Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Michigan
Softball Downs No. 12 Michigan With Seventh-Inning Rally
4/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 19, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - For the second time in as many games, the Northwestern softball squad (19-13-1, 7-4) knocked off a nationally ranked opponent. Wednesday it was No. 17 DePaul, today's victim was No. 12 Michigan (34-9, 8-3). The Wildcats needed single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to down the first-place Wolverines, 3-2.
The win is NU's fourth against a top 25 team this season and it also snaps Michigan's 15 straight road win streak that began last May.
Erin Jancic lead off the third with a double that hit the top of the left field fence and bounced back into play. She came home on an error by the Wolverine's first baseman, who skipped the throw ball past the first baseman, giving NU the early 1-0 lead.
Lauren Schwendimann did a great job shutting down Michigan after pitching out of a jams in the second and third innings. She set down nine consecutive batters from the third inning through the sixth.
The Wolverine's scored two in the sixth on a walk, a double and a single, giving them a 2-1 advantage.
NU tied the game in its half of the sixth, taking advantage of another Michigan error. Carri Leto lead off the inning with a base hit. With one out Erin Mobley singled to right. Leto without hesitation rounded second and headed to third. The Wolverine third baseman could not handle the throw from the right fielder and Leto slid safely into home.
Michigan threatened in the seventh with a runner on third, but Jancic made a nice running grab in left to end the inning.
It was Leto's heroics again that gave the 'Cats the decisive run in the seventh. J.C. Kira was hit by a pitch to begin the inning, placing her at first. Another error by the Wolverine third baseman, attempting to throw out Rane Gunderson at first, put NU runners on first and second. Andria Caruthers entered the game as a pinch runner for Kira at second. Brett Nakabayashi then singled, moving everyone up 60 feet. Leto completed the upset with a single to center field that fell in front of the defense. Caruthers crossed home with NU's third run of the game.
Northwestern and Michigan return to the field tomorrow for game two of the series. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
