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Michigan softball looks to continue recent dominance

Ordinarily, a 5-1 weekend record and a tournament title would be enough to satisfy a coach.

But Michigan softball coach Carol Hutchins would have liked to add another dash of sugar to her team's already heavily sweetened weekend at the Tennessee Tournament of Champions.

"We definitely would have liked to be 6-0," Hutchins said. "We should have won our first game."

In that game against Southwest Missouri, the No. 10 Wolverines (21-8) had nine hits but could only manage one run. Three errors also did not help Michigan's cause in the 2-1 loss in eight innings.

But the Wolverines quickly recovered and instituted a new game plan -- complete domination.

In the remaining five contests, Michigan outscored its opponents 46-1. That's right, 46-1.

Quick math dictates that one run allowed in five games equals four shutouts.

Not only did the Wolverine pitching staff -- namely junior Kelly Holmes and sophomore Sara Griffin -- give an excellent performance, they put on a clinic:

Holmes threw a no-hitter Saturday against Indiana State, her second of the season and the team's third; Griffin pitched a one-hitter in Sunday's title game versus Austin Peay; and Griffin and senior Tracy Carr combined for a one-hitter as Michigan demolished Morehead State.

Hutchins, though, doesn't like to get too worked up over no-hitters.

"I don't focus on no-hitters; I focus on winning," she said. "I tell Holmes that the key is her down ball and just hitting her targets."

The Wolverines also packed their offense for the trip to Tennessee, and Morehead State found out the hard way. Michigan sent a school-record 25 players across home plate in only five innings in the most lopsided game of its 19-year history.

Junior catcher Jennifer Smith went 8-for-13 (.615 batting average) in the tournament and earned Most Valuable Player honors. Carr also made the all-tournament team with a .444 batting average (8-for-18). Smith and Carr had five RBI and two extra-base hits apiece.

The Wolverines should have a lot of confidence as the tournament season ends -- they have won 12 of 14 games over the last two weekends.

But at 2 p.m. today, Michigan begins the season where seven innings against one opponent just isn't enough -- doubleheader season.

This afternoon's twinbill sends the Wolverines to Notre Dame to face a Fighting Irish squad also known for its strong pitching.

"Their pitching is always solid and they are a big rival," Hutchins said. "We need to be disciplined at the plate. That's how you beat good pitching."

The Irish (18-10) lead the overall series, 3-2, and will be looking to avenge two losses to Michigan in last year's NCAA Region 1 Tournament.

Hutchins hopes the team can improve in a couple areas before the conference season starts Saturday.

"Our defense needs to pick the ball up a little better," she said. "If we did that, maybe we wouldn't have dropped that first game (to Southwest Missouri).

"(But) we're learning what we're capable of and that's what the preseason is all about."