Ann Arbor, MI - The softball team opened up WHAC play on Wednesday at Alumni Field in Ann Arbor and swept the visiting Lourdes University Gray Wolves. In game one, the Wolverines went hitless in the first three innings, but the offense came alive in the bottom of the fourth. Michigan-Dearborn scored nine runs in the fourth inning with Gina Verduzco (SO/Portage, MI) providing the big hit - a grand slam to right center field. Lourdes responded by scoring four runs in the top of the fifth. The Wolverines would add one run in the bottom of the fifth and then end the game in the sixth inning when Jordan Ewald (SO/Wixom, MI) singled to score Haley Knodell (SO/Sterling Heights, MI) and Ellie Kauten (SO/Shelby Township, MI) making the score 12-4. Verduzco pitched all six innings surrendering four runs and striking out six batters.

Offense was at center stage in game two as Lourdes jumped out on top 2-0 in the top of the first. Michigan-Dearborn got one run back in the bottom of the first on an Ewald single. The Wolverines would take the lead in the bottom of the third scoring four runs. Verduzco singled in two runs, while Kylie Hill (JR/Adrian, MI) and Riley Miller (SO/Birmingham, MI) each singled in a run as well. Lourdes would retake the lead, 7-5, in the top of the fourth with a five run inning chasing Verduzco from the game. Candace Kitchen (FR/Clarkston, MI) replaced Verduzco and allowed two runs in her one and two-thirds of an inning of work. Michigan-Dearborn would tie the game, 7-7, in the bottom of the fifth. Lourdes would regain the lead with two runs in the top of the sixth. In the bottom of the sixth, the Wolverines would take a 10-9 lead as Bertani, Ewald, and Alexis Powell (SR/Canton, MI) would all double to start the inning. Ewald and Powell would each get an RBI while Riley Miller would single in the third run of the inning. Lourdes would have the tying run in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh, but Alex Elwell (SR/Kalamazoo, MI) would get the final out preserving the 10-9 win.

Michigan-Dearborn had 28 hits in the doubleheader, with Ewald leading the way with five hits, while Bertani and Hill each having four hits. The softball team will next play Friday at Madonna University at 4:00pm.