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Softball ousted in Series

Seniors leave legacy for Michigan softball

OKLAHOMA CITY - At the beginning of the year, every softball program craves a national title.

Michigan was no different.

In fact, the Wolverines went way beyond craving this year's title.

Lust and expectation were the words that most accurately described Michigan's desire for the national crown.

"The senior class has really put Michigan on the map," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said. "They have raised the expectations of the program, and the expectations are really high."

MARGARET MYERS/Daily Michigan freshman Melissa Taylor tags an Oklahoma State baserunner in Saturday's 3-1 loss, as the Cowboys crushed the Wolverines high expectations.

Due to these high expectations, the mood was somber Saturday evening after the Wolverines were eliminated by Oklahoma State, 3-1, just one day after being no-hit by Fresno State.

Michigan, the No.2 team in the nation for the majority of the season, saw its fourth-consecutive World Series berth end in disappointment.

While defeat is hard to swallow, the senior class of Sara Griffin, Kellyn Tate, Lisa Kelley and Jennifer McKittrick have a lot to be proud of.

Before they set foot in Ann Arbor in the fall of 1994, the Wolverines had never been to the College World Series.

This year's graduating class has never missed a World Series.

"These four have left Michigan softball in a lot better place than they found it," Hutchins said.

That place is where the four-time Big Ten Tournament champions, three-time Big Ten regular season champions and the perennial top ten finisher can be found.

Although these Wolverines don't have championship rings, the foursome helped install a championship spirit.

"This team has all the heart in the world," Hutchins said.

This year's 56-7 record suggests that a little bit of talent is combined with heart in Michigan's formula for success.

The 56 victories ties the Michigan single-season mark set in 1996. The Wolverines also went to the World Series that year.

During the record-tying season, the Wolverines went 22-1 in the Big Ten, winning the conference regular-season title by 7-1/2 games over second-place Northwestern.

Along with the No. 2 ranking, this season saw catcher Melissa Gentile hit 13 home runs - more than doubling the previous single-season record - and Griffin stay undefeated in the pitching circle until the Big Ten Tournament.

"I think we are so much better than what we showed here," Griffin said about the team's performance this past weekend.

"We didn't come through, but there are seven teams that won't come through, and only one who will. I wish we were that one, but things happen."

The Wolverines aren't the champions, but they have built a foundation for a possible champion in the future.

With four consecutive World Series appearances, both opponents and recruits know that Michigan softball is a product with staying power.

The newfound expectations lent to a lot of disappointment Saturday, as some Wolverines were in tears after being eliminated.

Just one year ago, the Wolverines won their first-ever College World Series game, and, despite coming home from Oklahoma City with a 1-2 record, Michigan saw the trip as a success.

The fact that, after just one year, the same outcome brings disappointment shows just how far this team has come.

"I think we realize that we had a great season," first baseman Traci Conrad said of the past season.

"We aren't going to judge the season because of what happened this week.

"We didn't quite do what we wanted to, but that happens. We just need to realize what a great team we are, and that we had a great season."

05-26-98