4B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - April 3, 2006 FULL COUNT *I SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK Samantha Findlay Michigan The World Series MVP fought through frus- trating strikeouts in game one to pound two home runs and eight RBI in game two. That one home run was a grand slam was just icing on the cake. NOTABLE QUOTABLE "It's never easy playing in the Big Ten" - Michigan junior pitcher Lorilyn Wilson on the challenges of the Big Ten season, after readily defeating Minnesota in both ends of the doubleheader. BY THE NUMBERS I Consecutive shutout innings played by Michigan. 'M' STAT LEADERS Sunday's Game 1: MINNESOTA 0 LP: Dalen (4-6) MICHIGAN 8 WP: Ritter (10-4) Sunday's Game 2: MINNESOTA 0 LP: Hassett (5-10) MICHIGAN 8 WP: Wilson (8-4) *I Short Order Sunday Shutout pitching powers Blue win streak By Nate Sandals Daily Sports Writer Michigan's offense was impressive yesterday, but the real drive behind the Wolverines doubleheader sweep of Min- nesota and their current seven-game win streak has been pitching. Senior Jennie Rit- ter and junior Lorilyn Wilson combined for 11 shutout innings against Minnesota yesterday, 00 0 Home runs Becky Marx 9 Runs Alessandra Giampaolo 27 Hits Tiffany Haas 32 RBI Average Samantha Findlay 34 1 r Marx .337 BIG TEN STANDINGS Team Big Ten Overall 1. Northwestern 4-0 22-8 2. Michigan 2-0 21-9 3. Michigan State 2-0 22-10 4. Indiana 3-1 18-12 5. Iowa 2-2 20-14 6. Purdue 2-2 21-18 7. Ohio State 2-2 18-14 8. Penn State 1-3 21-7 9. Wisconsin 1-3 12-13 10. Illinois 1-3 14-18 11. Minnesota 0-4 11-18 AROUND THE BIG TEN Friday's results: INDIANA 4, Ohio State 1 Penn State 8, PURDUE 0 NORTHWESTERN 16, Wisconsin 0 MICHIGAN STATE 3, Minnesota 1 Iowa 9, ILLINOIS 0 Saturday's results: PURDUE 3, Penn State 1 Ohio State 6, INDIANA 3 NORTHWESTERN 10, Wisconsin 3 Iowa 7, ILLINOIS 4 MICHIGAN STATE 3, Minnesota 1 giving Michigan six shutouts in its last seven games. Wilson has been especially lights out of late. Following five innings of one-hit ball yesterday, Wilson is riding a streak of 29 and one-third consecutive shutout innings. "I'm just trying to hit my spots when I pitch," the Salem, Ore., native said. "All I can do is just pitch it where I'm sup- posed to." Going into the fifth and final inning of Sunday's second game, Wilson was looking to preserve a no-hitter. But Min- nesota second baseman Valerie Alston spoiled the chance when she ripped a line drive into left-centerfield to lead off the inning. It would have been Wilson's sec- ond no-hitter in four games. Ritter and Wilson have been dominant, but some credit goes to the defense play- ing behind them. Michigan (2-0 Big Ten, 21-9 overall) has committed just one error in its last six games, all victories. The error came in the second game of yesterday's dou- bleheader, on a hard-hit ball to freshman shortstop Teddi Ewing that could have been ruled a hit. The strong performances in the circle are a positive sign for Michigan as it con- tinues through the Big Ten season. "We need (Ritter and Wilson) to do what we want to do," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said. "Their job is to keep us in the game and wait for the offense to get it done." BLUE ON THE BLUES: Tiffany Worthy was shocked, Carol Hutchins was frustrated and the crowd was plain mad. All of these emotions were in response to a question- able call in the bottom of the fourth inning of the first game yesterday. Worthy came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. A hit would have given Michigan the eight-run lead needed to end the game after five innings. MIKE HUL§EBUS/,aily Junior pitcher Lorilyn Wilson (84) has pitched 29.1 consecutive shutout innings and has won in each of her last five starts. Sunday's results: MICHIGAN 8, Minnesota 0 WISCONSIN 12, Illinois 7 INDIANA 4, Penn State 0 Ohio State 3, PURDUE 0 PURDUE 4, Ohio State 1 MICHIGAN 8, Minnesota 0 INDIANA 4, Penn State 0 NORTHWESTERN 12, Iowa 2 Wisconsin 4, ILLINOIS 0 *Home teams in caps 4 "HUTCH"-O-METER The Michigan Daily softball writers break down this weekend's games by category. The smiling face of coach Carol Hutchins measures perfor- mance, with four faces being the best. With the count at 2-2, home plate umpire Otis Walker rung up Worthy on a pitch that appeared to be well outside. The call sparked a surprised look on Worthy's face, a comment from Hutchins and a chorus of boos from the faithful at Alum- ni Field. But that wasn't the only questionable call yesterday. In both games, Minnesota and Michigan struggled to adjust to an inconsistent strike zone. Although she struck out 12 batters, Rit- ter saw a number of close calls go against GOPHERS Continued from page 1B Giampaolo followed with a seein opposite-field single to put runnersc corners with