Big Ten Network : Michigan Top Stories

Ohio State wins on Turner's last-second shot

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:25:00 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—Evan Turner's accuracy was off, and the player widely regarded as one of the nation's best was becoming visibly frustrated in the final minutes. When the game clock showed 2.2 seconds, those issues no longer mattered. Turner took an inbounds pass, dribbled upcourt and drained a 37-footer at the buzzer to give No. 5 Ohio State a 69-68 win over Michigan on Friday in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals. "You can't really practice for those moments, you just have to come out and come ready," he said. The Big Ten player of the year left his arm in the air after the release, confident that the long shot would fall. "I was just trying to get the ball up and get it in shooting range and keep my follow-through, and it went in," he said modestly. Turner finished with 18 points and eight assists for the Buckeyes (25-7), who advanced to play Illinois in the semifinals on Saturday. The Fighting Illini beat No. 13 Wisconsin 58-54 on Friday afternoon. Turner's final attempt was so close to the buzzer that the play was reviewed. When the officials signaled the shot was good, the red-clad section of the crowd erupted. Ohio State coach Thad Matta said he wasn't sure the Buckeyes deserved such good fortune. "It's funny because I was so mad kind of at how we had played throughout the course of the game. But as he let it go, I thought, 'That thing has got a chance to go in,'" he said. "As it kept going, going, going, boom, went in, and obviously I'm not sure it was supposed to go in with how we had played for 39 minutes and 57.8 seconds, but fortunately it did." Turner had shot 1 for 8 in the second half, but took the biggest shot of the game without hesitation. He was surprised that no one impeded his progress as he dribbled up the court. "Honestly I thought they were going to press or something like that,"" Turner said. "The whole game, they were swarming me. They gave me one good look. Being open felt a little bit free. I felt like I was in the gym by myself." Michigan coach John Beilein thought the shot was good right away. "It's not the first time I've heard that buzzer and saw that ball go in, and son of a gun, it looked in from the get-go, as well."" Michigan's Manny Harris hit a jumper from 11 feet with 2.2 seconds left to give Michigan a 68-66 lead. Harris led the Wolverines (15-17) with 26 points, and his big performance made the final result all the more disappointing for the Wolverines. "It definitely hurt,"" Harris said. ""We were excited (after his shot), but at the same time we knew anything could happen. They had two seconds, a lot of time to shoot and score, and that's what Evan Turner did."" Michigan began the season ranked 15th, but Friday's game was representative of the season for Wolverines. "That's a great catch phrase, microcosm of the season," Beilein said. "That's a little bit of the frustration that we have this year. Some things that you can't always control happen to you. It's certainly indicative of some things that happened." David Lighty and William Buford each scored 15 points for Ohio State. Stu Douglass and DeShawn Sims each had 16 points for Michigan. The Buckeyes led 39-29 early in the second half before back-to-back 3-pointers by Douglass chopped the Buckeyes' lead to 39-35. Another 3 by Douglass trimmed Ohio State's lead to 42-38, but Ohio State responded with a 9-0 run. A 3-pointer by Turner capped the spurt midway through the second half. Michigan surged again, and a 3-pointer by Harris while fading away from beyond the key cut Ohio State's lead to 59-57, leading to the frantic final minutes. Matta wasn't happy the Buckeyes let Michigan back in the game, and he hopes his team learned from the experience. "Hopefully this game can shake us, some of the cobwebs out, and get us back on track," he said.

Michigan to host Kent State in WNIT opener

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:28:00 +0000

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team received one of 33 at-large bids in the 64-team field of the Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) and will host Kent State in opening-round action on Friday (March 19) at 7 p.m. in Crisler Arena. This will be the eighth postseason appearance for the Wolverines in the 36-year history of the program, including the second WNIT appearance in three seasons. Ticket prices for the game are $6 for adults and $4 for seniors, students and children under 18. Tickets will go on sale beginning at noon on Tuesday (March 16). Please call (866) 296-MTIX (6849) or visit www.mgoblue.com/tickets. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door. "We are happy to be playing in the postseason and extending our season," said head coach Kevin Borseth. "You always want the opportunity to keep playing and that's what's ahead of us now. We'll get back in the gym and start preparing for our opponent." The winner of Friday's game will advance to the second round to face the winner of Pittsburgh and Toledo (date and time to be determined). Second-round games are scheduled for Saturday through Tuesday, March 20-23. All WNIT games will be played at campus sites. U-M makes its fourth appearance in the Postseason WNIT. The Wolverines made their first appearance in the tournament in 1999 and in first-round action traveled to Kalamazoo to take on Western Michigan, earning a 73-64 victory before coming home to host in-state rival Michigan State in Ann Arbor, a narrow 69-68 loss to the Spartans. Michigan returned to the tournament in 2002 and fell to Valparaiso, 62-49, in an opening-round game at Crisler Arena. U-M's last appearance in the tournament was in 2008 when it advanced to the quarterfinals, Michigan's first time advancing past the second round of a national tournament. The Wolverines defeated Virginia Commonwealth and Southern Mississippi before falling in overtime at Michigan State in quarterfinal action. Borseth is making his fourth appearance in the WNIT and his 18th overall postseason appearance in his 27-year head coaching career. Borseth led Wisconsin-Green Bay to nine consecutive postseason appearances. Borseth and his staff have guided the Wolverines to a 17-13 record this season, marking the program's second-highest win total in the last seven seasons. Michigan has beaten four ranked opponents in Borseth's tenure at Michigan, including defeating current No. 5 Xavier on the road this season. Michigan also won a Big Ten Tournament game for the second time under Borseth, downing Northwestern, 67-54, on March 4. Kent State, which also earned at at-large bid, is 20-10 overall, went 12-4 in Mid-American Conference play, and advanced to the semifinals of the MAC Championship, before falling to Toledo. This will be the third meeting between the two schools. U-M owns a 2-0 record and took a 79-63 win over the Golden Flashes in the last meeting during the 1980-81 season. MEDIA NOTE: The University of Michigan women's basketball team will hold a press conference at the conclusion of Tuesday's practice in the Crisler Arena Studio beginning at 4:30 p.m. Head coach Kevin Borseth will address the media and the players will be available for one-on-one interviews at this time.

