'M' softball loses no-hit bid, sweeps Western Michigan

While both of yesterday's softball games ended by the mercy rule, in the innings that were played, the Michigan softball team showed no mercy. The Wolverines solidly whipped Western Michigan, 10-0 in the first game and 9-1 in the second.

It was a day when everything clicked for Michigan and everything went sour for the hapless Broncos. Both teams were coming off conference losses and looking for a win. But for the Wolverines (12-1 Big Ten, 37-4 overall) the errors that plagued them against Michigan State were nonexistent. The Broncos (7-7 MAC, 13-15 overall) learned that errors are unacceptable against the No. 2 team in the nation.

Western Michigan committed two crucial errors that led to six unearned runs for the Wolverines. In game two of the doubleheader, two errors by Western Michigan shortstop Jodi White led to two Michigan scores by Sara Griffin - the NCFA National Play

PAUL TALANIAN/Daily Michigan first baseman Traci Conrad made several crucial defensive stops in Michigan's doubleheader against Western Michigan. The games were important moral victories for the Wolverines, who were coming off a tough loss to Michigan State on Tuesday.

er of the Week- and Traci Conrad.

In the first game, an error by the Broncos' first baseman, Chassity Lowder, allowed Lisa Kelley to reach base. Kelley scored, leading off Michigan's offensive explosion that saw 23 hits in the two games.

"Our offense was on," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said. "But, you just can't let a team like us jump on the ball like we did because we're tough to keep down anyway. They basically opened up a door for us."

Once again driving the offense was catcher Melissa Gentile, who hit her 13th career home run (seventh of the season). Gentile now leads the all-time career and single-season home run lists.

Yesterday's doubleheader was a chance for Michigan to regain its characteristic confidence after Tuesday's loss.

"I was hoping we'd come out and play with confidence," Hutchins said. "To play with confidence is just as important as playing well. We could certainly have lost our confidence, and we didn't. That's the mark of a good team."

As well as being important for team morale, the victories were important for Michigan's younger pitching duo of Jamie Gillies and Marie Barda to get some practice on friendlier turf.

For Barda, the second game of the doubleheader - her first time in the pitching circle at Alumni Field- was an impressive performance. Pitching a complete game, Barda gave up just three hits and one run. She carried a no-hitter through four innings and also recorded a career high five strikeouts.

"I just wanted to start pitching again," Barda said. "It was kind of like my debut, so it was really exciting. It was important for us to win these games so we can get back in the groove."

The games also allowed several seldom-used players to shine. In the first game, sophomore Lisa Beard pinch hit for Big Ten player of the week Cathy Davie and got her first hit as a Wolverine. Beard hit an RBI double, scoring the final run of the game. She then garnered her second career RBI in game two with a sacrifice fly that scored Conrad.

The Wolverines hope to ride the momentum of these victories into the 11-game Big Ten stretch.

"We realize that everyone is coming out to beat us," Conrad said. "It was important to come out and make a statement that one loss doesn't ruin our season."

04-17-98