Somewhere between the Michigan softball team's its first game of the weekend — an extra-inning, 3-2 loss to Louisville and its last — a 13-0 five-inning mercy-rule shutout of Tennessee Tech — things started to click.

In just four games, the Wolverines found their stride.

“A team that plays with confidence plays twice as good as a team without confidence,” Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said. “In the Tennessee Tech game, they played like they practice. It was very pleasing to watch.”

Michigan finished 3-1 at the two-day University of Louisville Tournament in Louisville, Ky. After a close loss Saturday morning to Louisville, the Wolverines finished the day by pulling out a 3-0 shutout with a complete-team effort against Bradley.

Not only did junior pitcher Nikki Nemitz strike out 11 against the Braves, but the entire defensive field played with increased confidence. Nemitz’s performance boosted her to fifth place for career strikeouts at Michigan.

After an 11-hour, two-game day, with the Wolverines arrived at their hotel with just enough time for a good night’s sleep before Sunday’s back-to-back games.

While playing four games in a weekend is both physically and mentally taxing, it is useful for the team to prepare for the demanding tournament schedules.

“It’s what we were trained to do,” Hutchins said. “It is as hard as they make it. They are all very capable. We often play five games in a weekend, so these kids need to get a lot of credit for the amount of time they put into the sport.”

On Sunday, the Wolverines’ confidence continued to build and Hutchins said the players began to trust themselves and their teammates.

Michigan won the day’s first game 3-2 against Ohio, and scored a season-high 13 run against Tennessee Tech.

Sophomore pitcher Jordan Taylor threw her second-career no-hitter against Tennessee Tech, a result of a shared team effort.

Junior right fielder Angela Findlay had a season-high three hits and junior centerfielder Molly Bausher had three RBI.

“We needed our confidence and demeanor to get better, and I think it did,” Hutchins said. “Their attitude and their approach to the game – how they approach each pitch. We are looking to be a team that approaches each pitch with confidence, and we got a little better at being confident. There is a certain air and swagger by the team that trusts that they can do that.”