New facilities broken in; Conrad's streak ends at 18

Sophomore sensation Melissa Gentile can't seem to keep the ball in the park - her season and career home run totals are both Michigan records.

Gentile collected her eighth and ninth home runs of the season this weekend, totaling 15 for her career. Her fourth-inning tater in the second game of the doubleheader against Northwestern was especially rewarding, as it proved to be the game-winner in the 1-0 contest.

Gentile, who holds the best batting average on the team at .459, says she does not think about hitting home runs at the plate.

"If I go out there thinking about the record and try to swing for the fences, I'd probably just screw myself into the ground," she said. "I just try to get base hits, and if the home runs come, then that's great."

LOUIS BROWN/Daily Sara Griffin improved her record to 25-0 this weekend with three victories over Northwestern.

New facilities: The Wolverines' record is not the only thing that has seen improvements this season.

A new team facility, funded entirely through a $500,000 gift to the softball program from Michigan alum Donald R. Shepherd, has been in place since the start of the home portion of the 1998 season. The facility houses locker rooms for the teams and coaches, as well as an athletic training room, public restrooms and the Michigan All-American team room.

Shepherd also sponsors the Robert and Majorie Shepherd scholarship, which is given to one member of the softball team every year. This year's recipient was centerfielder Tammy Mika.

The Wolverines recognized and thanked Shepherd before yesterday's game and invited fans to tour the new building. Improvements to the field this year include a new scoreboard and sound system.

"I'm thrilled with everything," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said. "Don Shepherd had been really good to us, and we are continuing to make this field as nice as it can be."

End of the line: The Wolverines' April 14 loss to Michigan State put an end to their 17-game win streak, and those in attendance at Saturday's nightcap saw first baseman Traci Conrad's hit streak end as well. Conrad's two-hit, two-RBI performance in the first game extended the streak to 18 games, but Northwestern's Jackie DeBoard was too tough in the second game, allowing just two hits in all seven innings.

The 18-game streak is the best of Conrad's three-year career, eclipsing two previous 17-game streaks.

One streak still alive for the Wolverines is pitcher Sara Griffin's 25-game win streak.

The NCAA Division I player of the week carries a 0.99 ERA and is undefeated this season. But the 25 consecutive victories are not a career best for Griffin. She compiled a 31-game win streak in the 1996 season.

04-20-98