Softball finishes stretch of nine

Nine games in seven days is a tall order for anyone. But for the Michigan softball team, it's business as usual.

Coming off a weekend sweep of Big Ten rival Minnesota, Michigan (8-0 Big Ten, 35-5-1 overall) heads into the final four games of this nine-game stretch with the No. 6 ranking in the national polls, riding a 31 game unbeaten streak.

Penn State (4-2, 21-13) invades Alumni Field today for an afternoon doubleheader. If the Wolverines are to maintain their spot at the top of the conference, they need to get by third-place Penn State unscathed.

Michigan coach Carol Hutchins doesn't think that the grueling schedule will have much of an effect on her team.

"We've played seven games in a weekend before, so we're used to it," Hutchins said. "Sure you get tired, but it's part of the deal - you get used to it and expect it."

CHRIS CAMPERNEL/Daily The softball team caps off a stretch of nine games in just seven days with a doubleheader against Central today.

The Nittany Lions will bring two familiar faces with them, as former Michigan players Kelly Kovach and Kellyn Tate are now assistant coaches for Penn State. Both were All-Americas at Michigan in the '90s.

Penn State got its conference play started with a bang when the Nittany Lions swept a three game series with Iowa, Apr. 3-4.

But if history is any indication, the Wolverines should be able to counter whatever the Nittany Lions throw at them. Michigan is 21-1 all-time against Penn State, including an 11-game win streak.

If Michigan has any weakness, its on defense. Hutchins spent most of practice yesterday working on defensive drills with her players.

"I'm not real pleased with our defense. We've been putting two errors on the board pretty regularly," Hutchins said. "We've been making the big plays but have had some trouble with the routine ones."

As a bookend to Michigan's nine-game marathon, Central Michigan comes to Ann Arbor for a doubleheader on Wednesday, providing the Wolverines with a break from their conference schedule. Michigan has already beaten the Chippewas once this season, an 8-0 victory on March 28.

Hutchins feels that her team will not lose focus during the last game of the stretch.

"It's a game no matter how you look at it, whether it's in the Big Ten or not," Hutchins said. "We're used to playing 60 or 70 games in a season, so you've got to get your games in sometime."

If Hutchins had any concern about her defense, she should be able to relax with Marie Barda on the mound.

Barda has a pair of one-hit shutouts against Central Michigan in her career - the most recent of which was on the March 28 game.

Nine games in seven days - it will all be over on Wednesday evening. Chances are the Wolverines are going to go home on Wednesday, put their feet up and take a much deserved nap.

04-13-99