Softball vs. Eastern Michigan Today, 3 p.m. (DH) Alumni Field S Baseball vs. Notre Dame Today, 3 p.m. Fisher Stadium Big Ten title race heats up for women's tennis Tough Eagles next for streaking Blue hitters By MATT GOLDFINE FOR THE DAILY The Michigan Wolverines tennis team currently is in the midst of one of the most exciting races for the Big 10 title in memory. The title is at stake this weekend as Michigan takes on the first-place Northwestern Wildcats and third-place Wisconsin Badgers. *Before the Wolverines can think about this weekend though, they will have ,.to deal with a dual match on the road against their instate rivals, the Michi- gan State Spartans. Michigan (6-1 Big Ten, 11-6over- ; tl) is coming off a victory last week- "end over conference rival Penn State. The Wolverines prevailed in that miatch, 8-1. Liz Cyganiak captured the team's 'entiment after the Penn State win. "Everybody was real confident and excited," she said. "As the season has progressed, everyone has just gotten betterand better witheach match. We've really found our focus, and I think we will be ready for this weekend." Even though MSU is having a tough year (0-5 Big Ten, 5-8 overall), Michigan will still have its hands full. "We can not afford to overlook Michigan State," Sophomore Angie Popek said. "They always seem to get real fired up against us, because of the big state rivalry that the schools have going." Although the team cannot over- look Michigan State, the general feel- ing of the team was one of excitement for this coming weekend. "I am really excited about this week- end," head coach Bitsy Ritt said. "We control our own destiny. We have had a great year, the continual progress with every match. With the help of the schedulers, we now have the perfect ending to our season." Northwestern currently is No.7 in the country. The Wildcats are un- beaten in twelve matches this year, 6- 0 in the Big Ten. Michigan's other opponent this weekend, Wisconsin, is j ust a half game behind Michigan in the Big Ten race. By JOSH KARP DAILY SOFTBALL WRITER The Michigan softball team is frus- trated. It is not the team's play that is upsetting-the Wolverines have won six in a row - but the fact that three of its last seven games have been rained out. Yesterday, the squad's doubleheader at Michigan State was canceled due to a downpour. Today, Michigan (18-16) will host Eastern Michigan (22-10) in a double- header starting at 3 p.m. at Alumni Field. The Eagles are hot, having won seven of their last 10 ball games. They are batting .283 as a team, and have scored 142 runs - an average of 4.44 per game. On the other hand, Michigan, al- though it has hit better lately, still carries a .230 team batting average. The team has crossed the plate just 97 times - a sub-par 2.85 per game. "Our batting average is lower than a lot of other teams," shortstop Mary Campana said. "(But) I think everyone's starting to peak. I think everyone's starting to get kind of on a little hot streak. "I know we've had a slow start hitting-wise to begin with, but I think everyone's coming around now." Improvement in the Wolverines' hitting remains to be seen, but the pitching has certainly come around. Led by the threesome of Kelly Kovach (8-8, 1.44 ERA), Kelly Holmes (8-8, 2.80) and Tracy Carr (2-0, 0.74), Michigan coach Carol Hutchins has something to be proud of. Holmes was the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week. In three appearances against No. 18 Northwestern, Holmes allowed a mere three runs and struck out eight batters in 19.2 innings. "Our staff helps each other out," Hutchins said. "Kelly (Holmes) is getting better as the season goes on. Kovach we still expect to carry our load. She's the leader of our staff and makes us click as a unit." Campana agreed, and said the staff is reliable when it comes to strong See SOFTBALL, Page 10 :~. e i .