Spring forward

Westerly winds beckon softball team

El Niño is soaking Ann Arbor lately and the Michigan softball team doesn't have spring break off. So isn't now a great time to travel to San Diego for this weekend's Campbell/Cartier Classic?

Think again.

San Diego's pavement also is expected to be spattered by raindrops when the Wolverines begin their regular season tomorrow Not only does their so-called vacation look to be a washout, but they also play seven straight games tomorrow through Sunday morning.

FILE PHOTO As she begins her final season at Michigan, pitcher Sara Griffin remains one of the nation's top players. After missing the final two months of last year with a broken arm, she is healthy again and will lead the Wolverines to San Diego this weekend.

Michigan finished fifth in the NCAA College World Series last summer and begins this season ranked 4th in the pre-season USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll, two spots higher than their final ranking last season.

After several fall preseason tournaments and a long winter of practice, Michigan coach Carol Hutchins is excited about the start of the season.

"We've been practicing indoors all winter. Now we just need to go out and play," Hutchins said.

Michigan will try to improve on its record-breaking 1997 season which included 56 victories starting tomorrow against UCLA.

The Wolverines will be looking to exact revenge against 17th-ranked UCLA, the team that bounced them from the World Series last season. Michigan is 1-6 in seven outings against the Bruins and hasn't beat UCLA since 1995.

Undefeated UCLA also has romped past its opponents so far this season.

But the team Michigan might be most concerned with is Louisiana State.

This weekend will be the first meeting between the two schools, and Louisiana State figures to be one of the top teams in the NCAA this season.

"LSU's program has grown immensely," Hutchins said. "They will be ranked in the top 15 after this weekend."

San Diego State, the host of the Campbell/Cartier Classic, wasn't such a polite host last year, upsetting the Wolverines 4-3. But Michigan does lead the overall series 11-5.

Michigan's other opponents - Stanford, Santa Clara, and Eastern Michigan - will be looking to end their losing streaks against the Wolverines.

Michigan has won all of its meetings with Stanford and Santa Clara. The Eagles have lost four straight to the Wolverines and eight out of the past ten.

"Our goal is to get a gauge of where we're at," Hutchins said. "All the games are against high-quality teams."

For those shocked by the fact that the team plays seven games in one weekend Hutchins has a quick, simple answer.

"This is the nature of softball," she said.

According to Hutchins, the Wolverines once again have one of the most well-balanced lineups of any team in the NCAA. The Wolverines have solid performers at every position, 12 returning players and plenty of depth.

"I feel that that's the key to our strength," Hutchins said. "In each class, we have solid players."

Pitching:

Replacing Big Ten pitcher of the year Kelly Holmes won't be easy, but Michigan plans to do just that with the return of All-American Sara Griffin, who missed the final eight weeks of last season with a broken arm.

Sophomore Jamie Gillies and freshman Marie Barda will join Griffin in the pitching rotation. Gillies had a no-hitter last season and Barda looks to be a force this season and beyond after an impressive 92-19 high school pitching record. Breaking in a new freshman pitcher is especially important, as the Wolverines learned last season with Griffin's injury.

"We are going to give Maria one inning at a time," Hutchins said. "Every pitch counts."

Infield:

The Michigan infield has a strong foundation with junior All-American - and last season's top offensive player -Traci Conrad at first base. Last season's Big Ten freshman of the year, Melissa Gentile, will most likely replace departing catcher Jen Smith behind the plate sharing the duties with Jennifer McKittrick and freshman Kim Bugel. Sophomores Pam Kosanke and Karmen Lappo are possibilities at third base, leaving second base and shortstop wide open between four players - sophomore Stacy Judd and freshmen Melissa Taylor, Chrissy Garza and Rebecca Tune.

Outfield:

The number two-through-five hitters last season - Cathy Davie, Lisa Kelley, Tammy Mika and Kellyn Tate - will share the responsibilities in the outfield. Hutchins most likely will rotate the four to optimize each player's ability.

02-19-98