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Posted on Wed, Mar 21, 2012 : 9:49 p.m.

Michigan softball team beats Eastern Michigan 10-2 in home opener

By AnnArbor.com Staff


Amanda Chidester’s grand slam highlighted an eight-run third inning as the Michigan softball team beat Eastern Michigan 10-2 in five innings Wednesday at the Wilpon Softball Complex.

Chidester, a senior third baseman, was 1-for-2 with four RBIs for the Wolverines (18-9). The grand slam was her fifth home run of the season.

Sara Driesenga added a two-run home run in the third. She also earned the victory for the Wolverines, allowing two unearned runs on three hits with three strikeouts in five innings to improve to 5-5.

"Having baserunners was my favorite part of the game tonight," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins told MGoBlue.com. "Chiddy doesn't hit a grand slam without runners on base. You know the best thing about Sara's home run? KP (Stephanie Kirkpatrick) was on base. That was fantastic."

Eastern Michigan’s Jenna Ignowski allowed one earned run on three hits in 1 2/3 innings for the Eagles (9-15). Lindsay Rich and Lauren Wells came in relief for Ignowski, and allowed eight earned runs between them.

Second baseman Nellie Coquillard was 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored, and third baseman Jessica Richards was 1-for-3 with a run scored for the Eagles.

Michigan opens Big Ten play at home Saturday against Penn State.