To say that the Michigan softball team got off to a slow start at the Campbell/Cartier Classic on Friday might be a bit of an understatement. But then again, to say that the No. 5 Wolverines recovered to play well Saturday and Sunday would be even more of one.
After losing two games and tying one on Friday, Michigan rallied for four wins in a row over the next two days, to push its season record to 4-2-1.
In their first three games of the season, the Wolverines were outscored by a total of two runs. They tied No. 15 Cal State-Northridge, 3-3, before falling to Sacramento State, 1-0, and San Diego State, 4-3.
Michigan errors factored into all three of the games. Against Northridge, an overthrow by freshman shortstop Pam Kosanke in the top of the sixth inning allowed the Matadors to score the tying run, just half an inning after the Wolverines had scored two runs to take a 3-2 lead.
In the next game, Sacramento State was able to score the game's only run in the bottom of the fourth inning when an error by junior third baseman Sara Griffin allowed a runner to score from second. Michigan managed only two hits in the contest.
The Wolverines' final game of the day pitted them against host San Diego State. Once again, Michigan was victimized by an untimely error. The Aztecs were able to score two runs and take a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the third inning following an error by second baseman Jessica Lange with two outs.
On Saturday, the Wolverines displayed the mixture of hitting and pitching that has been instrumental in their past four Big Ten championships.
In the first game of the day Michigan exploded for ten runs, defeating No. 14 Long Beach State, 10-2. The Wolverines put the game away with six runs in the top of the fifth inning. Griffin held the 49ers to two runs on four hits to pick up her first win of the season. Sophomore Traci Conrad keyed Michigan's offensive attack with a double, a home run and four RBIs. She also scored the go- ahead run in the third inning.
Following their first win of the season, the Wolverines faced No. 22 Hawaii. Once again, the key to Michigan's success was its hitting. Conrad and Griffin led the offensive attack with three hits apiece, as Michigan won 7-6. Griffin recorded four RBIs while Kelli Holmes evened her season record at 1-1. Lange made up for her error Friday with a spectacular play in the sixth inning to halt a two-out, three-run Hawaii rally.
In the late game Saturday, the Wolverines scored four runs in the fourth inning and cruised to a 6-1 victory over Stanford. Freshman Jamie Gillies pitched all seven innings to pick up her first collegiate win. Left fielder Tracy Taylor went 2 for 3 at the plate and knocked in three runs as Michigan pushed its season record to 3-2-1.
In their final game of the weekend, the Wolverines shutout Arkansas, 6-0 Sunday. Griffin and Gillies teamed up to hurl Michigan's first shutout of the season. Griffin was credited with the win, pushing her record to 2-0. Conrad provided all the offense that the Wolverines needed, going 3 for 4 with a double and a triple.
Cathy Davie, Conrad and Griffin were all recognized for their efforts over the weekend by being named to the Campbell/Cartier Classic All-Tournament team.