Wolverines rally to sweep Spartans, 5-3

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:48:00 +0000

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan ice hockey team pulled off a 5-3 road comeback victory over Michigan State (No. 11 USA Today/No. 10 USCHO) on Saturday (March 13) at MSU's Munn Ice Arena. The win delivers a series sweep for the Maize and Blue in the CCHA Tournament quarterfinal round series. U-M advances to Joe Louis Arena for the semifinals of the tournament for the 21st straight season. For the second time in his young career, freshman right wing Chris Brown (Flower Mound, Texas) played the hero for the Wolverines as he broke a 3-3 stalemate at 2:40 of the third period. Brown also had the game-winner against MSU on Jan. 30. U-M added an empty-net goal in the final minute of regulation to seal the win. U-M bombarded the Spartans midway through the first period with a power-play goal from junior center Matt Rust (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) at 8:25, followed by an even-strength tally from freshman center A.J. Treais (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) at 8:46. Rust blasted a shot into the top right corner from his post in the right circle. Junior center Ben Winnett (New Westminster, B.C.) and sophomore defenseman Brandon Burlon (Nobleton, Ontario) got the assists. Twenty-one seconds later, sophomore right wing Luke Glendening (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and sophomore left wing David Wohlberg (South Lyon, Mich.) worked the puck in behind the MSU net. Wohlberg chipped the puck into the slot where Treais was alone and able to flip the puck past Drew Palmisano. Shellshocked, MSU elected to pull Palmisano in favor of Bobby Jarosz. Michigan could not stay out of the penalty box in the final five minutes of the opening period and MSU made U-M pay all three times. MSU got a break at 16:55 when an intended pass by Andrew Rowe hit a U-M defenseman and went in. Thirty-six seconds later, Rowe scored again, this time on a backhanded wraparound shot. Nick Sucharski made it 3-2 MSU with less than a second remaining in the period. The Spartan was nearly tied up in the low slot, but he got enough of a shot off to send it through junior goalie Shawn Hunwick's (Sterling Heights, Mich.) legs. At 3:54 of the second period, Winnett knotted the game at 3-3 with a perfect wrist shot during a power play. MSU nearly tipped the puck out of its zone, but Winnett stepped in from the blue line, eluded some pressure and fired high to Jarosz's stick side. With the teams skating four-on-four, senior defenseman Steve Kampfer (Jackson, Mich.) could have put U-M back in front at 5:20 when he got an open look in the right slot only to lift his shot too high and over the cross bar. U-M dominated the second stanza territorially, firing 16 shots on Jarosz, while MSU got just one shot on Hunwick. Michigan had a 32-10 shot advantage through 40 minutes. Brown jammed in his 13th goal of the season at 3:20 of the third period to put U-M ahead, 4-3. The Wolverines sent Brown as well as Treais and Brian Lebler to the front of the MSU net. Brown dug the puck free from the left side and banked it off the goalie and in. Michigan was unable to pad its lead with a power play that began with 11:51 to play. More importantly though, MSU went on its own power play with 8:58 remaining and U-M killed it off. Hunwick had five saves, including a tough shot by Chris Forfar through traffic and a clean wrist shot by Jeff Petry seconds later. Hunwick faced just one more official shot on goal in the final seven minutes as the Spartans buzzed around the U-M net. Wohlberg sealed the U-M win with an empty-net goal with 31 seconds left on the clock. The Wolverines are on to Joe Louis Arena for the CCHA Championship next weekend (Fri-Sat., March 19-20) and will face top-seeded Miami in a semifinal matchup at 8:05 p.m. on Friday (March 19).

Hot start helps Michigan down Michigan St.

