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Battle on the mound starts in `M' dugout

So who's the better pitcher, Holmes or Griffin?

The Michigan softball team might have the best one-two punch in the country with sophomore pitcher Sara Griffin and junior hurler Kelly Holmes.

Whoops, sorry coach Hutchins.

"We don't have a one-two punch," Wolverine skipper Carol Hutchins says. "We have two No. 1 pitchers."

At this point in the season, it's hard to argue with the coach.

Griffin (16-4) and Holmes (12-5) both carry impressive records with them midway through the season.

Since Griffin has the better record, let's give her two points, and Holmes one, in what will surely be a very unscientific scoring scheme.

In the all-important ERA category, Griffin's 1.28 average gives her the edge over Holmes' 1.47, not to mention Griffin's remarkable 0.40 ERA in conference play.

Another point for Griffin; she leads 3-1.

In 17-less innings pitched, Holmes has allowed the same number of runs as Griffin (33) and five less hits. Chalk one up to Holmes; she still trails, 3-2.

Strikeouts: Griffin 95, Holmes 68.

Walks: Holmes 23, Griffin 49.

We'll inflate both scores with a point each: Griffin still leads, 4-3.

Shutouts often provide a good indicator of pitching prowess. Griffin's nine goose-eggs compared with Holmes' seven gives Griffin another point and a 5-3 lead.

No-hitters? Holmes has two, Griffin has one. Advantage Holmes. But wait, Griffin's no-hitter was a perfect game.

That translates into just a half-a-point for Holmes, of course. She still trails, 5-3.5.

The one thing that Griffin has done consistently better than Holmes is helping herself. Griffin is errorless for the season while Holmes has committed four fielding mistakes yielding a .875 fielding percentage.

Point for Griffin, and she takes a commanding 6-3.5 lead.

Wild pitches: Griffin has four, Holmes has three. Holmes, however, has hit two more batters then has Griffin.

We inflate the score once again, 7-4.5.

Maybe Griffin should get points for her bat as well. She leads the Wolverines in RBI with 28. Holmes doesn't even bat at all.

Nevertheless, this is a pitching comparison, so it wouldn't be fair to Holmes if Griffin received a point for her success at the plate.

So, midway through the season, both pitchers have made a case for themselves. Both are invaluable to the team.

But it's hard to argue with the numbers.

Midseason score: Griffin 7, Holmes 4.5.