Ohio State Softball Drops 1-0 Decision at No. 9 Michigan – Ohio State Buckeyes
4/10/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 10, 2004
Box Score| Notes
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Ohio State freshman pitcher Jamee Juarez allowed just one run, but was enough for ninth-ranked Michigan as the Wolverines topped the Buckeyes, 1-0, at Alumni Field in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday. Ohio State (23-14, 2-4 Big Ten) collected two hits in the game, while Michigan (31-6, 6-0 Big Ten) notched six on its way to remaining atop the Big Ten standings.
Juarez (La Puente, Calif./Wilson) struck out two batters and walked only one, but sees her record slip to 10-6 on the season.
At the plate, Juarez collected the first hit in the game, a single to lead off the second inning for Ohio State. She moved to second base on a groundout by freshman Christina Douglas (Mesa, Ariz./Dobson) and then to third on a groundout by junior Natalie Hales (Canton, Ohio/Eastern Michigan). She was stranded at third, however, to end the scoring threat.
The Buckeyes again got their leadoff hitter aboard in the third inning as senior Breana Pozzi (Petaluma, Calif./Casa Grande) doubled to left field. She moved to third base on a sacrifice by junior Meghan Rowlands (Hilliard, Ohio/Bishop Ready) but Ohio State’s next two hitters were set down in order.
Juarez allowed just four singles through the first six innings before Michigan’s Jessica Merchant led off the top of the seventh inning with a solo homerun to left field, her 13th of the season which ties the Wolverine’s single-season record. One batter later, Nicole Motycka doubled and following a walk by Angie Churchill, Ohio State senior Kristi DeVries (Corona, Calif./Corona) came into pitch in her first relief appearance of the season. With runners at second and third, DeVries induced a pop out and a ground out to end the inning.
The Buckeyes were retired in order in the seventh inning to end the game. Michigan’s Nicole Motycka improves to 12-3 on the season.
Ohio State will return to action Monday in Columbus as IUPU-Ft. Wayne visits Buckeye Field for a 5 p.m. double-header.
### Go Bucks! ###