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:44:00 +0000

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan ice hockey team recorded three first-period markers from its top two lines in a span of 6:29 and scored twice in the second period to beat Michigan State (No. 11 USA Today/No. 10 USCHO), 5-1, in the first game of the best-of-three CCHA quarterfinal series on Friday (March 12) at Munn Ice Arena. Michigan's three-goal offensive surge in the first period marked the fourth time in five periods that the Wolverines had potted three goals. The Maize and Blue boosted its lead to four 21 seconds into the middle stanza before allowing a tally with 5:29 remaining in the period. Michigan scored its fifth and final goal of the evening with 43 seconds left in the middle frame. The trio of goals began 7:06 into the opening period when junior left wing Carl Hagelin (Sodertajle, Sweden) scored his 17th goal of the season to hand the Wolverines a 1-0 lead. Hagelin nabbed the puck outside the U-M zone and raced in all alone on MSU netminder Drew Palmisano. He moved the puck from forehand to his backhand and quickly back to his forehand before lifting the puck over the goalkeeper on his stick side. The Maize and Blue's left winger on the second line, sophomore David Wohlberg (South Lyon, Mich.), made it a 2-0 game on an unassisted, backhanded shot at 10:18 in the first. Freshman defenseman Lee Moffie (Wallingford, Conn.) started the play by chipping the puck around the boards in the U-M zone where Wohlberg collected the puck along the right boards. It was off to the races with the 2009 CCHA Rookie of the Year beating a Spartan to backhand the puck past the Michigan State goaltender for his eighth goal of the campaign. Junior center Louie Caporusso (Woodbridge, Ontario) moved back into a tie atop the team goals-scored standings alongside Hagelin with 17 goals, tallying with 6:25 left in the frame. Caporusso carried the puck from atop the left faceoff circle toward the slot where he niftily dodged a defender to make room before releasing his shot that went over the Spartan goalie's shoulder into the upper left corner of the cage. The Wolverines extended their lead to four 21 seconds into the second period while on the power play. With freshman right wing Chris Brown (Flower Mound, Texas) down low screening Palmisano, senior defenseman Steve Kampfer (Jackson, Mich.) blasted the puck from the point after collecting a pass from junior defenseman Chad Langlais (Spokane, Wash.) to score his first career goal against Michigan State and his career-best third tally on the season. With 5:29 left in the middle frame, the Spartans scored their first goal of the evening while with the man-advantage bring it to a 4-1 Michigan lead. Defenseman Jeff Petry sent a shot from above the left faceoff circle with the puck deflecting off a Michigan forward's stick and then going off left wing Derek Grant to bypass junior netminder Shawn Hunwick (Sterling Heights, Mich.). Michigan responded with a late second-period tally, scoring with 43.4 seconds remaining in the frame to pad its lead to 5-1. Sophomore Luke Glendening (Grand Rapids, Mich.) was rushing up the right lane and the MSU goalie ventured into the right corner to shield the puck from Glendening, but Palmisano misjudged his speed as Glendening created a turnover and fed the puck to sophomore defenseman Brandon Burlon (Nobleton, Ontario) in the left faceoff circle. Burlon relayed the puck to Caporusso, who was standing alone outside the crease for an easy backhand goal as Palmisano scrambled back to the crease. The third period was mellow in comparison to the first 40 minutes of play with Michigan registering only seven shots on goal, while Hunwick recorded six saves in the final stanza to keep it a 5-1 final score. The Wolverines remain in East Lansing, Mich., to face off against Michigan State in game two of the CCHA quarterfinal round series on Saturday (March 13) at Munn Ice Arena. The game will be televised on Comcast with the puck dropping at 7:05 p.m.

Coastal Carolina shuts out Michigan, 3-0

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:28:00 +0000

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Senior pitcher Alan Oaks (White Lake, Mich./Divine Child) yielded just two earned runs, but the University of Michigan baseball team came up on the losing end of a 3-0 decision at No. 10-ranked Coastal Carolina on Sunday (March 14) at BB&T Coastal Field on the final day of the Caravelle Resort Classic. Oaks was solid through six-and-one-third innings of work for Michigan but suffered the loss. Oaks matched a season high with seven strikeouts while giving up three runs, two of which were earned, on six hits. Sophomore designated hitter Coley Crank (Pinole, Calif./Pinole Valley) led the Michigan offense with two hits. The Wolverines kept the game within one run through six innings, trailing 1-0. The Chanticleers added two runs in the bottom of the seventh on a solo home run and a sacrifice fly. U-M posed a threat in the top half of the eighth with bases loaded but could not get anyone across. Singles by Crank and senior rightfielder Nick Urban (Whitehall, Mich./Whitehall) provided a spark in the Michigan offense in the top of the ninth. U-M moved a runner to third base but was unable to push anyone across and the final score held up at 3-0. The Wolverines will return to action next weekend (Fri-Sun., March 19-21) when they travel to Port St. Lucie, Fla. Michigan will face Fordham for three games on Friday and Saturday (March 19-20) before taking on the New York Mets in an exhibition contest on Sunday (March 21).

