FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- Timely hitting and pitching was the key to two crucial victories for the University of Michigan-Dearborn softball team. An extra-innings victory and a come-from-behind win over the Cleary Cougars propelled the Wolverines to 5-7 in WHAC play.
In game one, the Cougars scored first on an unearned run after an error in the infield. In the bottom of the third, Mia Nightingale hit a deep line drive over the centerfielder's head for a lead-off double. After a SAC bunt from Grace Colclaure and a popout, Olivia Scott cashed in for the Wolverines, scoring Nightingale on an RBI single, tying the game at one. An inning later, Kendly Gearhart stepped up to the dish with the bases loaded and delivered a two-RBI single down the left-field line. Brooklynn Jones and Lindsay Marlewitz scored on the play.
After two runs from the Cougars in the sixth, there was free softball to be played after neither team could break the 3-3 deadlock. Hannah Koch threw 3.2 innings of scoreless relief for the Wolverines, allowing the Wolverines to stay in the contest. In the bottom of the ninth, the Wolverines would end the marathon contest with a clutch single from Mia Nightingale. A Grace Colclasure SAC bunt and Chloe Grimm walk brought Olivia Scott up again with the game on the line. On a 1-1 pitch, Scott laces a ball to centerfield to score Nightingale and win in walk-off fashion.
The Wolverines trailed 2-0 in game two until the fourth inning. Senior leadership would help the Wolverines wake up the bats when Makaila Cooper hit a long fly off the top of the fence and over for a solo home run and cut the Cougar lead in half. Cleary would add a run in the fifth, but the Wolverines would again respond, putting the game out of reach. Brooklynn Jones walked with the bases loaded to make it 3-2, and Cooper would again deliver as she ripped a line drive to right-center after scoring two runs. The Cougars misplayed the relay, allowing Jones to advance on the errant throw.
The Cougars would put runners on first and second in the seventh inning, and starter Sydni Uhlenberg gave way to Koch after throwing 6.1 innings and scattering eight hits for three runs (one earned). Koch retired both batters she faced and secured her first save of the season and the doubleheader sweep.
