Daily forum What was the difference in the Michigan-Boston College game? I Aie'you disappointed by your favorite team's coverage just plain bored? Stop yelling from the sidelines. Speak your mind at michzgandady.comn/forum. We'll see you there. michigandaily.com/sports SPORTS FRIDAY APRIL 6, 2001 10, i2 :,- Tumblers seek stage two of "Triple Crown', WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS ANN ARBOR REGIONALS By Chris Burke Daily Sports Writer Two weekends ago, the Michigan women's gymnastics team took the first step toward a national title by winning the Big Ten Champi- onship. Tomorrow night at Crisler Arena, they'll attempt to take step two. The No. 7 Wolverines will host the NCAA Northeast Regional Championships, a competi- tion where the top two team finishers will head to Georgia for the National Championships. Everyone else goes home for the year. With No. 6 Stanford and No. 18 Louisiana State joining Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island traveling to Michigan's turf for the meet, the Wolverines realize that they have a glorious opportunity to win in a difficult situa- tion. "Anytime we're going into a championship competition, we have to have the attitude that we're going to win," Michigan coach Bev Plocki said. "We know that we only have to be one of the top two teams to move on, but I absolutely think that everyone of my athletes is ultimately looking for the Triple Crown - Big Ten, Regional, and National Championships." In front of a partisan crowd at Crisler for the Big Ten Championships, Michigan routed the competition, defeating second-place Penn State by a fairly significant 0.8 margin, despite strug- gling on the balance beam. Being at home once again, the Wolverines are confident and ready.to defend their title won at last season's regional when they posted a team score of 196.550. "We've been in Crisler a hun- dred times and had a bunch of 0 good meets there the last few CRISL weeks," Christine Michaud said. Who:Michigan ho "We've gotten it done so many Regional Champi times there that we know we can When: 6:00 p.m. t get it done anywhere." Latest The top tw In the Big Ten meet, the teamfield-inclu Wolverines were forced to finish aodvancetotheN on the beam - their spot which LEI ons tof Not idin 18t ltic National Championship will not bring enough of a challenge to its events, Michigan's seniors - Michaud, Bridget Knaeble and Karina Senior - will be performing for the last time in front of the home fans. "I think that when emotions are involved it's always a good thing," Senior said. "Knowing that it's *the last time perform- ing for the home crowd, we R ARENA might have that extra bit of stheNCAA Northeast edge and energy." hips While three of the five norrow teams that compete this week- eamsfrom the six end will be hard pressed to ng Michigan, No.6 challenge Michigan, Stanford Louisiana State will nal Championship. was one of two teams to beat the Wolverines in the season opening Super Six competition. In addition to that, Louisiana State was ranked in the toplO nationally in pre-season rankings and finished ninth at last year's National Cham- pionships. The competition will be stiff, but the Wolver- ines feel that if they hit their routines like they have shown they can, then they'll be packing. their bags for a trip to Georgia - and a shot at the honor they all want. m "We're striving to get to the 'Triple Crown,' " Senior said. "So far we've got one. Hopefully this weekend we'll get the Regional title too." has proved most consistently difficult throughout the year. When the Regional rotations were released, Michigan could not help but feel a little unlucky. Once again, the Wolverines will conclude their night on the beam. "I think it's always harder to end on beam because you know what's at stake," Janessa Grieco said. "But it's good for us, because when we're in that situation again we need to go in there and prove to ourselves that we can do any rotation." If the emotions of competing for a spot in the BRENDAN u O' NILL/uaily Freshman Calli Ryals performs on the balance beam -the event that has proven to be the biggest problem spot for Michigan throughout the season. Blue's schedule lobbing softballs with few conference contests By David Roth Daily Sports Writer Like carnivores at a salad bar, the Michigan softball team has been malnourished with Big Ten games, having played a conference low of two thus far. But this weekend, it's time to dust off the bibs, as four Big Ten games are on Michigan's plate. The Wolverines square off today against Purdue in a doubleheader* starting at 2 p.m at Alumni Field. This will be Michigan's first extended homestand this season and the first time it hosts conference opponents. "We love playing at home," Michigan pitcher Marie Barda said. "Traveling is not our favorite. All ourjans will be there, so we know One-two punch The Michigan softball team feels it has an advantage in double head- ers. With both Marie Barda and Marissa Young, opponents are fprced to play back-to-back games ,against two pitchers who are capa- lale.of being No. 1 starters for the Woiverines. 