Softball tries to continue dynasty

With national championship hopes in some sports gone for Michigan fans, it's not too hard to start thinking about the Michigan softball team.

And why not? The girls of spring are a near-dynasty.

The Wolverines have won four straight of, well, a lot of things. Four straight Big Ten championships, four straight 50-win seasons, and four straight NCAA World Series appearances.

The Wolverines finished the 1997-98 season with a team-record 56 victories. Michigan finished ranked No. 6 in the nation after placing fifth in the World Series.

It may be still summer, but the team is already at work to extend its dynasty to five years.

And, possibly, add the only thing that has eluded the Wolverines in their 19-year history - a World Series championship.

Will year 20 be the charm?

The Wolverines will begin their quest at the Elk Rapids tournament in Elk Rapids, Mich., starting Friday.

The Wolverines will have a slightly different look than last year.

Besides losing five players and gaining four freshmen, the team has a new assistant coach, as Jennifer Brundage replaces Kelly Kovach in the dugout.

Brundage joins Michigan after assisting at UCLA and Tennessee-Chattanooga. And as for the players, they can't wait to start.

"We're all really excited," junior third baseman Pam Kosanke said. "Everyone looks sharp, and we've had some really good practices."

The Elk Rapids tournament also gives the team a chance to play a less stressful set of games.

"It's kind of a fun and see-the-freshmen weekend," Kosanke said. "We'll do our best to pick up where we left off."

Practice during the fall is vital for the team for many reasons, but most importantly, it allows the freshman to get adjusted and ready to play.

Michigan's recruiting class is one of its best ever, with four highly rated freshmen.

Utility player Mary Conner, pitcher Kate Eiland, second baseman Kelsey Kollen, and catcher Stephanie Volpe have a huge weight on their shoulders - replacing five players from last season's 56-7 squad.

The Wolverines lost Sara Griffin, Lisa Kelley, Jennifer McKittrick and Kellyn Tate to graduation. They also lost another letterwinner in Stacy Judd.

Still, Kosanke likes what she sees from her young teammates.

"The freshmen look really good," Kosanke said. "They have a lot of determination to get better."

And the Wolverines only need to improve a little bit to grab that elusive crown.

"That's always the goal, but it's taking baby steps to get there again," Kosanke said. "We've got a Big Ten banner up and (coach Carol Hutchins) tells us to make sure every time you step on the field, that that is where we want to go."

09-16-98