14- The Michigan Daily - Friday, April 15, 1994 Blue streaks against Lions Softball hopes to continue win streak over PSU By MARC DILLER DAILY SPORTS WRITER When two teams moving in oppo- site directions collide this weekend, they will battle for respect in the Big Ten conference. The Michigan softball team (6-2 Big Ten, 19-17 overall), winners of seven of its last nine games, travels to State College, Penn. where they will face Penn State (1-7, 5-23) in apair of doubleheaders. "We're playing good ball now and it's just a matter of playing it out on the field," Michigan softball coach Carol Hutchins said. The Wolverines chances of ex- tending their streak looks probable given that Michigan has defeated the Nittany Lions in the teams' last 10 contests. The Wolverines are currently ranked third in the division whereas the Nittany Lions still linger in the conference's basement. In the most recent NCAA poll, Michigan received honorable mention votes and was ranked fifth in the Mideast Region Poll behind conference foes, Indiana (17th) and Iowa (20th). The Wolverines enter this weekend's games with a 7-2 mark against teams in the March 30 NCAA Top 25. This is the first time that Michigan has been ranked in the 1994 regional rankings. Michigan can't be too overconfi- dent, however. The Wolverines are in the midst of studying for finals and have to maintain focus in order to continue their good fortune. "We're just trying to get our work done," Hutchins said. "Which in- cludes homework in both areas, on the field and off." Led by its pitching phenoms - junior Kelly Kovach (9-8, 1.35 ERA), sophomore Tracy Carr (2-0, 0.74 ERA) and freshman Kelly Holmes (8-9, 2.75 ERA) - Michigan boasts one of the top defenses in the confer- ence. Penn State, however, is plagued by defense that is frequently ineffec- tive - allowing just under six runs per game and a 4.36 ERA. Its offense is not much better - batting .253 with only 2.78 runs per game. The Wolverines have suffered their own hitting woes of late, though. The team is batting a lowly .233 and has only managed to score 2.75 runs per game. In its Wednesday double- header match-up with Eastern Michigan, Michigan only managed to muster two runs on 15 hits. "We're out to play good defense," Hutchins said. "It starts on the mound. We need to play good defense and hope our offense wins the game for us." The Wolverines have the good fortune of being two games over .500 - even with their rough season. Michigan is still competing for its third consecutive Big Ten champion- ship, and the Nittany Lions are trying to emerge from the cellar's depths. "We need to stay focused, stay confident and play good defense," Hutchins said. "When you're playing in the Big Ten conference, every game matters." M'gofers look for top finish in Irish invite By REBECCA MOATZ DAILY SPORTS WRITER Just one week after Jose-Maria Olazabal won the Masters, it is no coincidence that the Michigan women's golf team enters this weekend's golf tournamentwith more confidence than usual. On the final day of the tournament, Olazabalfoundanoteinhislocker from 1983 Masters champion Steve Bellesteros that read, "Be patient.... You are the best golfer in the world." Although they may not be the best golfers in the world, and they will not be sporting the green blazers worn by Masters champions, the Wolverines have shown signs of steady improve- ment. They are achieving the goals they set for themselves - mainly increased confidence and a more con- sistent short game. After finishing 14th in last weekend's Southern Florida Spring Invitational, the Wolverines expect to finish in the top five at tomorrow's Irish Invitational in South Bend, Ind. "We should finish at least in the top three," Michigan coach Kathy Teichert said. "It should be tough, but we should be able to do it." Participating in this weekend's tournament will be juniors Tegan and Tiffany McCorkel and Jenny Zimmerman, sophomore Shannon McDonald and freshmen Molly Vandebark and Wendy Westfall. McDonald has been consistently leading the team, having accumulated a 12th-place finish at the Indiana In- vitational and tying for 10th at USF. She attributes her improved game to her work on her short game, specifi- cally putting. The team will have its hands full this weekend. Playing against Big Ten rivals Michigan State, Wisconsin and Purdue will provide the Wolverines with plenty of competition but the ultimate goal will be to overcome the Spartans. Finishing just a few strokes behind 0 Michigan State last weekend provided the Wolverines with the motivation to work harder this weekend. "If we can beat (Michigan State and Iowa), we can come to the middle of the Big Ten," McDonald said. And while aquality finish may not rival a green blazer, it would not be a bad consolation prize. Michigan's Lesa Arvia swings for the fences earlier this season. The junior outfielder looks to improve her .205 average in Happy Valley as she and the rest of the Wolverines try for their 11th straight win over Penn State. U, I Celebrate Spring NOWONTAP Hacker-Pschorr Maibock Come check out our four new beers on tap! Make Ashley's Your Spot On State! 338 S. State 996-9191 0 I 0 I' it's Sh ans Summer it's Boulder " Enjoy the relaxed, comfortable atmosphere of the Boulder campus * Choose from over 500 courses * Select from five-, eight-, and ten-week terms or intensive courses * Have time to work, travel, or just have fun Plan now to make the Summer of 1994 a Boulder one! Term A: June 6-July 8 Term B: July 12-August 12 Term C: June 6-July 29 Term D: June 6-August 12 Shorter, intensive courses also available. Call or write for your free CU-Boulder Summer Session Catalog. (303) 492-2456 Office of Admissions- Regent Administrative Center 125 - Campus Box 30 University of Colorado at Boulder - Boulder, CO 80309-0030 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER Yes, send me the free 1994 CU-Boulder Summer Session Catalog. Name 0 , ., r. : ,r a3 m