KALAMAZOO - Someone forgot to tell Sara Griffin that she has a whole year left to play softball at Michigan.
At least, that's the way she plays.
The junior pitcher is having a career year. Her 15-1 record and ERA under 1.00 make her a candidate for Big Ten pitcher of the year.
And she's breaking records, too.
Griffin's bases-loaded double in the second game of a doubleheader sweep over Western Michigan yesterday gave her 131 career RBI, tying the Michigan record held by Traci Carr.
In the first game, Griffin turned in another solid performance - this time from the mound.
The hurler held Western Michigan to one earned run, earning her the complete-game victory. The win brought her career total to 71 - one shy of the record held by former Michigan All-American Kelly Kovich.
Griffin's ability to get out of jams and win games even when she's having off days has helped her cause - and having a great supporting cast doesn't hurt, either.
"Sara isn't always at her best, and I don't think today was one of her best performances," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said. "But I think as the game went on, she got better and better.
"And pitchers get the win, but it's a team effort, and we win 5-2 because we get that team effort. So I give Sara a lot of credit, but it's still a team effort."
Breakout for Skeeter: Melissa (Skeeter) Gentile had a breakout day for the Wolverines. The third baseman/catcher hit 3-for-3 in the opener yesterday, missing the cycle by a home run.
The freshman's .231 batting average going into yesterday's games is deceiving.
"Skeeter is very capable of hitting better than her .230-something average," Hutchins said. "She's a big power hitter.She's got to cut down on her swing, and that's what we're working on constantly to get her more consistency and base hits."
Gentile also brings offensive strength to a position that the Wolverines have struggled in - catcher. The other two catchers on the team are both hitting below the Mendoza line. But her offensive prowess doesn't come without its price.
Gentile has committed six errors this season. The other catchers have combined for one.
Terrific Trio: Jaime Gillies has quickly become an integral part of the Wolverines. The freshman has provided the squad with something it lacked last year - a third pitcher.
All three pitchers - Gillies, Griffin and Kelly Holmes - have seen plenty of time this season and have all been impressive. Gillies has quickly jumped out to a 7-3 record with a 1.69 ERA, and Holmes has an 8-4 record and a 1.31 ERA.
"It gives us an ability to not have to work anyone to death," Hutchins said.
"With Jamie being a freshman it also puts us in a position so that if she's not on, or she's not ready for some reason, we don't have to use her. We obviously rely a little more heavily on Griffin and Holmes, and that's not unusual to go with your upperclassmen."
Davie's Blast: Cathy Davie hit a 226-foot monster of a home run in the first game yesterday. The hit, which gave the Wolverines the lead for good, bounced off the top of the wall, just above the 226 foot sign in right field.
"It was a long ball, well hit," Hutchins said. "She hit all of that ball."
The home run drove Broncos' ace pitcher Angie Rosich out of the game.
It was only the seventh home-run hit at Fran Ebert Field.