After a successful season that fell short of its goal, the Michigan softball team returns to the field tomorrow to begin its 1997 campaign.
A Big Ten championship and a NCAA regional title did nothing to help Michigan achieve its goal of winning a game at the College World Series, but this weekend the quest begins anew. The team will take the field in San Diego tomorrow at the Campbell/Cartier Classic.
The No. 5 Wolverines will begin their quest to duplicate their 1996 record-breaking season when they play seven games in three days.
The Classic, hosted by San Diego State, will feature three other ranked teams, including No. 14 Long Beach State, No. 15 Cal State-Northridge and No. 22 Hawaii. Michigan will face all three teams, as well as Sacramento State, San Diego State, Stanford and Arkansas during the weekend.
"It's our first time outside and it will give us a chance to get into the flow of the game," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said. "We'll get a chance to see what our strengths and weaknesses are."
Last season, the Wolverines displayed few weaknesses on their way to winning a Michigan-record 51 games and winning the Big Ten for the fourth time in five years. The Wolverines placed seventh in the Women's College World Series.
If Michigan hopes to repeat its success of last year, it will need contributions from many of last year's stars, as well as from a few newcomers.
Sara Griffin, the two-time defending Big Ten Player of the Year, leads a strong pitching staff. The junior led the Wolverines last year with 35 wins from the pitching circle and was a major contributor at the plate as well. Senior Kelly Holmes and freshman Jamie Gillies round out the starting rotation.
Hutchins has confidence in her pitching staff, as well as the rest of the team.
"We are very deep on the mound and behind the plate," Hutchins said. "We also have a lot of versatility and we have good hitting and good speed."
Other contributors from last year's Big Ten championship team include Big Ten Freshman of the Year Traci Conrad, a first baseman, and senior outfielder Kellyn Tate. Tate earned third-team All American honors last season and will anchor a crowded outfield. Seven players will vie for playing time at the three positions for the Wolverines.
Michigan's veterans are not alone in their quest for another Big Ten Championship. A talented group of freshmen will have the opportunity to play right away.
In addition to Gillies, Melissa Gentile and Pam Kosanke will be given the chance to start from the beginning of the season. Kosanke and Gentile will make up the left side of the infield, playing shortstop and third base, respectively.
"The left side of the infield is brand new with freshmen who will take a lot of bumps and bruises over the next few weeks," Hutchins said. "They're going to play, so we hope they can contribute."
This weekend will be a learning experience for the Wolverines, veterans and the rookies alike. Michigan will begin to find out who the leaders are on this team and what they will have to do to win.
FILE PHOTO/Daily
Michigan first baseman Traci Conrad, seen here moments after clinching last season's regional championship, and the Wolverines kick off another campaign Friday in San Diego.