No. 8 Michigan tops Iowa State behind Sappingfield's trio of hits

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Eighth-ranked University of Michigan triumphed over the Iowa State Cyclones, 6-4, on Sunday on the strength of three hits and three runs batted in by senior Nicole Sappingfield on the final day of the Class Act Federal Credit Classic held at Ulmer Stadium. Michigan's next scheduled game with Louisville was cancelled due to inclement weather.

Sappingfield got the scoring started in the third on a two-out single. The senior swatted a base hit into left field scoring senior Lyndsay Doyle from third -- who reached on her first triple of the year.

Sappingfield struck again in the fifth with a sharp grounder through the right side that scored Doyle. The senior tandem followed the script again in the sixth with another two-out hit from Sappingfield. This time Sappingfield lofted a single into left-center that plated Doyle and sophomore Kelsey Susalla.

Susalla had U-M's other RBI in the game, on a pinch-hit double in the sixth.

The Cyclones scored one in the fourth, one in the fifth and two in sixth off starting pitcher Haylie Wagner -- but only one run was earned. Wagner pitched 5.2 innings and gave up eight hits, but it was good enough for her 13th win of the season. Junior Sara Driesenga finished the game for her third save of the year.

Blustery winds and dropping temperatures plagued both teams late in the game, leading to several wild pitches and passed balls. Tournament officials made the decision to cancel the remaining games of the tournament, which included Michigan's contest with Louisville.