Findlay lifts Wolverines to victory

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:00:00 +0000

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A heroic effort by Angela Findlay was the key element for the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines in a 7-3 victory over the No. 18 Louisville Cardinals (15-8) on Sunday at Ulmer Stadium in the Red & Black Tournament in eight innings. The game was a great place for Findlay to showcase her power as she drove two home runs out of the park for Michigan (18-4). The senior right fielder went 2-5 in the game with three RBIs and two runs scored. Findlay homered in the fifth and eighth innings. The game was tied in the eighth inning when Nikki Nemitz came to the plate against Chelsea Leonard with no outs and nobody on base, and knocked a solo-shot out of the park, which gave the Wolverines the lead for good. The Wolverines have been on a roll lately. They have won ten games in row. The Wolverines last lost on March 2 against Auburn. The Wolverines offense was spurred by a home run from Roya St. Clair in the third, in addition to Findlay's and Nemitz's home runs. Reliever Leonard took the loss for Louisville. She went four innings, gave up two walks, struck out two, and allowed four runs. Louisville showed signs of life in the second and third innings. After Colby Wherry walked the Cardinals were trailing by one in the second inning when Jordan Trimble came to the plate against Nemitz with two outs and a runner on second. She doubled scoring Wherry from second. After Vanessa James singled the Cardinals were trailing by one in the third when Chelsea Bemis came to the plate against Nemitz with two outs and a runner on second. She homered scoring James from second. Michigan's next game is on Thursday, March 18 against Arizona in Fullerton, Calif. in the Judi Garman Classic. Powered by Narrative Science Inc.

Michigan takes care of Hofstra

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:13:00 +0000

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Jordan Taylor helped the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines earn a 3-1 victory over the Hofstra Pride (10-3) on Sunday at Ulmer Stadium in the Red & Black Tournament. Nine strikeouts helped Taylor get the win for Michigan (17-4). She allowed one earned run on four hits and one walk over seven innings. The Wolverines have been on a roll lately. They have won nine games in row. The Wolverines last lost on Feb. 27 against Alabama. Bree Evans drove in two Wolverines runners. Evans singled in the second inning scoring Molly Bausher and Steph Kirkpatrick. Olivia Galati took the loss for Hofstra. She went six innings, gave up one walk, struck out four, and allowed three runs. Michigan's next game is on Sunday, March 14 against Louisville in Louisville, Ky. in the Red & Black Tournament. Powered by Narrative Science Inc.

Wolverines need 8 innings to put away Pride

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:32:00 +0000

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- It took eight innings but the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines managed to put away the Hofstra Pride, 4-3 on Saturday at Ulmer Stadium in the Red & Black Tournament. After Maggie Viefhaus walked the game was tied when Roya St. Clair came to the plate against Erin Wade with one out and runners on second and third. She reached on a fielding error by shortstop Trisha Dreslinski scoring Viefhaus from second and Bree Evans from third, which gave the Wolverines the lead for good. The Wolverines (16-4) have been on a roll lately. They have won seven games in row. The Wolverines last lost on March 2 against Auburn. Nikki Nemitz drove in two Wolverines runners. Nemitz homered in the second inning scoring Jaclyn Crummey. Wade was a workhorse in the circle for Hofstra (10-2). She pitched eight innings and allowed two earned runs, five hits and three walks while striking out none. Michigan scored in two innings to claim the victory. The Wolverines scored two runs in the second and two runs in the eighth. Hofstra scored in the first, fourth and eighth innings. After Michele DePasquale walked, Sara Michalowski walked and Laura Valentino singled, the game was tied in the first when Olivia Galati came to the plate against Nemitz with one out and the bases loaded. She hit into a fielder's choice scoring DePasquale from third. After Jess Hirschbuhl singled and Christie Novatin singled, the Pride were trailing by one in the fourth when Tessa Ziemba came to the plate against Nemitz with two outs and runners on first and second. She singled scoring Hirschbuhl from second to tie the game. The Pride were trailing by two in the eighth when Valentino came to the plate against Nemitz with no outs and a runner on third. She singled scoring Krista Thorn from third. Michigan closer Jordan Taylor got the final three outs to pick up the save. Michigan's next game is on Sunday, March 14 against Hofstra in Louisville, Ky. in the Red & Black Tournament. Powered by Narrative Science Inc.

Michigan gives up 17 hits in loss

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:57:00 +0000

CONWAY, S.C. -- Michigan had a tough outing against No. 7 Coastal Carolina on Saturday. Coastal Carolina cruised to a 13-4 landslide win over Michigan (6-8) at Watson Stadium in the Caravelle Resort Classic. The Chanticleers (13-2) did a good chunk of their damage in the sixth inning, scoring five runs. In the inning, reliever Brandon Sinnery gave up one run when Rico Noel hit into a fielder's choice. Later that inning, three runs came in when Jose Iglesias homered and a run came in when Tommy La stella singled. It was the worst loss for Michigan since their 18-5 loss to Texas Tech on Feb. 21. Iglesias drove in five Chanticleers runners. He went 3-4 at the plate. In addition to his home run in the sixth, Iglesias doubled in the eighth inning scoring Noel and Scott Woodward. The Wolverines offense was spurred by a home run from Derek Dennis in the seventh. Anthony Meo got the win for Coastal Carolina. He allowed two runs over six innings. The sophomore pitcher struck out four, gave up two walks and surrendered six hits. Bobby Brosnahan took the loss for Michigan. He went five innings, gave up one walk, struck out five, and allowed six runs. Noel, Adam Rice and Steve Davis helped lead the Chanticleers. They combined for eight hits, five RBIs and five runs scored. Five runs made the eighth a key inning for the Chanticleers. In addition to Iglesias's double, reliever Kyle Clark gave up one run on a Davis home run. Later that inning, two runs came in when Rice tripled. Michigan's next game is on Sunday, March 14 against Coastal Carolina in Conway/Myrtle Beach, S.C. in the Caravelle Resort Classic. Powered by Narrative Science Inc.

