ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan-Dearborn softball team had their home opener at Alumni Field on Sunday (Mar. 23). The Wolverines swept the Warriors 11-2 and 5-3 to open 2-0 in Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference play.
In game one, the Wolverines put on an explosive offensive display, scoring at least two runs in four innings.
Rochester Christian initially took the lead in the first inning with back-to-back RBIs from Jaya Forti, who tripled to right field, and Madelyn Latham, who singled to score Forti, making it 2-0. However, Michigan-Dearborn answered quickly, tying the game 2-2 in the bottom of the first with an RBI single from Lindsay Marlewitz and a sacrifice fly by Kendyl Gearhart.
The Wolverines then took control in the second inning, plating three runs. Olivia Scott, Kendall Phillip, and Ava Craft each delivered timely hits, including Craft's two-run double, putting Michigan-Dearborn up 5-2. The offense continued to roll in the fourth inning, with Craft adding two more RBIs from another double, extending the lead to 7-2. A sacrifice bunt from Mia Nightingale also contributed to another Wolverine run.
The final blow came in the sixth inning when Gearhart launched a three-run homer to left field, driving in Phillip and Scott and sealing the 11-2 victory.
Sydni Uhlenberg earned the win for Michigan-Dearborn, pitching a complete game, allowing just four hits, two earned runs, and striking out eight while walking one. On the other hand, the Rochester Christian pitchers struggled, with starter Rachael Winkel taking the loss after giving up five runs in 1.2 innings.
Michigan-Dearborn's offense was led by Kendall Phillip, who went 4-for-4 with an RBI, and Ava Craft, who had three RBIs. Gearhart contributed with a home run and four RBIs.
In game two, Hannah Koch carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning to pace the Wolverines. The Wolverines took an early lead and held on as Rochester Christian mounted a late rally in the sixth inning.
Michigan-Dearborn opened the scoring in the second inning when Kendyl Gearhart came home on a wild pitch, giving the Wolverines a 1-0 lead. They extended their advantage in the fourth inning with a key play: Olivia Scott's two-RBI double to center field, scoring Francesca Badalamenti and Braylin Grueter, making it 4-0. Earlier in the inning, Onyckah Ulik had walked in a run, bringing the score to 2-0.
The Wolverines added another run in the fifth inning when Gearhart scored on a fielder's choice, pushing the lead to 5-0.
However, Rochester Christian mounted a late comeback in the sixth. Caroline O'Donohue singled to drive in Chloe Gildea, and Makayla Orman followed up with a two-RBI single, scoring O'Donohue and Jessica Laird, making it 5-3. But Michigan-Dearborn's defense and pitching stood firm, shutting down any further scoring threats.
Hannah Koch earned the win for Michigan-Dearborn, allowing three earned runs on five hits over five innings while striking out four. Brooklynn Jones picked up the save with two scoreless innings of relief, striking out three. For Rochester Christian, Amber Lamphier took the loss after giving up three runs in three innings, while Makayla Orman allowed two runs in her three innings of work.
Offensively for Michigan-Dearborn, Olivia Scott led the way with a double and two RBIs, while Gearhart contributed with an RBI and a solid defensive play. For Rochester Christian, Orman's late-game heroics drove in two of their three runs, while Chloe Gildea added two hits and a run scored.
