Michigan needed only 1:15 to blow past Michigan State 10-0 in a mercy-rule shortened five innings at Alumni Field. Sophomore, Nikki Nemitz (20-2) led the way pitching five shutout innings, lowering her ERA to 0.65 and picking up her 20th win of the season. Nemitz has won 20 games in each of her first two seasons as a Wolverines.
With the win, the Nemitz/Jordan Taylor duo became the fastest Wolverine tandem to reach the 20 win mark in a season as it took the pair just 46 games to do so. The previous record was set last season when Lorilyn Wilson and Nemitz each won their 20th in the 50th game of the season.
Sam Findlay started off the scoring for Michigan in the third inning as she parked a solo shot in the Spartan bullpen in left. Findlay is 2nd in the country now with 17 home runs. The Wolverines would add four more in the fourth, highlighted by Allie Giampaolo's double off the top of the wall in right-center.
Nemitz's success didn't end in the circle as she would help her own cause in a big way, going 2-3 with 5 RBI. Nemitz ended the game in the fifth inning blasting her 2nd home run of the season and her first ever grand slam over the foul pole in right. The celebration was delayed however, as the fans (and broadcasters) had to wait and see whether the ball would be called fair or foul.
Michigan will wrap up the home-and-home series against their cross-state rivals tomorrow at noon in East Lansing. The nation's ERA leader, Jordan Taylor (22-2, 0.53) will get the start for Michigan. The Wolverines then return home on Sunday for an important double-header with #12 Northwestern. First game starts at noon and it should be a great day of softball between the two teams tied atop the Big 10 Conference Standings. We'll have both games for you on WCBN.
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