Published March 7, 2005
It looks as though nothing can stop the No. 7 Michigan softball team.
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The Wolverines went 12-0 over break while finishing in second place at the NFCA Leadoff Classic and winning the USF Louisville Slugger Classic. Michigan (21-1 overall) had a chance to win the NFCA Tournament, but the final day was rained out, and Oklahoma won by default.
The USF Classic finished with a happier ending for the Wolverines, as a 9-0 victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday capped off a perfect tournament. After the team scored one run in the first, junior Jessica Merchant led the offensive charge for Michigan. She belted a three-run homer, her sixth of the season, helping the Wolverines to a five-run inning on their way to victory. Merchant hit a two-run double in the fifth, giving her 19 RBI on the year.
Solid pitching also helped Michigan continue its 21-game winning streak. Sophomore Lorilyn Wilson pitched a one-hitter against Pittsburgh to increase her record to 8-0. Earlier in the week, junior Jennie Ritter tossed two no-hitters over the course of four days. Ritter led Michigan to a 9-0 victory over South Florida on Friday after besting No. 15 Florida on Monday, 4-0.
The Wolverines now have an 11-day break until they open up again versus Cal State-Fullerton in the KIA Classic on March 17.
