6B - The Michigan Daily - SPORTSMonday - March 31, 1997 LIONS Continued from Page 1B3 innings, struck out three and allowed only one run. Tyler Steketee closed out the game pitching the final two innings. "I think it was a great team effort," Zahn said. "Pitching kept us in there today, and then we started to swing the bats. We played good defense.' Yesterday's game ended a four-game series sweep of the Nittany Lions. Saturday, the teams got together for a doubleheader, in which each game was seven innings, and the final three innings of Friday's suspended game. In Saturday's second game, reliever Ryan Kelley picked up the win, going 4 1/3 innings, fanning four. Behind 3-2 going into the bottom of the fifth, the Wolverines scored 15 runs. Right field- er Brian Besco, who hit a homer earlier in the game, had a double, a single and two RBIs in the inning. The Wolverines won the first game of the series, 10-3. Starter Brian Steinbach went six innings for the win, giving up three runs on two hits and striking out six. Steketee pitched three scoreless innings for his third save. "(Steketee) came in that first game and saved it for us, and then he came in (yesterday) and finished it off," Zahn said. "We're looking for that guy to pitch in the last couple of innings and seal off the victory." Steketee credits the weekend's suc- cess to the team as a whole. "I give credit to our hitters,' Steketee said. "It's easy to pitch when your hit- ters score that many runs, because you know you can make a couple of mis- takes. "All I do is go out and try to get ahead of hitters. I think that's the biggest thing in college, get ahead of hitters. Once you do that, you can start fooling around with different pitches." J.J. Putz, last week's Big Ten pitcher of the week, pitched all of the first game of the double header, leading Michigan to an 8-3 victory. "I thought pitching was great,"short- stop Brian Kalczynski said. "Our pitch- ers came through, and that set the tone for the weekend.' Everything came together for the Wolverines against Penn State. They outscored the Lions, 49-16, and had only two errors all weekend. "We've been hitting the ball well, and we're getting good pitching together," Besco said. Michigan softball sweeps past Badgers By Josh Kiinbaum and Pranay Reddy Daily Sports Writer The Michigan softball team (3-0 Big Ten, 28-8-1 overall) might not have been able to beat Wisconsin (0-3, 14-11) in touch football, but they didn't have any trouble winning some softball games this weekend. After a short rain delay yesterday in which the Badgers beat Michigan in a playful game of touch football, 21-7, the Wolverines completed their three-game sweep of Wisconsin - winning the soft- ball games, in routs of 7-3, 7-1 and 10-1. It was a slow start for Michigan on Sunday, as the Badgers jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Michigan starting pitcher Sara Griffin. Wisconsin rightfielder Rebecca Gilgen ripped a double in the top half of the second inning, giving the Badgers' their first scoring chance. And with opportunity knocking, Wisconsin's Holly Riester slapped a single off Griffin. With Gilgen rounding third, Michigan centerfielder Lisa Kelley fired Riester's shot back into catcher Jen Smith. The play at the plate gave Wisconsin the first run of the game as Smith dropped the ball, allowing Gilgen to score. In the third, Courtney Coleman's sin- gle started Wisconsin's surge to its sec- ond run of the game. Michigan's half of the third started the rally for the Wolverines. Second base- man Jessica Lang's single got the inning started for the Wolverines, as pinch-run- ner Tracy Taylor stole second base. On the throw from Wisconsin catcher Amanda Berg, Taylor was able to advance to third, as Borchard mishandled the throw. As quickly as Borchard was Wisconsin's hero in the second inning, she became the goat. It was her two errors in the inning that allowed Michigan to score its first run. The Wolverines tied the game at two on a passed ball, scoring shortstop Pam Kosanke from third. Michigan surged ahead, 3-2, as Kelley's single resulted in her scoring on another Wisconsin error. While the third inning signaled Michigan's comeback, it was the fifth that was the beginning of the end for Wisconsin. The Wolverines scored four runs in the inning to put away the slumping Badgers. In the home-opener Saturday, the firsi game of a doubleheader, the Wolverine5 used a balanced offensive attackto defeal the Badgers, 7-1. Michigan put runs on the board in four separate innings, 9 Griffin made the best of an off day. allowing only one run in six innings. "I don't think Sara (Griffin) was at her best by any means," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said. "Wisconsin's a good hitting team, and they were on her. Griffin started off the game by giving up a walk, and the Badgers took advan- tage. After an infield pop-up, Wisconsin's Amanda Berg singled to right, advancing Coleman to sec. Griffin got the next Badger on a fly ouEc right field, but Wisconsin