Michigan wins wild one, 17-14

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:51:00 +0000

CONWAY, S.C. -- Lipscomb failed to take advantage of great day from Cory Hale on Saturday, losing 17-14 to Michigan (6-7) at Watson Stadium in the Caravelle Resort Classic. Hale rocked Michigan with two home runs on Saturday. The junior third baseman went 3-4 in the game with five RBIs and three runs scored. Hale homered in the fourth and fifth innings. Michigan and Lipscomb (5-9) played a high-scoring game Saturday. The two teams combined for 31 runs and 30 hits, including five extra base hits. Eight pitchers were used in the game as the two managers searched for any way to finish the game. It was the most combined runs in a Michigan game this season. Michigan starter Travis Smith struggled, allowing five runs in two innings, but the bullpen allowed nine runs and the offense banged out 19 hits to pick up the slack and secure the win for the Wolverines. Even though Smith was battered by the Bisons, he still managed to survive in the end. Reliever Matt Broder got the win for Michigan. He allowed one run over one-third of an inning. The freshman pitcher struck out none, gave up one walk and surrendered no hits. The Wolverines offense was powered by the long ball. Home runs came from Nick Urban in the second and Derek Dennis in the third. Dannie Strable lasted just one-third of an inning on the mound for the Bisons before being replaced. He allowed five hits and eight runs. The Wolverines pummeled Bisons pitching as seven hitters combined for 14 hits, seven runs batted in and 21 visits to home plate to help lead Michigan to victory. Four relief pitchers finished off the game for Michigan. Broder faced four batters in relief out of the bullpen, while Kevin Vangheluwe managed to record six outs to aid the victory. Ten runs made the first a key inning for the Wolverines. In the inning, Strable gave up one run on a Chris Berset single. Later that inning, two runs came in when Garrett Stephens doubled and Mike Dufek singled and runs came in when Coley Crank flew out, Berset walked, Anthony Toth was hit by a pitch and Patrick Biondi and Dufek singled. The Bisons scored six runs in the third. In the inning Tyler Wilson came home on a balk. Later that inning, runs came in when Ryan Wilkins, Kyle Henry and Wilson was hit by a pitch and Ricky Coleman and Lee Wilson walked. Michigan's next game is on Saturday, March 13 against Coastal Carolina in Conway/Myrtle Beach, S.C. in the Caravelle Resort Classic. Powered by Narrative Science Inc.

Wolverines comeback stuns Cardinals

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:23:00 +0000

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The No. 5 Wolverines trailed by five in the second, but Angela Findlay was able to get them back on track with a single in the fifth inning, which spurred Michigan to a 9-5 win over the No. 18 Louisville Cardinals (15-7) at Ulmer Stadium in the Red & Black Tournament on Saturday. After a fielding error by second baseman Amanda Chidester and a fielder's choice, the Cardinals were leading by one and had runners on second and third with two outs. Jordan Taylor then got Alicja Wolny to strike out to end the threat. That moment in the second inning turned the game around and set up Michigan's opportunity to claim the victory in the fifth. After Steph Kirkpatrick doubled, Molly Bausher hit into a fielder's choice and Bree Evans walked, the game was tied when Findlay came to the plate against Kristen Wadwell with one out and the bases loaded. She singled scoring Bausher from second and Kirkpatrick from third, which gave the Wolverines the lead for good. Findlay drove in two Wolverines (15-4) runners. She went 2-3 at the plate. It was the most combined runs in a Michigan game since their 10-6 loss to Alabama on Feb. 27. The Wolverines have been on a roll lately. They have won six games in row. The game against Alabama was their last loss. Jordan Trimble drove in three Cardinals runners. Trimble homered in the second inning scoring Katelyn Mann and Chelsea Jordan. Taylor got the win for Michigan. She allowed five runs over seven innings. The junior pitcher struck out 11, gave up three walks and surrendered seven hits. Reliever Wadwell took the loss for Louisville. She went three innings, gave up one walk, struck out two, and allowed five runs. Evans and Nikki Nemitz helped lead the Wolverines. They combined for four hits, five runs batted in and two visits to home plate. Michigan's next game is on Saturday, March 13 against Hofstra in Louisville, Ky. in the Red & Black Tournament. Powered by Narrative Science Inc.

Wolverines score 12 in high-scoring contest

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:20:00 +0000

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Basepaths were burned at BB&T Coastal Field in the Caravelle Resort Classic on Friday as Michigan and Ball State put 20 runs on the board. The Wolverines won the offensive battle 12-8 over the Cardinals (4-10). The two teams combined for 31 hits. Michigan (5-7) starter Matt Miller struggled, allowing six runs in four innings, but the bullpen allowed two runs and the offense banged out 17 hits to pick up the slack and secure the victory for the Wolverines. Coley Crank drove in three Wolverines runners. He went 3-4 at the plate. Crank flew out in the first inning scoring Anthony Toth and singled in the second inning scoring Patrick Biondi and Derek Dennis. Reliever Michael Sandman took the loss for Ball State. He went two innings, gave up no walks, struck out none, and allowed three runs. The fifth was a key inning for the Cardinals. In the inning, Miller gave up two runs on a Kolbrin Vitek single. Later that inning, runs came in when Kory Benbow hit into a fielder's choice and Ian Nielsen, Blake Beemer and Stephen Claypool singled. With the victory Michigan snapped a three game losing streak. The victory was the first for Michigan since March 3 against Florida Gulf Coast. Michigan's next game is on Saturday, March 13 against Lipscomb n the Caravelle Resort Classic. Powered by Narrative Science Inc.

