Detroit vs. U-M Dearborn Game 1 (HTML)

Detroit vs. U-M Dearborn Game 2 (HTML)

After scheduling a last-minute doubleheader against the University of Michigan-Dearborn (10-4) for Friday afternoon, the UDM (2-6) softball team got out to an early lead and didn't look back in the first game en route to a 9-2 win, but the Titans tumbled in the second game and fell to the Wolves, 10-2, in six innings. 

Already holding a 2-0 advantage after putting one run in each the first and fourth innings, the Titans broke the game wide open with four in the fifth. A shot by sophomore third baseman Renee Zaccagni (Macomb, MI/Dakota) was mishandled by U-M Dearborn's leftfielder, and advanced to third on a double by senior Erica Houthoofd (Univonville, MI/Unionville-Sebewaing Area). 

Then, with runners on second and third, senior catcher Jessica Liebner (Ortonville, MI/Brandon) cleared the bases with a deep fly ball over the fence in left field. Sophomore shortstop Rachel Copple (Dearborn Hts., MI/Allen Park Cabrini) roped a single after the Wolves made a pitching change, and came into score when the next batter, freshman Katie Schaus (Unionville, MI/Unionville-Sebewaing Area) doubled off the wall. 

Liebner's home run was the second of the game for the Titans. Sophomore Kara Spinelli (Newman, CA/Orestimba) homered to lead off the fourth inning for the Titans and put the lead at 2-0.
Detroit took the lead in the first inning after freshman pitcher Anna Bondy (Newport, MI/Carleton-Airport) sat the Wolves down in order in the top of the inning. With the bases loaded a wild pitch brought sophomore second baseman Melissa Barrett (Taylor, MI/Kennedy). 

Bondy went the distance for the Titans, allowing six hits and two runs while striking out two and improving her record to 2-2 on the season. Bondy held the Wolves off the scoreboard until the sixth inning when designated player Marisa Jensen homered following an error that allowed third baseman Kady Cooper to reach base. But, with lead cut to 6-2, the UDM answered right back and tacked on three more insurance runs in the sixth. Copple led the Titans with three hits and one run batted in the first game, while Liebner and Schaus added two hits apiece. Detroit outhit the U-M Dearborn 11-6 in the game. 

The second game was a different story, as the Titans' bats went cold following their game one explosion. Wolves pitcher Jen Elliott hadn't given up a hit and U-M Dearborn held a 10-0 lead going into the bottom of the sixth inning. 

Zaccagni finally got the Titans offense going with a single to lead off the inning. Elliott recorded a pair of quick outs and it looked like UDM was about to be blanked, but Liebner doubled Zaccagni in, and a Bondy single made the score 10-2. Patience at the plate drew a pair of walks and the Titans looked to be in good shape, with the bases loaded and the momentum in their favor, but Elliott managed to record her eighth strikeout of the game to end the Detroit rally and the game. 

Spinelli got the starting nod in the circle in game two, going 5.1 innings before giving way to Bondy who pitched 0.2 innings. 

Detroit will be in action again at Buysse Ballpark on Wednesday, hosting the Central Michigan Chippewas in a twinbill with the first game beginning at 2:00 p.m.