Nelson, Dunmire Lead AU Past SVSU in GLIAC Softball Tourney Opener; Repeat Performance Gets Win Over Wayne State
May 2, 2003

Ashland 3, Saginaw Valley State 0

Junior Josie Nelson pitched a no-hitter and drove in three runs as Ashland won its opening game in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament, 3-0 over Saginaw Valley State on Friday (May 2).

The victory moved AU to the second round of the tourney. Ashland will now play the winner of the Wayne State-Hillsdale game. AU’s second game was slated to begin at approximately 7 p.m., Friday. Saginaw Valley State is serving as the host of this year’s GLIAC tournament.

Nelson had 15 strikeouts in Friday’s opening victory. The win raised her record to 23-5. Ashland is 37-14. A year ago, AU won the GLIAC tournament, which was played in Ashland.

Senior designated hitter Ann Dunmire belted a three-run homer. The roundtripper was her third of the season.

Ashland 2, Wayne State 0

Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference fans are living the Bill Murray movie, “Groundhog Day.”

The same scene keeps coming back for GLIAC foes of the Ashland University Eagles. Junior pitcher Josie Nelson dominates from the mound and senior Ann Dunmire delivers a clutch hit.

That scenario played out again early Friday (May 2) evening as the Ashland University Eagles stopped Wayne State, 2-0 in the second round of the GLIAC softball tournament at Saginaw Valley State. Ashland, now 38-14, will play top-seeded Grand Valley State on Saturday (May 3) at 11 a.m. AU is the tourney’s third seed. GVSU holds a 2-0 edge over the Eagles this season.

Nelson fired a four-hitter with 14 strikeouts to tame the Warriors. Earlier in the day, Nelson pitched a no-hitter to down Saginaw Valley State. Dunmire, who homered and had three RBI in Friday’s first game, ripped a solo shot against WSU. AU’s other run came on a solo homer from freshman catcher-outfielder Nicole Placie. The homer was her first of the year. Dunmire has cleared the fences four times.

The win against Wayne State ups Nelson’s record to 24-5. The shutout was her 14th of the season.