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OKLAHOMA CITY - What a difference a year makes.

Last year, the Michigan softball team went 1-2 in the College World Series, and it made history. This year, after the same outcome, the only word to describe the Wolverines' (56-7) season is disappointment.

Michigan was eliminated by Oklahoma State on Saturday, 3-1, and Fresno State, 8-0, in a five-inning mercy-rule contest Friday. Only a 7-2 victory over Texas in the first round kept the Wolverines from leaving the Bible Belt empty-handed.

"I am disappointed for my team because I have seen them play all year," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said. "They just didn't show their stuff."

One person who lacked her stuff in the loss to Oklahoma State (42-18) was pitcher Sara Griffin.

MARGARET MYERS/Daily Michigan softball team members Pam Kosanke and Rebecca Tune embrace after losing the World Series in Oklahoma.

Griffin, who was nearly unstoppable during the regular season, was mortal against the Cowboys, giving up a season-high 7 walks. Griffin walked four in the two previous games as well and never found her groove.

"I felt good (pitching), but walks happen," Griffin said. "I try not to walk people, and I'm not very happy about it."

The defense behind Griffin against the Cowboys was nothing to cheer about either. Although it was outhit 9-4 by Michigan, Oklahoma State made the most of its opportunities, scoring all three runs off Michigan errors.

"We didn't play defense," Hutchins said. "When you come to the World Series, defense is more important than anything, and we didn't play it."

The first inning began with Griffin walking Kristi Bolle. Crystal Acree hit a grounder to normally sure-handed third basemen Pam Kosanke, whose throw to first went into the Michigan dugout. Second baseman Melissa Taylor then muffed a grounder by Jamie Foutch, giving Oklahoma State all the runs it needed.

"They had a few defensive mistakes that anybody could have, but I am pleased that we were able to scratch out runs and take advantage of what they gave us," Oklahoma State coach Sandy Fischer said.

The Wolverines had plenty of opportunities to come back, with runners in scoring position in all seven innings. But Michigan could only punch out one run in the third-inning, as Kosanke singled to score Tammy Mika, bringing the Wolverines within one.

But the Cowboys got the run back in the next half-inning, taking advantage of another Taylor error.

The Wolverines also had plenty of problems in the Fresno State game.

Fresno State pitcher Amanda Scott was the main agitator. Her no-hitter - the first one thrown in the World Series in three years - was nearly perfect for Fresno State.

"She pitched very well," Hutchins said. "She got ahead of us, and then she beat us down."

The Bulldogs were also beating the Wolverines at the plate. Catcher Amber Wall, who called the pitches for Scott's no-hitter, started the scoring in the second inning with a two-run homer off Griffin. The shot, which barely eluded leaping Michigan rightfielder Kellyn Tate, caromed off the tuba of the Michigan alumni band.

After the first game of the weekend against Texas, things looked promising. In the first inning, the Wolverines bombed Texas for seven runs in the first inning, chasing 1996 Olympian Christa Williams from the circle.

Michigan took advantage of three Texas throwing errors and a three-run home run by catcher Melissa Gentile to break the game open.

05-26-98