Softba1 tosOSU ity Uma Subramanian Df45 Sports Writer Familiar results in an unfamiliar set- N -- that was the theme this past weekend as the Michigan softball team swept Ohio State in a three-game home series against the Buckeyes. While win- ning isn't new for the Wolverines (8-0 Big Ten, 29-3 overall), the locale was. The Wolverines played at home for the first time since April 27, 1997. Although the Buckeyes (2-6, 14-14) are a young, inexperienced team, it was series in which Michigan needed even innings to put them away in all three games, as resilience and experi- ence ultimately prevailed. This was especially true yesterday when the Wolverines were trailing, 3-2, heading into the bottom of the sixth. With two out, Michigan's Tammy Mika singled and then stole second, leaving it up to freshman shortstop Rebecca Tune to bring her home. After Tune reached bass, Mika pulled a double steal, bring- Mika in for the run. It was a dramat- ic moment as Mika slid past home plate and reached back to score the run and tie the game. With the go-ahead run on sec- ond. pinch hitter Kellyn Tate hit a See OHIO STATE, Page 4B 41v "An 4& PORTS ONDAY - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - -- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - S V P I Blue takes 2nd place By Vaughn R. Klug Daily Sports Writer The Michigan women's gymnastics team went to the 1998 Central Regional Championships in Tuscaloosa, Ala., with two goals in mind. The first goal was to win, and the second was to qualify for NCAAs. The Wolverines' fell short of their first goal as Alabama prevailed in front of a home crowd of 5,290 Saturday night. The Crimson Tide registered a team score of 196.55, compared to the Wolverines' second-place score of 196. It appears as though competing before a home crowd is a key factor when it comes to winning the Central Regional Championships. In 1997, Michigan was cheered on to victory by the crowd at Crisler Arena. This year, the partisan fans cheering at Coleman Coliseum may have been the catalyst that drove Alabama to the title and possibly hindered the Wolverines' chances. "This year's competition had a different feel- ing," Michigan's Sarah Cain said. "Last year we were at home, and this year Alabama had the advantage." Despite the disappointment of not defending last year's regional crown -- which would have guaranteed the Wolverines an automatic bid to the national championships - the team's overall score was still good enough to reach their second goal and earn an at-large bid to NCAAs. No. 2 Michigan's second-place finish has an even sweeter ring to it when considering the fierce competition. All seven teams were ranked among the Top 25 in the nation, with No. 3 Alabama ranked just behind the Wolverines. Other competi- tors included the 1998 Big Ten champion, Minnesota, as well as conference rivals Michigan State and Illinois. Senior co-captain Heater Kabnick secured the most prestigious individual honor at this year's regionals - the first-place title in the all-around - with a score of 39.375. "I was really excited that I won," Kabnick said. "But I would have traded it for winning the Central Regional Championships." En route to winning or tying for first place in three of the four events, Cain came up big, earning a tie for first place on the vault with a 9.875, Sophomore Lisa Simes was also a key to the Wolverines' success, as she shared the uneven bars title with a near-perfect 9.9. The alleviation of pressure that came from try- ing to defend seven consecutive Big Ten champi- onships was a major relief to the team and provid- ed for a better performance. "Regionals were exciting," all-Big Ten fresh- man Bridget Knaeble said. "We weren't as ner- vous as we were at Big Tens." The team's relaxed attitude may have been spurred by coach Bev Plocki's pre-meet speech, which calmed the team and put the stress of the tournament into perspective. "I told the team we have nothing to lose and everything to gain," Plocki said. "No one can take anything away from us." For now, the team has two weeks to prepare for the national powerhouses that will assemble af NCAAs, hosted by UCLA. JOHN KRAFT/aih Junior Lisa Simes and the Michigan women's gymnastics team placed second at the NCAA Central Regional this weekend, The Wolverines qualified for the NCAA Championships in two weeks. Bucks bounce 'M' into last place Michigan center Johns signs with WNBA y Andy Latack. Daily Sports Writer COLUMBUS - As the