rightfielder Chrissy Swartout singled to center, scor- ing Coleman. But Griffin settled down, retiring the next six batters she faced. After scoring two more runs in the sec- ond, the Wolverines put the game away in the fourth. Kosanke lead off the inning with a double to right field before being replaced by pinch-runner Tracey Ta A Conrad followed up with a single to led scoring Taylor. After-Kelley put down her second sacrifice of the game, Davie sin- gled and Griffin doubled, scoring two more runs and giving the Wolverines a 6- 1 lead. Michigan held on for the victory, 7-1. "You always like to win your first game of the day, and you always want to win your Big Ten opener," Hutchins said. "So I'm pleased. That's what you wa " . In the nightcap, the Wolverinestk advantage of some costly Wisconsin errors to jump out to a 10-0 lead and hel on for the victory, 10-1, in a shortene( five-inning affair due to the eight-ru mercy rule. After jumping out to a four-run lead i the first two innings, Michigan closed th door on the Badgers in the third. Pitcher Kelly Holmes turned in a gen of a game for the Wolverines, givi r only two hits in her four innings of rI and not allowing any runs. Holmes (8-4 is second on the Michigan squad'with 1.31 ERA. JONAR HAN SUMMER/Daily Sophomore Traci Conrad had an RBI single in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday, but the Michigan softball team did more scoring than that. In three games against Wisconsin, the Wolverines won by a combined score of 24-5. m GOLDEN BACH Continued from Page 4B The one player who really is tough to figure out on this team is Baston. Unfortunately, Fisher didn't take advan- tage of this guy's talent until he inserted him into the starting lineup full-time near the end of the season. Until then, Baston had as many breakout games (24 points vs. Indiana; 20 points vs. Florida State) as he did disappearing acts (three points on 0-for- 7 shooting at Minnesota; two points in 27 minutes at Purdue). But he played well in the NIT, despite overcoming a foot injury which cut his playing time. Baston is one player who can be excused for lack of production simply because his lack of playing time. Still, in the time he spent on the court, he didn't develop an offensive game and has no moves under the basket. Baston: B- The NIT title has certainly softened the pain of this season's underachieve- ment. It gave Michigan something to be proud of, something to call itself chain- pions of, and something to raise a ban- ner for in Crisler Arena next fall. But this isn't what Fisher had in mind. Again, he has underachieved with an amazing crop of talented ath- letes. Don't, however, blame Fisher for all the team's shortcomings. He is respon- sible for teaching this team and moti- vating it every night. He is also expect- ed to discipline this team and keep it under control. As evidenced by the car accident last year and the subsequent chain of events, he can't do that. But as easily as Fisher can't control this bunch, this team should be mature enough to control itself. This isn't high school ball, although several players act as if it still is. And until this team learns some self-discipline, Michigan can never expect to go further than the NIT or the first round of the NCAAs, although it has the talent to do much better. Like being one of the teams playing in tonight's final. Overall: C- - Alan Goldenbach can be reached over email at agold@umich.edu Tennis improves streak By Andy Latack Daily Sports Writer In the first match at their new com- plex, the Michigan men's tennis team left their opponents in the dark. Literally. A two-hour power outage almost delayed the start of Michigan's Saturday match against Ohio State. It was the Wolverines, however, who came out charged for the weekend, shutting out the Buckeyes, 7-0, and winning a nail- biter, 4-3, over Indiana. Newly completed Tisch Tennis Center proved to be an updated version of home sweet home for the Wolverines, who have won eight straight home matches - a feat carried over from last season. Michigan (2-2 Big Ten, 4-9 overall), also snapped an eight-game losing streak finally winning a close match, a task the Wolverines have had trouble with. Ohio State failed to test the Wolverines, extending only two of the six singles matches to three sets. Michigan also swept the Buckeyes in doubles, earning its first doubles points this season. Michigan coach Brian Eisner was relieved, yet not surprised, when his team broke its extended streak. "My feeling has always been that we really are a good team, we just haven't proven it," Eisner said. While the Wolverines may have walked all over Ohio State, Indiana would prove a more formidable oppo- nent. The Wolverines were unable to contin- ue their solid doubles play, however, los- ing all three to the Hoosiers to open the match. Junior co-captain David Paradzik then handily defeated Gabel at the No. 1 spot, 6-3, 6-1, to tie the match at one. After trading matches at numbers four and five singles, Arvid Swan, Michigan's