The Michigan softball team will be in warm weather over spring break, but it won't have too much time to bask in the sun.
The Wolverines (4-2-1) will compete in two tournaments and a doubleheader at Alabama over the break.
"There will be a lot of chances for people to get time at the plate and in the field over this next week," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said.
Michigan opens its slate tonight at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga., with two games. The Wolverines take on Missouri at 6 p.m., and Princeton at 8.
Tomorrow, the tournament turns to double-elimination, and Michigan should get to play several of the 17 teams in the field. The championship will be held on Sunday.
The Wolverines will rely heavily on the hitting of first baseman Traci Conrad, who is batting .500 on the season and has one home run and seven RBI.
Michigan's pitching trio of Kelly Holmes, Jamie Gillies and Sara Griffin will have to put in a lot of innings over the next 10 days. Holmes (1-1) has struck out 13 batters in her 16 innings of work and has an ERA of 0.88. The Wolverines will head to Alabama on Tuesday to play their first doubleheader of the season against the Crimson Tide.
Michigan closes out its break in Tampa, Fla., at the Speedline Invitational next weekend. The Wolverines will play five games before the elimination round, in which they'll play anywhere from one to four more games.