KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The University of Michigan-Dearborn softball team played three at THE Spring Games on Thursday in Kissimmee, Fla.
The Wolverines rolled to an 8-0 win in five innings over Spring Arbor University in the opener before splitting a thrilling doubleheader with (RV) Bellevue University to close the day.
In the first game against the Bruins, UM-Dearborn rallied late with five runs in the sixth, but Bellevue answered in the seventh to tie the game at 6-6 and force extra innings. The Bruins took a one-run lead in the eighth, but UM-Dearborn tied the game in the bottom of the inning before Marisa Vermiglio hit a walk-off grand slam to give UM-Dearborn an 11-7 win.
The Wolverines took an early advantage in game two with Bellevue, but the Bruins rallied with seven runs in the fifth to escape with a 10-8 win and the split.
UM-Dearborn is 8-9 overall this season.
Against the Cougars, UM-Dearborn scored seven times in the second inning, starting with a solo home run from Vermiglio, while Madelin Skene hit a grand slam later in the frame. Kayla Laquiere hit the third UM-Dearborn home run of the inning to make it 7-0.
Aspen Starr added another run for the Wolverines on a solo home run in the fifth to close the game out. Reigning Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week Erin McCune got the start on the mound, allowing no runs on four hits, striking out one.
Down 4-1 in the opener with Bellevue, UM-Dearborn again relied on the long ball to get back in the game. Skene hit a three-run home run in the sixth, followed by a two-run shot from Laquiere. The Bruins scored two in the 7th and one in the eighth to take a 7-6 lead, setting the stage for Vermiglio's walk-off grand slam.
Skene (3-1) got the start on the mound and returned to the mound in the eighth in relief. She tossed 4.2 total innings, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out six in the win.
In the finale, UM-Dearborn scored all of its runs in the fourth starting with back-to-back solo home runs from Skene and Makenna Millhorn. The Wolverines continued to put up runs with RBIs from Vermiglio, Megan Lohner, Amy Jarrett, and Skene.
The Bruins scored seven times in the fifth to move and front and held on for the win.
Ashlynn Henderson got the start on the mound, allowing five runs on seven hits, striking out four in 4.1 innings. McCune took the loss in relief.
UM-Dearborn plays two more on Friday, starting against Briar Cliff University at 4:15 pm, followed by a matchup with Lindenwood University-Belleville at 6:30 pm.
