FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- The University of Michigan-Dearborn softball team delivered a dominant performance on the road, defeating Lawrence Tech 10-0 in a game that ended in just five innings due to the mercy rule.
Michigan-Dearborn came out strong early, scoring three runs in the second inning. The rally was highlighted by a two-RBI triple from Brooklynn Jones, followed by a sacrifice fly from Mia Nightingale to make it 3-0. The third inning saw an offensive explosion as the team scored six more runs. Kendyl Gearhart's RBI single and a two-RBI single from Nightingale broke the game wide open. The inning also featured a hit-by-pitch and a fielder's choice, all contributing to a commanding 9-0 lead.
Gearhart capped off the scoring in the fourth inning with a solo home run, bringing the score to 10-0. That would be the final tally as Lawrence Tech struggled to get anything going offensively.
On the mound, Sydni Uhlenberg was brilliant for Michigan-Dearborn, earning the win after pitching a complete five-inning game. Uhlenberg allowed no hits and no runs and struck out two while walking one, improving her record to 5-4 on the season. Lawrence Tech's pitching staff, led by Sydney Mayer and Mikayla Timm, couldn't keep the Michigan-Dearborn bats at bay, with Mayer suffering the loss after allowing nine runs in 2.1 innings of work.
Offensively for Michigan-Dearborn, Kendyl Gearhart led the charge with a 3-for-3 performance, including a home run and two RBIs. Brooklynn Jones also had a standout game, going 2-for-2 with a triple, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Mia Nightingale contributed heavily as well, driving in three RBIs with a pair of singles.
In game two, Lawrence Tech got on the scoreboard first in the third inning, as Ashlyn Bloomfield doubled to bring home Lily Federau, giving the home team a 1-0 lead. However, Michigan-Dearborn quickly responded in the fourth inning when Kendall Phillip hit a solo home run, tying the game at 1-1.
The game remained tied until the top of the seventh inning when Michigan-Dearborn's offense exploded for four runs. Mia Nightingale's two-RBI single gave the Wolverines a 3-1 lead, bringing home Lindsay Marlewitz and pinch-runner Katrina Caldwell. Olivia Scott followed with a single, plating Nightingale for a 4-1 lead, and Francesca Badalamenti capped the rally with an RBI single to score Scott and make it 5-1.
On the mound, Michigan-Dearborn had strong pitching performances across the board. Hannah Koch started the game, facing no batters in her brief stint. Zoe Peterson came in to throw 1.2 innings, allowing two hits but keeping Lawrence Tech scoreless. Sydni Uhlenberg closed the game with 5.1 innings of work, allowing three hits and one run while striking out no batters but keeping Lawrence Tech at bay to secure the win.
Lawrence Tech's pitcher Sarah Basket took the loss despite a solid outing in which she gave up five runs (three earned) on eight hits in six innings. Sydney Mayer relieved her for one inning but couldn't prevent Michigan-Dearborn from extending their lead.