6ARDA BRA W L BB So .k4 7 4 27 64 ''Y~NG F RA W L BB SO ,1:32 9 6 24 91 we'll have a lot of support." The Wolverines have been steam- rolling their opponents and have taken five-straight games to improve to 17-I1-1. But Michigan's past three games have been against Oakland and Bowling Green, who are far from Big Ten caliber. The Wolverines' mindset for Big Ten and non-confer- ence competition is totally different, and the challenge of Purdue and Indiana excites Barda. "I totally believe our team is ready for it," Barda said. "We're all psy- ched and ready to play Big Ten con- ference teams. We're ready to be serious about our game." Purdue is a team to get seriots about, with a 25-12-1 overall record and a 2-2 mark in the Big Ten. While Michigan has been devouring cupcake teams, the Boilermakers are coming off a pair of losses to No. 11 Notre Dame. Outfielder Andrea Roush, who is batting .327, and shortstop Katie Crabtree lead the team. But Roush and Crabtree will have to take on Barda and Marissa Young in the doubleheader. Oakland, which saw just five hits in a doubleheader against Michigan, knows that warm and fuzzy aren't adjectives to describe Michigan's top pitchers. "Marissa and I are both revved up for these games and ready to throw hard," Barda said. Doubleheaders play to Michigan's ALUMNI FELD Who: Michigan (2-0Big Ten, 17-11-1 overall) vs. Purdue (2-2, 25-10-1) (DH), Michigan vs. Indiana When: 2 p.m. today, 2 p.m. Saturday, lp.m. Sunday Latest: The Wolverines are riding a four-game winning streak into this weekend's important conference schedule. advantage because the team has what coach Carol Hutchins calls "two num- ber one pitchers." Hutchins said that while other teams use their best pitch- er in the first game, Michigan never has to settle for a second-rate pitcher. Indiana, a weaker team than the Boilermakers, will take on the Wolverines Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. after heading to East Lansing for a doubleheader against Michigan State today. Indi- ana is 11-22 with one win in four Big Ten games. Though the Hoosiers' bats are often slow, base runners make the most of their opportunities. The Hoosiers are one of the quickest teams in the Big Ten and have stolen 29 bases in 38 attempts. Catcher Brook Monroe leads the team with a .350 batting average and has tremen- dous power, slugging eight home- runs thus far. It's likely the Wolverines will see pitcher Allison Cooke at least once. In 21 appearances, she has allowed two runs or fewer on 12 occasions. DANNY MOLOSOKu'any Shortstop Bill LaRosa makes the tag at second base in last Friday's game against Penn State. Michigan prides itself on its infield defense. After 20 runs scored in two games this past week, the Wolverines are proud of their bats, too. More runs, More Confidence for'M By Job Singer Daily Sports Writer Heading into this weekend's four- game home series against Indiana (2- 3 Big Ten, 13-16-1 overall), the Michigan baseball team (1-3, 12-12) should feel good about itself. Although power-hitting outfielder Gino Lollio could be out for up to three weeks with a hand injury, the team's bats have come alive. "Our hitting is really coming around," Michigan coach Geoff Zahn said. "With the aluminum bats you can really score some runs." The team did just that on Tuesday when they beat Bowling Green by a score of 16-4. On Wednesday, they put just four runs across the plate, but that proved to be sufficient as starting pitcher Rich Hill anchored a two-hit shutout of Eastern Michigan. Against the Eagles, a new star emerged as centerfielder C.J. Ghan- nam went 3-for-4 with a homerun. "Ghannam is really hitting well," Zahn said. "He is very important to our lineup." Heading into the Indiana series, the Wolverines have confidence in winning either a slug-out or a pitch- er's duel. Depending on who Indiana throws, the Wolverines may juggle their starting lineup a little bit. This is a luxury due to the strong produc- tion of so many players. Five mem- bers of the lineup are hitting above .300. "We've said all along that we've got good pitching," Zahn said. "We'll adjust it to whomever they pitch." Indiana has proven that it can put runs on the board. On Wednesday, they defeated Indiana State 10-1. But it is doubtful that they'll be able to score that many runs against the Wolverines formidable pitching staff. Furthermore, the Wolverines' home park, Ray Fisher Stadium, has . - " - RAY FISHER STADIUM Who: Michigan (1-3 Big Ten, 12-12 overall) vs. Indiana (2-5,17-13-1) When: 3 p.m. today,1 p.m. tomorrow (DH}," p.m. Sunday. atest: Last year the Wolverines were able to split the season series (2-2) with Indiana. Senior pitcher Nick Alexander managed a 7-6 victory over the Hoosiers last season, and will have a chance to repeat that feat in the front end of Saturday's doubleheader. nol been the home to very many hig scoring contests this season. The Wolverines rotation h'hs included Bobby Korecky (RHP, 3-2 2.36 ERA), Nick Alexander (LHP, 1-3, 5.52 ERA). Jim Brauer (RHP, - 1, 4.64 ERA) Tim Leveque (RHP 1- 1, 0.42 ERA). The major omisson: from the pitching rotation continues- to be tri-captain Bryce Ralston. After two brief appearances, Ralston i still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. "He threw in a simulated game, this week," Zahn said. "Ralston is" not quite ready yet so we are wor k'' ing him. I think he is trying to come6 back from the minimal amounf of time. I'm still very optimistic." Even without Ralston, the Wolvet ines appear to have five solidified' starters. Vince Pistilli (1-2, 6 1 ERA), who led the team with I' starting nods last year, will be work- ing out of the bullpen this weekend. "Our pitching can keep us in ball= games no matter what," Zahn said. --b 7 And Now . Something Completely Different From SchoolKids Records In Exile Ani DiFrainc New CD $et "ReveIine & Reckoning,, $15099 I 10 PM-Midnight Monday April 9th at Espresso Royale Cafe 324 S. State Street Free Posters! Win Ani Stuff! 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