Alessandra Giampaolo wins NCAA Division I National Championship

The No. 1-ranked University of Michigan softball team defeated two-time defending champion No. 7 seed UCLA 4-1 in 10 innings to claim the teams’ first-ever national championship.(Wednesday, June 8) in front of a national television audience on ESPN. The Wolverines (65-7) claimed the 52nd national championship in school history and the second for a women’s program when WCWS MVP Samantha Findlay (Lockport, Ill./East HS) connected for a dramatic three-run home run in the top of the 10th to break a 1-1 tie.

The Wolverines took the lead for good in 10th after Tiffany Haas (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill HS) reached on an error and CATZ athlete Alessandra Giampaolo (Pasadena,CA/Polytechnic HS) legged out an infield single. One batter later, Findlay turned on a 1-1 pitch and deposited in the same place as Becky Marx (St. Joseph, Mich./Lakeshore HS) a night before to give Michigan a 4-1 lead that they maintained until the end of the game.

Alessandra’s Notes:
Alessandra Giampaolo, Freshman centerfielder, U of Michigan softball team:  Member of U-M’s 2005 NCAA Champion team; All-Big Ten first team (outfield); U-M Athletic Academic award honoree; All-Big Ten Tournament team; second on U-M with 15 doubles; 18 multi-hit games.