Purdue set to invade Alumni

Michigan-Ohio State. Michigan-Michigan State.

Michigan-Iowa?

As far as rivalries go, Michigan has its fair share of quality rivals. Usually, Iowa is not among the most anticipated contests of the year. But for the Michigan softball team, this weekend's upcoming series against the Hawkeyes - its most challenging and feared rival - is the moment the Wolverines haveall been waiting for.

But before the much-anticipated contest, the Wolverines will face Purdue today in a 2 p.m. doubleheader at Alumni Field. Although Michigan leads the all-time series 9-1, the Wolverines are not overlooking the Boilermakers.

LOUIS BROWN/Daily Kellyn Tate and the Wolverines host Purdue today and will face rival Iowa during the weekend. The next week will be critical in the race for the Big Ten title.

"Purdue always plays us really tough," Griffin said. "When they come to play, they play hard."

But after this evening, the Wolverines will be able to focus all of their energy on Iowa.

Last year, the Hawkeyes were the Wolverines' nemesis, cutting short their season in the Women's College World Series with a 3-2 victory in the first round. The two teams finished tied for fifth in the WCWS.

But the rivalry is even more heated than that. This year, the two teams find themselves in familiar positions as the top two teams in the Big Ten. But this year, Michigan (15-1 Big Ten, 40-4 overall) is in the driver's seat, whereas Iowa (9-5, 28-12) is trailing slightly behind.

For Michigan's star pitcher, Sara Griffin, the matchup brings back haunting memories. In last year's regular-season series with the Hawkeyes, Griffin suffered a season-ending injury, breaking her left arm in a collision with teammate Traci Conrad.

"The only regret I have about my time here (at Michigan) is that injury last year," Griffin said. "I guess this year with Iowa it's a personal vendetta.

"The rivalry with them really started my freshman year. They've always been really tough. We want to beat them - we want a payback."

Without Griffin, last year's team lost both of the regular-season games. But in the Big Ten Tournament, the Wolverines pulled the upset over the Hawkeyes, taking the Big Ten Tournament championship.

"The important thing to remember about this series is that it's a different team for them and a series is that it's a different team for them and a different team for us," Griffin said. "But, when it comes down to it, we're going to be hyped up for it. It's going to be a sweet victory."

The games against the Hawkeyes are especially important because the winner of the regular-season crown hosts the Big Ten Tournament. While last year Michigan didn't need a home crowd advantage to win the tournament, Griffin said it will be great to play at home.

"Every time we've gone to Iowa, the weather has been terrible," Griffin said. "So not only were we playing against them, we were playing against the weather, too. This year we have our best team ever, so I have a really good feeling."

The final stretch of the 1998 regular season will be filled with milestones for various Wolverines.

With today's games, Michigan coach Carol Hutchins will be coaching in her 800th game. Should Michigan win the first game of the doubleheader, she'll have her 550th career victory.

Griffin is currently sixth on the NCAA Division I consecutive win list. She is 96-16 at Michigan and 25-0 this season. With wins either today or next weekend, she will clinch first place on the Big Ten all-time victory list. The record of 97 wins, held by Northwestern's Lisa Ishikawa, was set in 1987.

After the weekend series with Iowa, the Wolverines will have the week off to refocus their energy toward finals. Then, on May 2, they'll begin their final Big Ten series against Wisconsin.

Griffin will be a noticeable absentee in Saturday's games in Madison. The pitcher will be walking with her fellow classmates at commencement. But Griffin expects to be back in the pitcher's circle Sunday for the final Big Ten game of her career.

"We've had so many good teams since I've been here," Griffin said. "It's been really fun and competitive. That's why I came to Michigan. All I have are great memories."

04-21-98