NU takes care of business; Michigan out

BIG TEN SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT

The dream matchup of Big Ten softball co-champions Northwestern and Michigan isn't going to materialize.

The 12th-ranked Wildcats took care of business Thursday, using an eight-run fourth inning to eliminate 2007 champion Ohio State 8-0 in five innings. But in the tournament opener, Michigan State stunned No. 6 Michigan 2-1 at Sharon J. Drysdale Field in Evanston.

The tournament continues today with Iowa playing Illinois and Minnesota facing Purdue before the semifinals at 2 and 4:30 p.m.

Northwestern (35-13) broke a scoreless tie in the fourth when nine consecutive batters reached. After Kelly Quinn drove in the first run, Darcy Sengewald drove in one, pinch hitter Emily Haug two, Michelle Batts one and Nicole Pauley two with a double.

''Since we have balance, I really didn't have pressure on me,'' said Quinn, a freshman from Glenbrook North. ''Erin and Kelly Dyer did the work; all I had to do was get a single.''

Sophomore Lauren Delaney (32-8), the Big Ten pitcher of the year, had a one-hitter and struck out seven. The only jam she faced was in the first inning, when the Buckeyes (33-23) had runners and second and third with one out.

But on a grounder to a drawn-in infield, junior shortstop Tammy Williams, the Big Ten player of the year, fired a perfect throw to catcher Erin Dyer to cut down the runner.

''The first game of any tournament is the toughest,'' NU coach Kate Drohan said. ''Getting out of the first inning was a key. Then Quinny's hit opened things up for us.''

Michigan State (27-28) won on Jessica Bracamonte's two-out RBI single in the sixth. Michigan fell to 48-6.

''That was typical of Big Ten softball,'' Drohan said. ''It was a gentle reminder to take it one game at a time.''