'M' softball rolls into Penn State with top-notch record

To say that the Michigan softball team is playing well doesn't do the team justice.

The Wolverines have won their past six games and 16 of their past 17. Their 24-3 start, including a 3-0 conference record, matches their best ever, and they haven't lost a conference game since April 13, 1997.

The team puts its streak on the line when it travels to Penn State today to play its second conference series of the season. The Wolverines have won their past nine contests against the Nittany Lions (2-1 Big Ten, 10-13-1 overall). Still, they don't take anything for granted.

"They (Penn State) are an improved team this year and have very good pitching," Hutchins said. Besides, "it doesn't matter if we won with last year's team, we want to win for this year's team."

FILE PHOTO The Wolverines shouldn't find themselves wincing too often in State College today, as they put an almost year-long conference win streak on the line.

The second-ranked Wolverines began their Big Ten season last weekend with a three-game sweep of Indiana. Looming in the back of their minds, however, is a goal slightly more grand - winning the College World Series.

But the Wolverines are not just good, they're great, and if their performance against Indiana is a sign of things to come, a national title is not out of reach.

"I thought we played picture-perfect Michigan softball," Hutchins said.

The Wolverines were led by senior pitcher Sara Griffin, who has shown all season that she is determined to take her team far into May's tournament.

Griffin provided more proof of that this past weekend as she pitched in two of the three games, providing stellar performances in both.

She gave up just one earned run in 14 innings, lowering her ERA to a scant 0.66 on the season. She also knocked in five runs in the two games, including a three-run homer in Saturday's game that moved her into first place on Michigan's career home run list with 12. Her performance on Sunday was even better, as Griffin struck out 10 batters en route to a two-hit shutout, improving her record to 13-0.

"That's the type of player she is for us," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said. "She's an all-American because she is great on both sides of the field."

First basemen Traci Conrad is another reason the Wolverines are ranked second in the nation. The junior leads the team in five offensive categories - including hits and runs scored - and is one of the team's best defensive players. Her eight hits and five RBI this weekend earned her a second-straight national player of the week award.

"Traci is hot," Hutchins said.

That's an understatement if there ever was one.

Conrad's performance this past weekend raised her batting average 39 points. In Saturday's doubleheader, she hit a perfect 7-for-7, including a double and a home run.

"Right now, she's playing our leadoff hitter role," Hutchins said. "But if she keeps trying to knock in the runs, I will have to move her down a few spots in the lineup."

Today's game

Who: Michigan vs. Penn State

Where: State College

When: 1 p.m.

Notables: Looking to keep up their dominant play, the Wolverines head to Penn State for their second Big Ten series of the season.

04-01-98