Aggressive play keys victory

In all sports, the difference between the skill levels and abilities of the teams involved becomes less and less as you go further in the playoffs. Due to this, the gap between the winner and loser isn't as much a difference in skill. Instead, it's usually a difference in approach.

This was proven vividly in yesterday's championship game between Michigan and DePaul. The Wolverines and Blue Demons had relatively equal run-scoring opportunities, but Michigan was more aggressive on offense, resulting in a 3-0 victory and a trip to the College World Series in Oklahoma City.

MATT MADILL/Daily Melissa Taylor was an aggressor in yesterday's game, stealing second base to set up an RBI single by Tammy Mika.

"It was a well-played game by both teams," DePaul coach Eugene Lenti said. "They set their tone with their aggressiveness offensively, while we didn't take advantage of situations that were presented to us."

A case in point was in the bottom of the fifth inning, when DePaul shortstop and cleanup hitter Julie Stewart was up with runners on first and third with two outs and the Demons down, 2-0. Michigan pitcher Sara Griffin and Stewart fought to a full count, but Stewart was called looking on a third strike, ending DePaul's last viable chance to catch the Wolverines.

Stewart's lack of aggressiveness bothered Lenti, who reacted by benching Stewart - one of the Blue Demons' best players - for the remainder of the game.

"I needed to set the tone for next year," Lenti said. "If you are going to be passive, you might as well sit on the bench."

Michigan learned from DePaul's mistake in the next inning when second baseman Melissa Taylor walked with two outs. With Lisa Kelley at the plate, Taylor stole second to advance into scoring position. After the steal, Michigan coach Carol Hutchins pulled Kelley for Tammy Mika.

Entering the game with a 1-1 count, Mika jumped on the first pitch that DePaul pitcher Nicole Terpstra threw her, drilling a single into right field and scoring Taylor with an insurance run.

Mika "did a great job," Hutchins said. "She got on top of the pitch and drove it."

Aggressive play also helped the Wolverines jump on top in the first inning. After a groundout by leadoff hitter Traci Conrad, rightfielder Kellyn Tate smacked Terpstra's first pitch over the right-field fence for her first home run of the season and providing all the runs the Wolverines would need.

"I was more aggressive today," Tate said. "I feel I do better when I jump on the first pitch instead of letting it go by."

Michigan's drive and aggressiveness - and DePaul's lack of it - spelled the difference at Alumni Field yesterday. And if the Wolverines are going to win their first national championship, the aggressive play needs to stay.

05-18-98