Michigan holds off Iowa, 59-52

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:29:00 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS(AP) Manny Harris had 22 points and nine rebounds to help Michigan defeat Iowa 59-52 on Thursday in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. DeShawn Sims added 14 points for the Wolverines (15-16), who advanced to play No. 5 Ohio State on Friday in the quarterfinals. Iowa freshman Cully Payne scored a season-high 25 points and made five 3-pointers for Iowa (10-22). He had scored a combined four points his previous two games. He was 9 for 16 from the field, but the rest of the team shot 13 for 40. Matt Gatens added 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Hawkeyes. Michigan had lost four of its previous five games but won all three games against the Hawkeyes this season. Iowa closed the season by losing six of seven.

Morgan helps Michigan State claim share of crown

Sun, 7 Mar 2010 15:22:00 +0000

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Tom Izzo had just become the sixth coach in Big Ten history with at least six conference championships, and he didn't even realize it. "Really? That's the one thing I don't keep track of," Izzo said after No. 12 Michigan State beat Michigan 64-48 Sunday to finish the regular season in a three-way tie. "I keep track of national championships, and I want more of those." If Raymar Morgan can maintain his momentum, the Spartans will have a shot to give Izzo his second national title and the school its third. Morgan scored 13 of his season-high 22 points in the first half, helping Michigan State build an 18-point lead that it used to cruise to an easy victory against its overmatched rival. The senior forward -- whose career has been marked by inconsistency -- averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds over the last four games. "If he plays like he's been playing lately, the sky is the limit for us and we can get back to the Final Four," teammate Kalin Lucas said. Michigan State has advanced to the Final Four a nation-best five times in the previous 11 NCAA tournaments. The Spartans (24-7, 14-4 Big Ten) shared the conference championship with Ohio State and Purdue, winning their second straight title and sixth since Izzo was promoted to replace Jud Heathcote for the 1994-95 season. They will be the third-seeded team at this week's Big Ten tournament behind the top-seeded Buckeyes and Boilermakers. "I can enjoy this one right now because it was the toughest of the six to get," Izzo said shortly after the school's 12th Big Ten championship banner was hoisted to the Breslin Center's rafters. "We were picked to win it, which makes it hard, then we had to overcome some setbacks along the way." The Wolverines' season has been full of setbacks since being ranked No. 15 in The Associated Press preseason poll, and the lowlight might've been getting routed at Michigan State after a 28-point win over Minnesota. "It was really disappointing and frustrating, but never discouraging," Michigan coach John Beilein said. "It was over real early." Michigan failed to live up to high expectations, slumping to a .500 record after six games and following up a win over then-No. 15 Connecticut two months ago by going 4-9. The Wolverines (14-16, 7-11) will have to make a stunning appearance in the Big Ten tournament final to avoid a losing record and would have to win that postseason title to earn a second consecutive bid to the NCAA tournament. They will be seeded eighth and matched up with ninth-seeded Iowa on Thursday. "It's a different season now," DeShawn Sims said. "We have nothing to lose." That's one way to look at it. Michigan might not even earn a spot in the NIT and might be relegated to the College Basketball Invitational or CollegeInsider.com Tournament. Beilein looked as upset as he's been in three seasons on Sunday, but he refused to sound defeated. "We have a plan and we're working on it," Beilein said. "I'm very confident in the plan." Michigan's Manny Harris and Sims made only one shot each in the first half as their team matched a Big Ten-low with 14 points, outscoring Morgan by only a point. Harris missed nine of 10 shots, finishing with four points, and Sims scored just nine. "This is definitely one of the best places to play," Sims said of the Breslin Center, where the Spartans have won 18 of 21 against their rival. "They definitely put on a show." Harris has said he plans to return for his senior season, but declined to say if he just played his last regular-season game for Michigan. "I'm not thinking about that right now," he said. "I'm going to the Big Ten tournament to try to win the whole thing. Then, I'll think about the future." It took a look at the Big Ten's past to figure out who's in Izzo's company. He became the first coach to win at least six conference titles in his first 15 seasons since Bob Knight won seven during the same span at Indiana. Knight finished with 11 championships with the Hoosiers from 1971-2000, matching the Big Ten record set by Purdue's Ward "Piggy" Lambert. The other coaches with at least six Big Ten titles are Minnesota's Walter Meanwell, Ohio State's Fred Taylor and Purdue's Gene Keady. If Izzo gets his wish of a national title, he and the program will be in elite company. Izzo would trail just John Wooden, Adolph Rupp, Bobby Knight and Mike Krzyzewski on the list of coaches with multiple titles, and Michigan State would join UCLA, Kentucky, Indiana, North Carolina, Duke and Kansas are the only programs with at least three championships. "Right now we're better than I give us credit for," Izzo said. "But not as good as I think we can be."

