigan added an insurance run in the seventh inning to take a 3-1 lead.

Tate led the Wolverines with three hits including a double and a stolen base.

Hawkeye junior pitcher Jenny McMahon (6-5) took the loss.

The Wolverines will see action tomorrow against Penn State in a doubleheader.