No. 12 Wolverines Delay Wildcats' Title Hopes, 2-0

Sunday, April 30

Ann Arbor, Mich.

1:00 PM

Northwestern

36-11, 14-3

Michigan

34-13, 12-4

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Michigan	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	2	6	0
Northwestern	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1

No. 12 Wolverines Delay Wildcats' Title Hopes, 2-0

4/30/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

April 30, 2006

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- After taking the first game of a doubleheader at No. 12 Michigan, 14th-ranked Northwestern dropped the second game of the double-dip, 2-0, snapping the Wildcats' season-best 11-game winning streak.

With the loss, Northwestern falls to 36-11 overall on the year, 14-3 in the Big Ten. Michigan now is 34-13 overall, 12-4 in the conference.

Northwestern's magic number to clinch the Big Ten title remains one. The Wildcats close out the conference schedule with single games Saturday and Sunday at Illinois. Northwestern needs a win in one of those games, or one Michigan loss in its season-ending series against Michigan State to earn the championship.

Northwestern mounted the game's first rally in the bottom of the third inning. Sophomore Darcy Sengewald (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln Way East) ripped a one-out single into center, then advanced when junior Katie Logan (Tempe, Ariz./Corona del Sol) chopped her second single of the game high off the plate to put runners at first and second.

With two outs, junior Garland Cooper (Mission Viejo, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic) drew a five-pitch walk to load the bases, but Michigan ace Jennie Ritter -- starting for the second time on the day -- was able to get out of the inning unscathed.

In the top of the fifth, Michigan mounted its first threat of the contest, putting runners on second and third with no outs. Foster got a pop up to Sengewald in foul territory for out number one, then Rebekah Milian lined a ball right at Sengewald, who gloved it and raced back to third for the unassisted, inning-ending double play.

The Wolverines put together another rally in the top of the sixth. A leadoff double led Northwestern head coach Kate Drohan to replace Foster with junior Eileen Canney (Paradise, Calif./Paradise) in the circle. The next batter singled to again put runners at second and third with no outs. After Canney struck out the next batter, back-to-back singles scored a pair of runs to give Michigan a 2-0 lead.

Foster pitched five innings, allowing the one run on three hits and three walks. She struck out four.

In the bottom of the sixth, freshman Tammy Williams (El Dorado Springs, Mo./Osceola) led off the inning with line drive to the straightaway center field. The deep 222-foot dimensions and a strong wind blowing in were the only reasons the ball stayed in the park, being caught at the fence for an out.

The Wildcats were unable to challenge any further in the contest.

Foster (18-6) was tagged with the loss for the 'Cats, while Ritter picked up the win for the Wolverines. Canney struck out four and allowed one run on three hits in two innings of relief.

Northwestern returns to action at 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 2 with a doubleheader at DePaul.