other junior co-captain, battled back from a first set tiebreaker loss to defeat Hayden Gibson, 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-1. Michigan could not close out the match just yet. Freshman Matt Wright, playing in place of Swan at number two, wasted an early one set lead to lose, 6-3, 5-7, 5-7, to Anton Klaric. This evened the score at three, and shifted attention to freshman Brad McFarlane and the decisive number six singles match. McFarlane fought back from a one-set deficit to lead, 1-0, in the third over Andrew Held. With McFarlane up 3-1, he quickly held serve, broke his opponent's, and cruised to a 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 victory. Eisner immediately wrapped McFarlane in a bear hug, celebrating the victory. The freshman's poise under pressure was a big step for the entire team, according to Eisner. "I can't say enough good things about Brad," Eisner said. "For a freshman to step up and show such confidence and maturity is a wonderful thing. If we're going to be a great team, we must have those things. We have to win the close ones." PARADISE Continued from Page 38 nation in scoring for the third straight season. He led his team to three semifi- nals and finished his career as Michigan's all-time leader in assists and points. "He hasn't had a Hobey Baker sea- son'" Michigan coach Red Berenson said Friday. "He's had a Hobey Baker career." No. 4'" Michigan men's swimmers at the 1996 Summer Olympics In the end, he made the right decision. Initially, men's swimming coach Jon Urbanchek took a lot of heat for focus- ing on the Olympics. After all, his deci- sion cost the Wolverines their 11th straight Big Ten title and any realistic shot at the national title. But Michigan had won the NCAA championship in 1995, and the Olympics take place only once every four years. Who was he to dash his swimmers' Olympic dreams? "If you screw around with the Olympics, there won't be another chance," Urbanchek said. "These guys only have one chance. You have to think about what's best for the athlete.' Current and former Wolverines went on to capture five medals and far more recognition and prestige than they could have by winning any college title. In the end, Urbanchek made the right decision. No. 3 " No. 21 Michigan 13, No. 2 Ohio State 9, Nov. 23, 1996, in Columbus The year before, Michigan had knocked an unbeaten and second-ranked Ohio State team out of the Rose Bowl in a 31-23 shocker. "When will I get over that game?" Ohio State coach John Cooper asked later. "Never. Absolutely never." You can bet he'll never get over this one either, because as it turned out, th loss meant more than the 1995 defeat. In 1996, the Buckeyes went on to wii the Rose Bowl and finish No. 2 in th nation. If they had beaten th Wolverines, they would have won h national title. "Opportunities don't come veiy oftei to do something special in life, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said afte the game. You're right, coach. It's hard to imag ine a more "special" victory. Excep maybe .... No. 2 * No. 5 Michigan 26, No. Notre Dame 24, Sept. 10, 1994, i South Bend Why do Michigan fans hate Dame so much? Because Notre Dame is arguably th only school with a greater football tradi tion than Michigan. That's why this Michigan victory - won on Remy Hamilton's 42-yard field goal with two seconds left - meant s< much. In retrospect, it means even more considering it marked Gary Moeller' last great victory as Michigan coach. And the winner is ... . No. 1 " 1996 NCAA hockey final Michigan 3, Colorado College 2 (OT) in Cincinnati "It felt so good," coach Red Berensoi said afterward, "It felt good forthe tean (and) the school. They have somethini now which is not easy to win." What few remember about the gam< is that Michigan was actually outplayed The Tigers outshot the Wolverines, 23 19, and controlled the second taking a 2-1 lead before Michigan tie the game in the third and then won on i Morrison goal in overtime. Did the better team win? Maybe not But it didn't matter. For Berenson and the Wolverines their time had finally come. - Barry Sollenberger can be reachec over e-mail atjsol@umich.edu. I Gamma Sigma Alpha, the National Greek Honor Society, congratulates its 1997 Mark Axelrod Amanda Cochran Emily Dawson Courtney Dwight Ron Gaba Scott Ginsburg Erica Greenstein Julie Guith Nicole Herron Lesley Kagan Rebecca Klempner Rebecca Long Martin Maddin Amanda Malina Lisa LaMastro inductees: Tau Epsilon Phi Chi Omega Alpha Delta Phi Alpha Phi Delta Sigma Phi Tau Epsilon Phi Delta Zeta Alpha Phi Sigma Kappa Kappa Alpha Theta Kappa Alpha Theta Alpha Delta Pi' Tau Kappa Epsilon Alpha Phi Alpha Phi Redefine the &~ eer M11Onth. p Glve your summer new meaning. a summer you'll never forget. Soak knowledge that will get y61ahead. it sI k Earn credits...explor new " ' accelerate y r degre ASK ABOUT OUR EARL ROLLM T DISCOUNT! As a summer school studen ou will be 0*9TH NNUAL taught in small classroom settings by Mus SUMM ---- -W 'RW m mm&va-l I I