8E - New Student Edition - The Michigan Daly - Wednesday, September 6, 2000 There's always next year for solid softball SOFTBALL Contisued from Page 6E Barda's miniscule 0.79 ERA and 17 wins led the team as well. But when veteran leadership was not enough to get the team to the level that is expected of Michigan softball programs, the rookies helped bring them back. Freshmen, such as pitcher Marissa Young and outfielder Melinda Moulden, contributed throughout the season, with Young practically lifting the team to the Big Ten Tournament championship on her shoulders. Another third team All-American, Young pitched two consecutive com- plete game shutouts on the final day of the tournament to help the Wolverines beat their greatest neme- sis -- the Hawkeyes. "These kids really came together the last few weeks," Young said. "They played their hearts out." As for the rest of the players, the season provided opportunities to gel their respective games, with notice- able improvement throughout the team. Rebecca Tune, renowned as one of the team's most impressive defensive players, making the hardest plays at shortstop seem routine, found a way to develop an offensive presence. While she finished the season with a meager .212 batting average, in the final few games, she performed well above expectations, being moved up to the fifth spot in the lineup in the waning days of the postseason.. She sees more improvement on the horizon for next season. "Before this season, I knew that I was going to improve," she said. "As long as I can keep that frame of mind next year, I think that I can improve more and have a great season." Also, Melissa Taylor continued her brilliance at the plate and in the field, finding ways to consistently bunt her way on base, or when the fielders caught wind of her plan, slap the ball over their heads for a single. But in the end, it was not enough. The team could not conquer the toughest of all challenges -- the postseason. Still, there is next year, and though there will be new faces and some that will no longer don the prestigious maize and blue, preparations are already beginning. "It's really tough to leave this group of girls," Gentile said. "They have huge amounts of talent on this team. No matter where I am next year and in the years to come, I'm going to be rooting for them" The thrill of victory DePaul's 3-0 victory over Michigan in the NCAA Regional Championship game culminated an amazing three days for the Blue Demons, who were the final at- large team selected for the NCAA Tournament. Here is DePaul's road to the championship: Friday, May 19 No. 5 DePaul 8, No. 2 Michigan 0 (6 inn.) DePaul 1, No. 3 Notre Dame 0 Saturday, May 20 DePaul 5, No. 6 Central Michigan 0 Sunday, May 21 DePaul 3, Michigan 0 MARJORIE MARSHALL/Daily Sophomore Stefanie Volpe finished the season as the Wolverines' best hitter. Volpe and freshman pitcher Marissa Young earned All-American honors for their efforts. SUNDAY SPECIAL Stickers slam into NCAA finals Wolverine Score- You Sve!. 5% Off for every touchdown By David Roth Daily Sports Writer Contrary to popular belief, the hottest hockey being played at Michigan hasn't been on ice. The Michigan field hockey team is hinting that a Wolverines' dynasty might be in the making. The Wolverines didn't just go to their first NCAA tour- nament last season - they rocked it, fighting their way to the NCAA champi- onship game before Maryland edged them 2-1 on a goal scored with less than one second left in the first half. Excitement defines Michigan field hockey. This excitement culminated in the last ten games of Michigan's season. In these ten games: Nine were against top 15 oppo- nents. Eight were decided by one goal. Two were decided by two goals Games in both the Big Ten Tour- nament and NCAA Tournament went into double overtime. Somehow the Wolverines managed to muster a seven game winning streak before their loss in the title game. It took some players longer than oth- ers to realize their accomplishments. "We're going to the Final Four," said Jocelyn LaFace, a day before she board- ed a plane to Boston. "It's finally hitting me. Holy crap. The Michigan field hockey program is now ready to take the next step and become the first women's team to earn the national championship. Last year's four outgoing seniors came in their freshmen year notching an ugly 7-1 I record, but left the Wolverines with a 20-7 record. With nine freshmen entering the upcoming season, coach Marcia Pankratz expects the freshman to leave Up to C S N. U 2 0/0 I on all University of Michigan items on all U of M Insignia Clothing & Gifts Home 4 orner of Hours: tate and sat 9-7 niversity sun 11 BOOK & SUPPLY the program better than they found it and that means nothing less than a title. "We have nine freshman coming in and all of them are first-class players, Pankratz said. "I think the expectations are greater. They certainly are. Pankratz called her recruiting class one of the best, if not the best. in the nation. All this comes in addition to last season's fresh- men, who were enormous contributors. Jessica Rose scored Michigan's lone goal in the championship game, and Molly Powers' crunch-time goal in the semi-final lifted Michigan 4-3 over pre- viously undefeated Connecticut. "The freshmen that are now sopho- mores only know going to the final four," Pankratz said. "It's a great foun- dation to continue to build on for the program in future years. If you have any time to make your way to Ocker Field, November 3-5 is itI* when the Wolverines will be hosting the Big Ten Tournament. "It's very exciting to host this year," Pankratz said. "All the teams are very tightly matched so it's going to be very exciting hockey to watch." WANT TO WRITE FOR DAILY SPORTS? WANT TO TAKE PICTURES FOR DAILY SPORTS? E-MAIL SPORTSDESK@UMICH.EDU FOR MORE INFO. Game -6 75 -5 BE THERE ALL FOOTBALL 6,SEASON!! FOLLOW THE MAIZE AND BLUE ON THE ROAD AND IN THE BIG HOUSE. OUR ROAD PACKAGES INCLUDE FIRST CLASS T RANSPORTATION, 2 NIGHTS 1" CLASS LODGING, AND TICKETS TO THE GAME. www.michbook.com Sunday after game only. SEPTEMBER 23, 2000 OCTOBER 7,2000 NOVEMBER 4,2010 NOVEMBER 1,20 ILLINOIS PURDUE SNORTWESTERN @OHIO STATE LL vim, . y. fEn.: yP. tam-, .. put OK, IT'S TIME TO PACKAGES STARTING AT $275 CALL WOLVERINE TOURS- (248) 342-4114 OR (248) 240-2072 WOLVERINE TOURS@HOTMAIL.COM w Point to mlive for interactive sports coverage. We've got everything a rabid sports fan needs. Forums-one for almost every team in Michigan. Sports Live, an interactive online Chat Radio Show. Web cams. Photo galleries. Stats. Stories. Mlive puts you so close to the action, you might break a sweat. MICHIGAN THE MOST USEFUL WEB SITE IN MICHIGAN Sl I I r' m I, m m I .