SYLVANIA, Ohio – The University of Michigan-Dearborn (24-17) softball team needed a dominant performance in the circle in order to keep their WHAC Tournament Championship hopes alive. After dropping the first game of the tournament to the Concordia Cardinals, the Wolverines came back in the nightcap and shut out the second-seeded University of Northwestern Ohio Racers 4-0.

The Cardinals controlled the opening game from start to finish, but down 3-0 in the seventh inning, the Wolverines showed some fight as they loaded up the bases. Unfortunately, the Wolverines would only muster one run and would eventually drop the game 3-1 and move to the consolation bracket. 

In the consolation bracket, the Wolverines took on the Racers, who had been upset earlier in the day. However, the Wolverines were looking to play spoiler as well, as UNOH would not plate a run despite tallying eight hits. Aspen Starr led the Wolverines at the plate as she went 2-3 with a solo home run in game two. 

Hannah Koch got the start in game two throwing 3.1 innings of scoreless ball. Lanie Ellinger came in relief of Koch and was credited with the win after she tossed the final 3.2 innings and surrendered just three hits, and struck out four batters. 

The Wolverines look to keep their title hopes alive tomorrow as they take on the eighth-seeded Lawrence Tech Blue Devils at noon.