__ _. SARAH WHITING/Daily The Michigan softball team attempts to lengthen its six-game winning streak with a doubleheader tomorrow against Eastern Michigan. Women 's rugby struggles for a victory and a tie By LAUREN ROSENFIELD Michigan, however, soon made a comeback. for Michigan. FOR THE DAILY There were three Wolverines and only one Bronco Pressure was the word to describe the gam Whoever said that women can't play rough on Western's weak side. Senior Leah Niederstadt, against Western. For a new team, it was well hasn't been watching the Michigan women's rugby playing No. 8, scored. prepared to challenge Michigan Saturday. team lately. "There was a lot of really good kicking," junior "The referee even told us that the Western tear Saturday, the Wolverines beat Western Michi- hooker Rosie Boyak said. "We exhibited fine hook- was more lit than we are," Boyak said. "He though gan,10-5, and tied Illinois, 5-5. ing, and the scrum played an excellent game as well." they were going to win because of their size; eve Western scored in the first two minutes. The last two minutes of the match were the he was surprised." "Because they are a new team, we were kind of decisive ones. The Broncos did put up a fight. taken aback," said junior fullback Katie Page, who After a full-length kick by senior flyhalf "They were laying on the ball to protect it, was unable to play due to injury. "They were much Juliette Rogers, junior prop Erika Melnykowycz Page said. "But our strategy was to remove ther stronger than we had anticipated." dove into the try zone and scored to win the game from the ground." Easy conquest of once-vaunted Cleveland club surprises M' men a I e I- m ht n m 4- 1 . Department of Recreational Sports INTRAMURAL SPORTS PROGRAM Sy RAVI GOPAL OAILY SPORTS WRITER Going into last Saturday's matchup against the Cleveland Rugby football Club, the Michigan men's 1ugby team figured it would have a 0tough match on its hands - wrong. The Wolverines pounded Cleve- Jand, winning two games by scores of 49-17 and 19-12. The first game fea- tured Michigan's top players; in the second game, many of the Wolverine youngsters gained valuable experience. The opener saw Michigan jump out to a 34-0 halftime lead. The Wol- verines were helped by the fact that * the wind was in their favor for the first half, which made play tough for the Clevelanders. Cleveland's vaunted, possession-oriented offense failed to materialize, and their players were overwhelmed by the Wolverines' speed. "We got the wind in the first half, and got a big spurt by utilizing our speed," said Michigan Rugby Club President Tom Warburton. "We did a lot of kicking." With a large cushion, the Wolver- ines were able to coast through the second half, even though Cleveland had the wind in its favor. "The only reason Cleveland scored was because they had the wind (in the ~second half)," said Achal Kapoor. The second game was a tough battle for the young Michigan squad, O but its ever-increasing maturity proved to be a catalyst for a victory. "Our second game, the ball-han- dling came together," said Warburton. "[Outlaw's] ball-handling has greatly improved, and Jon Dine did a great job handling the ball." Since Michigan had not played Cleveland since the spring of 1991, its assumptions were based on what it saw of Cleveland then: a big, talented ballclub. The first of these ass proved to be true, but Mich its lack of height to its advo smaller, quicker players we run circles around Clevelan footed defenders, and this dent in both games. "[Cleveland] was big a umptions bit slow," said Kapoor. igan used "Their skill level has declined over antage. Its the last couple of years," said ere able to Warburton. nd's slow- But Michigan's talent was evident. was evi- "Fitness was the key," said Springs. "We have a talented team, nd a little and [talent] just carried us through." THANKS!! TO ALL THE STUDENTS, FACULTY and STAFF WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE WINTER TERM INTRAMURAL SPORTS PROGRAM!!! Good luck on the exams; and, Congratulations to those students graduatingi! For Additional Information Contact IMSB 763-3562 *WE .. .& A Ahqw m aqpw- mownit jgow&m mrdo!' r/ti! TI 1!' ..., Does waiting in line bug you? Columbia Review INTENS E MCAT PR EPIARRATION C1ASSES BEGIN ENRLL OW!1-800-300-PREP We have all the services to get you in and out FAST! * Automated machines that collate and staple " Report binding while you wait " Canon Color Copies in minutes " Overheads before class begins t\ 1s o e 990 color I \ copies I. I 990, re nortj1 ,.Id/g Ship UPS with us. FlyELALisrael AirIes! 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