Bizarre streaks end for Wolverines

By Jon Schwartz

Daily Sports Writer

Lost in the success of the Michigan softball team this season has been some dubious achievements that it was finally able to kill over the weekend.

Coming into their first games of the season at Alumni Field, the Wolverines were suffering through an 18-inning home scoreless streak that was extended to 31 before the team finally sent a runner home in the fifth inning of the yesterday's first game.

It was a stretch that included a four-game home losing streak which extended back through the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Regional last year, both of which were held at Alumni Field.

Even though freshman Marissa Young did not experience the entire streak, even she realized that it's good to return the word "advantage" to the home field.

"It's good to be back at home," she said.

Tallying the successes: While some poor streaks were coming to their much desired end over the weekend, the Wolverines were able to add some impressive numbers to their list of achievements.

The two wins on Sunday added up to the team's 50th and 51st all-time victories over the Golden Gophers since 1983 - against only 21 losses. Only three Big Ten teams have lost more games to the Wolverines.

Also, in yesterday's second game, the Wolverines won at home for the 250th time in the 18 years since Alumni Field was built. Barring the possibility of Michigan hosting one or both post-season tournaments, the team could end the season with 260.

Not so clutch hitting: Hitting in clutch situations has been at a premium all season for the Wolverines. The troubles continued over the weekend as the team rarely came through with runners in scoring position. Of the 23 runners that the Wolverines left on base in the three game weekend, 17 of them were in scoring position, six of whom got as far as third base.

While the team was able to capitalize on their opportunities yesterday against Minnesota, making the most of their potential situations could certainly have helped them in Friday's 2-0 loss to the Badgers.

Danny Kalick/ Daily

Marissa Young gets tied up with Minnesota thirdbaseman Allie Fisk during yesterday's doubleheader. The wins were Michigan's 50th and 51st all-time over Minnesota.