Hutchins split by split with State

EAST LANSING - For most people involved with the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry, a loss is cause for disappointment.

For softball fans of both schools, yesterday's action contained a mixed bag of emotions, as the Wolverines and Spartans split a doubleheader. Who can possibly come out ahead in this scenario? Michigan coach Carol Hutchins can.

How could Hutchins possibly come out ahead in this exchange when her second-ranked Wolverines didn't play up to their abilities in splitting a doubleheader with the Spartans yesterday?

Hutchins, the Michigan coach for 14 years, is a graduate of Michigan State. She made quite an impact in East Lansing during her time there, helping the Spartans to a national championship in her freshman year - 1976.

"I helped pay for that sign, as a matter of fact," Hutchins said about the championship banner hanging on the outfield fence, just to the right of the right-field foul pole at Old College Field.

JOHN KRAFT/Daily Shortstop Rebecca Tune committed two of the Wolverines' five errors as they dropped the nightcap of yesterday's doubleheader, 7-4. The loss to Michigan State marked the end of a 25-game Big Ten win streak, and a 17-game win streak this season.

As evidenced by the donation, Michigan loaded the bases to start the inning and seemed to be surging back. The Spartans' three-run lead suddenly looked a whole lot smaller.

But Joseph didn't look for help in her kitchen. Instead, she turned to left field and found Stephanie Noffsinger, stationed in left field after making two appearances on the mound in the first game. Noffsinger trotted into the huddle on the mound, and Joseph dropped the ball into her glove.

At first, Noffsinger looked like someone trying to put out a grease fire with water. And Joseph's strategy didn't seem so wise after all.

But Joseph's - and Noffsinger's - patience paid off.

Noffsinger promptly walked Michigan's Kellyn Tate. And after Sara Griffin singled to left, it looked as though the Wolverines would take back their lead. But Noffsinger scooped up Tammy Mika's bunt and gunned down Traci Conrad at home plate. Catherine Davie popped up to end the inning.

She started slow again the next inning, as Gentile hit her sixth home run of the season. But In the huddle of infielders following the homer, Noffsinger said not one of her teammates was distressed by the three-run lead.

"No biggie," they said.

And out they came to steal back the game.

Tiffany Yeager walked and stole second to start the inning. Danielle Manzardo flied to left to advance Yeager. This brought Michigan coach Carol Hutchins to the mound, along with Griffin.

But Hutchins' strategy didn't work as well as it did for her counterpart.

Carpenter sent Griffin's second pitch to shallow right field, scoring Yeager. The run was charged to Gillies, though, dropping her to 9-2 on the season.

But Gillies had help in recording her second loss of the season, as the Wolverines committed five errors, their highest total of the season.

Rebecca Tune, who accounted for two of those, tried to explain how frustrating five errors is for a team that makes defensive plays with regularity.

"We just all had them at the same time," she said.

But for Michigan State, there was no frustration, only a coach looking all the wiser for not giving up on her own strategy.

Hutchins still feels quite a pull toward her alma mater, although she now is the head of its most hated rival.

"I love to come back here, I love to play here, and I love to win here," Hutchins said. Michigan "is what I am now. I love Michigan State, though."

With family in the Lansing area, Hutchins has even more reason to enjoy playing in East Lansing. The players also win in the exchange, as they are often treated to a free, home-cooked meal.

"In season, I don't spend much time with my family," Hutchins said. "My team is going over for dinner now, though, a thing we do once in a while."

The question remains, though - how can someone move from Michigan to Michigan State? In this state, that is equivalent to Benedict Arnold changing allegiance from the Americans to the British during the Revolutionary War.

"I never thought I would be coach at Michigan," Hutchins said. "But if you understand being a coach, you know how much you love your own program. That's all Michigan is to me - it's my softball program and I love it dearly. I root for Michigan State - to finish second."

With that said, does that mean that Hutchins roots for Michigan State to win in other sports - even over Michigan? She didn't go into detail about who she prefers in the Michigan-Michigan State football game, but she did reaffirm some maize-and-blue loyalty.

"I root for them - I don't not root for State," Hutchins said. "I've been at Michigan 16 years so I have to admit that I'm pretty blue."

04-15-98