Softball ready for pizzazz, excitement of Mt. Pleasant

Classes?

Or an all-expenses paid trip to Mt. Pleasant?

You can choose, but the No. 2 Michigan softball team can't - it has to go. The whirlwind, one-day zero-nights tour includes: a game against the defending Mid-American Conference champion Central Michigan. And, as if that isn't enough, another game against Central Michigan.

Who wouldn't want that?

JOHN KRAFT/Daily Michigan pitcher Sara Griffin, with a perfect 18-0 record this season, has been a crucial part of the Wolverines' success, helping the squad to a 29-3 mark.

Pitcher Sara Griffin might not, if she loses.

This town, oddly enough located in the center of Michigan, won't seem very pleasant to her if her 18-game win streak comes to an end at the hands of the Chippewas.

"I think Sara's working hard - and not always with her best stuff," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said. "She has struggled some with some walks, and we definitely count on Griffin.

"You know you can count on Griffin. We know we can expect her to give us a good game."

On the offensive front, if Griffin finds a way to pull seven hits out of the doubleheader, she'll find herself tied with Patti Benedict's career mark of 244, set in 1990-93. Outfielder Kellyn Tate needs eight to tie the mark.

Griffin will need to keep working hard to down the 13-14-1 Chippewas, who also own a 5-2-1 conference record.

Following Griffin in the rotation are freshman Jamie Barda and sophomore Jamie Gillies. Gillies boasts a 8-1 record and has a 2.68 ERA this season.

Michigan (23-9, 8-0) will look to this rotation - successful so far this season - to keep its current 10-game win streak alive.

Central Michigan is one of the only teams left in the Mid-American Conference to still have Native American-themed team nicknames.

Eastern Michigan switched from "Hurons" to "Eagles" several years ago, and Miami (Ohio) ditched the tag "Redskins" in favor of "RedHawks." The Central Michigan logo features neither Native American caricatures nor birds of prey - only an unassuming letter 'C'.

The 'C', to its credit, does include three 'motion' lines and a slight tilt, presumably to give it a dynamic, fast-moving look.

If the Central Michigan infield doesn't move too fast, and Michigan's Traci Conrad does, the junior All-American might find the opportunity to add to her 10 stolen bases.

But if the Wolverines get too distracted by the glitter and pizazz of downtown (don't blink) Mt. Pleasant, they might find themselves the victims of a robbery if the overmatched Chippewas (call 'em the Chips) find a way to swipe a victory.

Don't count on it.

- Daily Sports Writer T.J. Berka contributed to this report.

04-07-98