curtains closed on this weekend's series with Ohio State, the Michigan baseball team found itself in a very unfamiliar place. Last. After losing three of four games to the Buckeyes at Bill Davis Stadium, last year's regular season Big Ten champions now sit in the conference cellar. looking from the outside on the race for the Big Ten title. Michigan (2-6 Big Ten, 10-15 overall) 'and Ohio State (5-3, 17-8) were the top two teams in the conference last year, but have gone different ways since their Big Ten season started. Still, the two teams added another chapter to their heated rivalry with this weekend's bat- tles. Michigan posted its only victory of e weekend in a 12-8 slugfest in yester- day's season finale. Derek and Bryan Besco, mired in a combined 1-for-39 slump going into yesterday's game, each belted three-run homers as the Wolverines exploded for nine runs in the fifth and sixth inning off Ohio State starter Andy Lee. "Michigan sophomore Bryan Cranson (2-3) earned the victory, striking out six while going 6 1/3 innings. "It just goes to show you, when the cescos are playing well, we play well," Michigan coach Geoff Zahn said. Derek went 2-for-4 with four RBI, and Bryan went 2-for-3 with three RBI. Yesterday's victory served as some consolation for the first three games of the series, which the Wolverines lost by a combined total of three runs. The nightcap of Saturday's double- header, a hard-fought battle that came down to the last inning. typified the intensity of the weekend's games. Michigan junior J.J. Putz, making his first start since suffering a knee injury earlier in the spring, started the game on the mound for the Wolverines. Putz, after allowing a run in the first; settled down to pitch 3 1/3 innings before he was relieved by senior Brian Steinbach. Putz's opponent on the mound, Ohio State junior Kurt Fullenkamp, turned in an equally solid performance, holding the Wolverines hitless through four innings. Michigan finally got to Fullenkamp for a run in the top half of the fifth. After centerfielder Rob Bobeda tripled first baseman Bryan Besco flied out to deep center field, scoring Bobeda and knot- ling the score at one. With the score still tied in the seventh inning, Michigan mounted another rally. After Ohio State pitcher Mike Statford walked Besco. catcher Mick Kalahar reached base on a third-strike wild pitch. Pinch hitter David Parrish walked to load the bases, and the stage was set for freshman second baseman Scott Tousa. Tousa, who had been on fire at the plate coming into the weekend, had yet to hit safely against the Buckeyes. Stafford got two quick strikes against See BUCKEYES, Page 5B From Staff Reports Make that two great Michigan post players to take their game to the next level. Less than one week after Michigan center Robert Traylor declared himself eligible for the NBA Draft, Michigan center Pollyanna Johns followed suit. After leading her team to one of the best seasons in women's basketball history~ Johns signed a player contract with the Women's National Basketball Association last Thursday. Johns, Michigan's all-time leader in field-goal percentage and career rebounding average, will wait until the WNBA draft on April 29 to find out for which of the 10 franchises Michigan she will play. The'WNBA signed five other col- lege seniors to contracts on the same day as Johns, including the Western Athletic and Big Sky Conference players of the year. The league will hold a pre-draft camp for prospective players at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago from April 16-18. PURSUING A CAREER IN -- - - - - ----------- ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION? Michigan At~letk--- csm e J Drop by Zingerman's Bakeshop on South University and enter to win A FREE LUNCH FOR 2 AT ZINGERMAN'S DELICATESSEN. On April 20, '98, a winner will be drawn and awarded a gift certificate for lunch for you and a friend. Lunch includes: a yummy sandwich, side salad, beverage, dessert and coffee for 2. e- -M- FootbaN Recruitln office work Teamwork a Leaderschp Skdls Gain valuable experience by joining Team Blue, The Michigan Football Department's Volunteer Student Intern Program. I J * } T-SHIRT * PRINTING LOWEST PRICES! HIGHEST QUALITY! 0 FASTEST SERVICE! U 1002 PONTIAC TR. U 994-1367 JOBS NO FEES Office All Office Skills Needed Clerical Warehouse Telemarketing For more information call Mary Passink at the Football Recruiting Office, 313-764-2592. P-m- d; .JNO C..I I t