Michigan can't capitalize vs. No. 12 North Carolina

Sun, 7 Mar 2010 23:07:00 +0000

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The University of Michigan baseball team pounded out nine hits but stranded nine runners on base as it fell at No. 12-ranked North Carolina, 9-1, on Sunday afternoon (March 7) at Boshamer Stadium. Senior catcher Chris Berset (Vienna, Va./Heights School), senior/junior second baseman Anthony Toth (Lorain, Ohio/St. Ignatius) and sophomore third baseman John Lorenz (Frankfurt, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) each had two-hit afternoons for the Maize and Blue. Berset had Michigan's lone run batted in, driving in freshman centerfielder Patrick Biondi (Woodhaven, Mich./Divine Child) in the first inning. Michigan's first three batters reached, producing a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Biondi was issued a free pass and moved to third on a hit and run that Toth parachuted into rightfield. Berset then laced a ball into rightfield to easily score Biondi from third base. UNC answered with two runs in the bottom of the first and threatened again in the second before a double play ended the inning and kept the score at 2-1. UNC put two runs on the board in the first and fourth innings to take a 4-1 lead. The Tar Heels blew the game open in the sixth frame, scoring five runs to take a commanding 9-1 edge. Michigan returns to the Carolinas next weekend (March 12-14) for the Caravelle Resort Classic hosted by Costal Carolina. The Wolverines will play two games at BB&T Coastal Field, home of the Single A (Advanced) Myrtle Beach Pelicans sandwiched around a Saturday (March 13) doubleheader at Watson Stadium.

No. 7 Michigan shuts out South Carolina, 8-0

Sun, 7 Mar 2010 12:43:00 +0000

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The No. 7 Michigan Wolverines finished off their 8-0 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks (9-9) in emphatic fashion on Sunday. The Wolverines (14-4) scored one run in the fifth inning. In the fifth, reliever Kierstyn White gave up two runs on a Angela Findlay single. Later that inning, two runs came in when Dorian Shaw singled. Findlay drove in three Wolverines runners. She went 2-3 at the plate. In addition to her single in the fourth, Findlay homered in the third inning. Michigan is used to seeing big plays from Findlay, who has been solid this season with a OPS of .949. On the season she has 19 hits in 57 at bats. She has driven in 22 runners and scored 15 runs. South Carolina was unable to make good contact against Stephanie Speierman. The Gamecocks managed no hits off of the freshman relief pitcher. Speierman allowed no earned runs, no walks and struck out three during her three innings of work. Ashley Chastain lasted just one-third of an inning in the circle for the Gamecocks before being replaced. She allowed three hits and two runs. The Wolverines have been on a roll lately. They have won six games in row. The Wolverines last lost on Feb. 27 against Alabama. Michigan's next game is on Saturday, March 13 against Louisville in Louisville, Ky. in the Red & Black Tournament. Powered by Narrative Science Inc.

Michigan drills Lake Superior St., completes sweep

Sat, 6 Mar 2010 21:55:00 +0000

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan ice hockey swept Lake Superior State with a 6-0 win on Saturday (March 6) at Yost Ice Arena to advance to the CCHA Tournament's quarterfinal round. A hat trick from junior center Louie Caporusso (Woodbridge, Ontario) and two second-period goals from junior left wing Carl Hagelin (Sodertalje, Sweden) provided most of the offense in the 6-0 triumph. In his third straight start, junior netminder Shawn Hunwick (Sterling Heights, Mich.) turned away 28 shots to earn his first career shutout. The Wolverines finished the game with a 46-28 shot advantage. Caporusso's first goal of the night put the Wolverines up first 6:37 into the opening frame on an unassisted, wrap-around goal during four-on-four play. The center won the draw in the left faceoff circle and carried the puck forward before fanning on a shot outside the crease. He continued with the puck, wrapping around the net and sneaking the puck into the cage before LSSU goalkeeper Brian Mahoney-Wilson had a chance to slide over to the left side of the crease. Freshman left wing Jeff Rohrkemper (Grosse Pointe, Mich.) scored his first career goal to give Michigan a 2-0 advantage with six minutes remaining in the first period. Junior defenseman Chad Langlais (Spokane, Wash.) carried the puck into the LSSU zone and tried to get a shot off from the top of the left faceoff circle, but the puck was deflected by a defender to Rohrkemper rushing up the slot. Rohrkemper teed off the shot, sending the puck into the upper right corner of the cage to pot his first point wearing the Maize and Blue. Caporusso earned his 10th career multi-goal game and third of the season to put the Wolverines up 3-0 just 1:33 after Rohrkemper's marker. He threw the puck on the net backhanded as he muscled past a LSSU defender in the right faceoff circle. Caporusso's shot went off an LSSU defenseman's stick and then the player's knee, pushing the puck under the Lakers goalie as the defenseman fell into him. After a lengthy review, the referees determined that the puck did cross the line before the net was knocked off its moorings. It took Caporusso only 46 seconds after the opening faceoff of the middle frame to net his first career hat trick at Yost and his third overall. The hats rained down at Yost Ice Arena after Caporusso ripped a shot from above the inner right hash marks of the right faceoff circle. The puck rocketed into the upper left of the cage, pushing Michigan's lead to four. After a U-M pass was broken up, senior defenseman Steve Kampfer (Jackson, Mich.) was able to keep the puck in the LSSU zone just inside the blue line. He brought the puck up to the goal line along the left boards before centering a pass toward Hagelin. The puck appeared to go off an LSSU defenseman's stick and went above the goalie with Hagelin batting the puck in to ensure the goal and a 5-0 lead with 5:42 left in the second period. Two minutes and 31 seconds later, Hagelin recorded his second goal of the evening to match a career high on a wrap-around of his own, squeezing the puck underneath the right leg of the LSSU goaltender. The play started when Hagelin swatted the puck to the back boards where junior center Matt Rust (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) battled for the puck. Hagelin picked up the loose puck from behind the net before wrapping the puck around for the marker, padding U-M's advantage to six. The Wolverines were kept off the board in the third period despite getting 12 shots on goal and Hunwick was able to stand tall in net to earn his first career shutout. The Wolverines will continue into the quarterfinal round of the CCHA Tournament on the road next Friday against Michigan State should No. 5 seed Alaska beat No. 12 seed Western Michigan. If WMU gets the series win, Michigan will face off against Ferris State next weekend. MGoBlue.com will have more information once the first round of the tournament is completed later this weekend.

