Baseball vs. Michigan St. (DH) Sunday, 1 p.m. Fisher Stadium S Softball vs. Ohio State (DH) Today, 3 p.m. Alumni Field Wolverines do Tour-dc-Michigan 'M' plays at Spartans tomorrow, return to Fisher Stadium Sunday By SCOTT BURTON wreaked havoc on Michigan's prena- the collegiate Pla er f the Year-has The Wolverine nitchers chbold get i DAILY BASEBALL WRITER When Ernie Banks said "let's play two," he probably didn't have in mind battling gusting winds to catch a fly ball or fielding a ground ball with frost- bitten hands. But such is the fate of the Michi- gan baseball team (2-2 Big Ten, 7- 12 overall) who will have to over- come unpredictable weather patterns this weekend to challenge Michi- gan State (3-1, 10-9). The series opens with a double- header tomorrow in East Lansing and concludes with a twinbill Sun- day in Ann Arbor. "We're getting used to playing baseball outside," Michigan coach Bill Freehan said. "The more we do that, the better we will be as a base- ball team. You just hope that you can have a chance to practice out- side." The harsh conditions this week have ration for the weekend. The second game of a doubleheader with Siena Heights was canceled Tuesday. In ad- dition, practice and a intra-squad game were also disrupted. "The weather is distracting for everybody," Freehan said. "We're disappointed (that the second game with Siena was canceled) because it allows you more of an opportunity to play baseball and see more people." Despite the problems created by the weather, Michigan has started to make the improvements that Freehan has been looking for all year. The Wolverines' bats have come alive the past five games after a slump against Arizona State. Michigan knocked in just under five runs a game over that span, and raised its team average to .271. Sophomore leftfielderScott Weaver - a candidate for the Smith Award for g 1L4J 4.'i patLIIy'. A '.m4 -" ib been the main catalyst, leading the team with a .355 batting average. Just as important, the starting pitching hit its stride in last weekend's four game series with Indiana. Ray Ricken tossed his third com- plete game, Ron Hollis threw a shut- out and, aside from a seven-run lapse in the final inning against the Hoo- siers, Michigan allowed only seven runs in the previous 26 innings at Bloomington. HeathMurray (1-3,5.00ERA), who pitched six strong innings last week- end, will be the first-game starter. Ricken (2-3, 3.82) will pitch the second game. Hollis (1-3, 5.11), will be Sunday's opening game starter. Chris Newton (0- 1, 4.91) will pitch the series capper. "I thought (the pitchers) were good to outstanding," Freehan said. "They have given me no reason to lose any confidence in them." 111~t VT Jp gV.'* AiR' . 11GAL% b11VU1U,.R l ' a fair test from the first-place Spartins, who took three of four games from Illinois. Michigan State is hitting .318, with sophomore catcher Matt Riggins at .409 and senior outfielder Steve Money at .389. Five other Spartansare above .300. "They are a team that you have to play pretty good baseball against t4 be successful," Freehan said. Michigan State's pitching does not possess the same depth as its hitters, though. Starters Todd Pine (2-0, 1.83) and Trevor Harvey (4-0, 3.12) have been conference standouts but Tom Olejnik (1-2, 9.31) and Dan Garman (0-4, 23.14) have been statistical eye- sores. "One of their big pitchers that we expected to be outstanding (Garman) doesn't appear to be pitching well," Freehan said. "But my concern isn't with what somebody else doesjt's with what we do." Kevin Crociata and his teammates look to gun down JONATHAN LURIE/Daily the Spartans. I Softball opens home season against Bucks By MARC DILLER DAILY SPORTS WRITER The disappointment of a sub-par 1994 record in non-conference play has not affected the spirits of the Michi- gan softball team. The Wolverines are just happy to finally be at home after an arduous preseason jaunt. Michigan (12-14) will host two doubleheaders this weekend against Big Ten rival and 22nd-ranked Ohio State (13-9) at Alumni Field. r This weekend marks the beginning of the Wolverines' home season and their quest for a third consecutive Big Ten title. The team plans to put its preseason distractions behind it and focus only on the fundamentals that will win ball games. "We need to be focused on what's ahead of us and focus on Michigan," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said. "Now, we need to focus on what we're good at as a team." 2' The Wolverines' struggles as of late have not been due to their lack of skills. Despite its two losses to Notre Dame on Wednesday, Michigan still managed to pound out 17 hits. Rather, the team has had difficulty in sustain- well." Michigan returns several standouts from last year's championship squad. The Wolverines will depend on cap- tain Mary Campana, 1993 first team All-Big Ten infielder, to lead them to victory. Junior Kelly Kovach, a member of the All-Big Ten second team, will take her 7-7 record and 1.04 ERA to the mound for the Wolverines at least once this weekend. And infielderTracyCarr, the 1993 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, has to continue her hitting bar- rage with her team leading.283 batting average. The Buckeyes will not just fold at the Wolverines expense, though. Ohio State is tabbed as one of the favorites in the Big Ten this year and looks to avenge the Wolverines' four game sweep last season. Pitcher Genice Turley has been consistently impressive, posting nine of the Buckeyes' 13 wins with a 1.42 ERA. Likewise, leftfielder Jen Fredrickson has been solid at the plate this season, batting a stellar .424 and knocking in 15 runs. Notwithstanding Ohio State's mediocre fifth place finish in the Big Ten last year, Michigan refuses I think we need to get tougher mentally and suck it up when we don't do something well and find some way to turn it around and do it well.' - Carol Hutchins Michigan softball coach to treat the meeting lightly. The homecoming could be just the cure that the team needs to combat its slow start. "There's no excuse in the win- loss column," Hutchins said. "We're not going to blame it on the youth or we're not going to attribute it to anything." The Wolverine's disappointing pre- season record doesn't worry them though. Two years ago, Michigan won the Big Ten title despite a losing record in its preseason (15-18). "We know what we're supposed to do, and that's play Big Ten ball," Hutchins said. Kovach ing its focus. "The key is finding a way to win rather than playing not to lose," Hutchins said. "I think we need to get tougher mentally and suck it up when we don't do something well and find some way to turn it around and do it ,E4 ourfuture You should get a little experience before you navigate these roads: SAT MCAT. GIIII RE & GM T SPORTS INFORMATION Infielder Tracy Carr leads the Wolverines in batting with her .283 average. Introducing New Menu Items: Sze Chuan Soft Shell Crab, Beef Chow Fun Giant Green Mussels with Black Bean Sauce, Seafood Pan Fried Noodles (Cantonese Style), Mandarin Pork Chop (Marinated pork chop served with tomato and lettuce), Kung Pao Squid & more 13 I. 1 0 t " 0 !!!"',T1 Fox Village Theatre] Jackson & Maple Village Center All Seats All Shows $1.50! Now Showing: Friday 4/1- Thursday 4/7 Daily MCAT Saturday, April 2 GRE & GMAT Saturday, April 9 'could make the road ahead a little less treacherous. Call Kaplan for reserved seating or more Information 662-3149 Mrs. Doubtfire Grumpy Old Men Six Degrees of Separation Beethoven's Second Pelican Brief 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 9:55 12:50, 2:50, 4:50, 7:20, 9:30 1:15, 4:15, 7:15, 9:40 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 7:00,9:45 Luu Open 7 days a week 11am-1Opm 1201 S. University o 668-2445 .nrA "* I -! " " f " "'t ".'i8i ! s, " i'