ROSEMONT, Ill. – The University of Michigan-Dearborn softball team opened the 2019 season with a pair of wins at the NAIA Leadoff Tournament Friday in Rosemont, Ill.
The Wolverines rallied in both contests, using a six-run fourth to erase a 4-1 deficit against Judson University in the opener to take the game 7-4. UM-Dearborn (2-0) topped host school Roosevelt University 7-5 in the second game of the day, scoring three times in the seventh.
Against Judson, the Wolverines fell behind 4-1 on four unearned runs for the Eagles. In the bottom of the fourth, the UM-Dearborn bats came alive, starting with an RBI single from senior Rachel Clem, followed by a two-run double from fellow senior Sarah Prashad.
Freshman Madelin Skene put the Wolverines up for good with a bases-loaded triple to score three runs. Prashad finished with two hits, two runs, and two RBIs to lead the UM-Dearborn offense.
Junior Samantha Torongeau (1-0) got the start on the mound, tossing four innings, allowing four runs, none earned, on three hits, while striking out three to pick up the win. Skene took over on the mound in the fifth and picked up a three-inning save (1), allowing no runs on two hits.
Against Roosevelt, the Wolverines took the lead first on a two-run home run (1) from Clem in the fourth. UM-Dearborn added two more in the fifth on RBIs from Kaylie McConnell and Clem. After the Lakers scored five unanswered to move in front, the Wolverines took advantage of three unearned runs in the seventh to secure the win.
Clem finished 3-for-4 at the plate, a double shy of a cycle while adding two runs and three RBIs.
Freshman Erin McCune got her first start on the mound for the Wolverines, tossing five-plus innings, allowing three runs, two earned, on five hits, while walking four and striking out one. Skene (1-0) entered the game in the sixth and allowed two runs while earning her first collegiate win. Junior Ashlynn Henderson closed the door in the seventh for her first save of the season.
The Wolverines continue play at the NAIA Leadoff Tournament with two games on Saturday, starting against Saint Xavier University at 3 pm (EST), followed by a contest against Saint Francis University (Ind.) at 8 pm (EST).