No. 7 Michigan holds off Alabama, 4-2

Sat, 6 Mar 2010 20:48:00 +0000

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The No. 7 Michigan Wolverines held off the Alabama Crimson Tide for a 4-2 upset victory at UA Softball Complex in the Easton SEC/Midwest Challenge on Saturday. No. 6 Alabama (13-5) was unable to overcome a three-run fourth inning deficit. The Crimson Tide tried to rally in the fifth and seventh innings, putting up two runs. In the fifth, Jordan Taylor gave up one run on a Kristin Larsen home run. In the seventh, Taylor gave up one run on a Amanda Locke home run. Ten strikeouts helped Taylor get the victory for Michigan (13-4). She allowed two earned runs on four hits and no walks over seven innings. Dorian Shaw drove in three Wolverines runners. She went 2-3 at the plate. Shaw homered in the third inning scoring Roya St. Clair and Maggie Viefhaus. Michigan scored in two innings to claim the victory. The Wolverines scored three runs in the third and one run in the seventh. In the seventh, Charlotte Morgan gave up one run on a Angela Findlay single. The Wolverines have been on a roll lately. They have won five games in row. The Wolverines last lost on Feb. 27 against Alabama. Michigan's next game is on Sunday, March 7 against South Carolina in Tuscaloosa, Ala. in the Easton SEC/Midwest Challenge. Powered by Narrative Science Inc.

Michigan rally falls short against No. 12 UNC

Sat, 6 Mar 2010 19:17:00 +0000

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The No. 12 North Carolina Tar Heels held off the Michigan Wolverines for a 7-6 win at Boshamer stadium on Saturday. Michigan (4-6) was unable to overcome a five-run fifth inning deficit. The Wolverines clawed back in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings, putting up five runs. In the seventh, Jimmy Messer gave up one run on a Patrick Biondi triple. Later that inning, runs came in when Anthony Toth flew out. In the eighth, Chris Munnelly gave up one run on a Patrick Biondi single. In the ninth, Munnelly gave up two runs on a Chris Berset home run. Patrick Johnson earned the win for North Carolina (9-1). He allowed one run over six innings. The junior pitcher struck out two, gave up four walks and surrendered six hits. Michigan was unable to make good contact against Greg Holt. The Wolverines managed one hit off of the junior pitcher. Holt allowed no earned runs, no walks and struck out two during his two-thirds of an inning of work. Matt Miller took the loss for Michigan. He went three innings, gave up two walks, struck out four, and allowed six runs. Michigan's next game is on Sunday, March 7 at North Carolina. Powered by Narrative Science Inc.

No. 7 Michigan knocks off S. Carolina, 1-0

Sat, 6 Mar 2010 14:17:00 +0000

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Neither Nikki Nemitz nor Kelsey Goodwin could grab the upper hand for seven innings, but eventually Nemitz and No. 7 Michigan grabbed the 1-0 win over Goodwin and South Carolina (8-8) at UA Softball Complex in the Easton SEC/Midwest Challenge on Saturday. Michigan (12-4) was unable to make good contact against Goodwin. The Wolverines managed two hits off of the sophomore pitcher. Goodwin allowed one earned run, one walk and struck out four during her seven innings of work. A key to Goodwin's strong performance was her solid pitching with runners on base. She allowed no hits in five at bats. The Gamecocks weren't able to score a run off of Nemitz during her seven innings on the mound. She allowed five hits, one walk and struck out six. Maggie Viefhaus stole home in the seventh inning to give the Wolverines the winning run. The Gamecocks best chance to score was in the fifth inning. The game was tied when Audrey Broyles came to the plate against Nemitz with two outs and a runner on second, but she flew out. The Wolverines have been on a roll lately. They have won four games in row. The Wolverines last lost on Feb. 27 against Alabama. Michigan faces off against No. 8 Alabama this afternoon at 4PM CST. Powered by Narrative Science Inc.