ADRIAN, Mich. -- The University of Michigan-Dearborn softball team swept the Siena Heights Saints on Sunday (Apr. 6). The wins complete a 4-0 week, improving the Wolverines to 7-3 in conference play.
In game one, the Wolverines needed late-inning heroics to steal a win on the road. Siena Heights struck first in the 3rd inning when Brooklyn Ross hit a fielder's choice, bringing in Liberti Fair to give the Saints a 1-0 lead. However, UM-Dearborn responded in the 4th with a big three-run blast from Lindsay Marlewitz, who hit a home run with two runners on base to push the Wolverines ahead 3-1. Ava Craft and Kendall Phillip scored on the play.
The Saints were quick to answer in the bottom half of the inning. Ellie Thelen doubled down the left-field line, knocking in two runs as Fair and Avery Schellenberger crossed the plate, tying the game at 3-3.
Both teams struggled to break the tie in the following innings, but UM-Dearborn found a way in the 6th. Brooklynn Jones provided a key sac bunt to score Katrina Caldwell, putting the Wolverines back on top 4-3.
Siena Heights didn't go down without a fight, tying the game again in the 7th when Shyann Truax singled to center field, bringing in Brianna Manning to make it 4-4.
But it was UM-Dearborn that would have the final say in the 8th. Braylin Grueter stepped up with a clutch two-RBI single that advanced to second on a throw, scoring both Jones and Marlewitz and giving the Wolverines a two-run lead at 6-4.
The Wolverines' pitching staff held strong throughout the game. Sydni Uhlenberg started, going 3.2 innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out three. Zoe Peterson followed with 2.1 solid innings, allowing just one unearned run, and Kendall Phillip closed the game out with two scoreless innings to secure the victory.
In game two, the Wolverines erupted for six runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by a Kendyl Gearhart three-run blast. The Saints would respond with three of their own in the bottom half of the inning, but the Wolverines would add crucial insurance runs over the final two innings to claim an 8-6 victory. Hannah Koch earned the win, tossing four innings and striking out a pair.