no outs for the heart order. Two hitbatters and a wild pitch Michigan had a 2-0 lead with both and Giampaolo crossing the plate to "It's great to score early," Hut said. "I love a team that scores in th inning, because it puts the opponet their heels." After striking the first blow, the s sophomore combo didn't let up. followed up senior Stephanie Bet BUS/Daily two-out double with a walk to put ru game. on first and second in the fourth it SUNDAY, GAME 2 Michigan 8, Minnesota 0 her. At the same time, some Wolverines struck out looking on pitches that, to many on the field and in the stands, were clearly outside the strike zone. In the second game, it was a shrinking strike zone that got on Wilson's nerves. "Today was hard because I was work- ing from behind (in the count) a lot," Wilson said. "The ump wasn't helping me any." BIG TIME BIG TEN: Michigan opened its Big Ten season with yesterday's double- header against Minnesota (0-4, 11-18). Following a Gopher pitching chang Giampaolo hit a frozen rope down tI rightfield line, scoring Bercaw. Both Ha ng-eye and Giampaolo came around to scorec on the a Becky Marx single two batters later, of the push the Michigan lead to six. later, In the second game, Giampaolo ga Haas Michigan the chance to strike first, drag score. ing a walk to get on base for Findlay, wl tchins sliced a double to right-centerfield to p e first the Wolverines up 1-0. nts on Haas singled, and Giampaolo walk to lead off the third inning, forcing Mi enior- nesota to pitch to Findlay. The sophomo Haas made them pay by driving a pitch over t rcaw's centerfield fence to put Michigan up fou unners The duo followed the same script in t nning. fourth to set up Findlay's grand slam. Last season, the Wolverines went 18-2 in the Big Ten, winning the regular-season title and the conference tournament. After spending the last two months traveling around the country to take on the competition in warm weather, the Wolverines are pleased to be at home, taking on conference opponents. "(The Big Ten season) is what we've been working up to all preseason," Wil- son said. "I like it because it's so com- petitive. Every game counts just as much as the next." ;e, The production of Findlay, Haas and he Giampaolo provided more than enough as cushion for pitchers Jennie Ritter and on Lorilyn Wilson. Ritter overpowered to Minnesota in the first game, striking out 12 Gophers in six innings to improve to ve 10-4 on the season. w- Wilson (8-4) continued Michigan's ho dominance from the mound, allowing ut just one hit and striking out nine batters in five innings to extend her scoreless ed streak to 29 and one-third innings. The n- Wolverines have shut out six of their last re seven opponents. he "I'm pleased (with the pitching)," r. Hutchins said. "Lorilyn, I couldn't be hap- he pier. She's throwing better, and Ritter came out and was fabulous (yesterday)." DEFENSE The pitching staff didn't give the 'D' much of a chance to strut its stuff, but it delivered when called upon. You can't argue with two shutouts, but an error in game two merits one head short of perfect. David VandeVusse . PITCHING Ritter and Wilson, Wilson and Ritter. No matter what order you play them, they're lights out. Yesterday was no excep- tion, as the two hurlers com- bined for 11 shutout innings. ndals When you're that good, four Hutch heads come easily. MIKE HULSE Samantha Findlay had eight RBI in the second I SUNDAY, GAME 1 Michigan 8, Minnesota 0 Nate Sar Michigan (19-9, 1-0) Minnes Player AB R H BI Player Haas 2B 3 3 2 0 Conwa Giampaolo CF 4 2 2 2 Ericks Findlay 1B 3 0 0 0 Higgint Marx C 2 1 2 4 Parks: sota (11-17, 0-3) AB R H BI y SS 3 0 0 0 on LF 3 0 2 0 botham C3 0 0 0 3B 2 000 Michigan (20-9, 2-0) Minnesota (11-18, 0-4) Player AB R H BI Player AB R H BI Haas 2B 3 2 2 0 Conway SS 2 0 0 0 OFFENSE The Michigan bats put Minnesota's pitching staff to shame, burning through all four pitchers. With three home runs, including a grand slam, Michigan made consecutive mercies look easy. In other words, four Hutch heads. Weatherdon PRO 0 0 0 Alston 2B Leutele 3B 2 0 1 1 Konderik DP Worthy DP 3 0 0 0 Arns1B Bercaw RF 3 0 0 0 Watt CF Milian LF 1 1 0 0 Sward RF Danis PH 1 0 0 0 Dalen P 2 0 0 0 2 2 2 1 00 00 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Giampaolo CF 0 Findlay 1B 3 Marx C 3 Leutele 38 2 Worthy DP 3 Bercaw RF 2 Weatherdon PH1 Milian LF 2 Talbot LF 1 3( 2: 0 0 0 0 Erickson L 3 8 Higginboth 0 0 Parks 3B 0 0 Alston 2B LF 2 ham C2 2 2 0 1 0 Wolvington PR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Konderik DP 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Arms 1B Stemper C Powers PR Meyer PH 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Amber Colvin Ewing SS Ritter P Totals Minnesota Michigan 3 1 2 0 Valez P 0 0 00 Ewing SS Wilson P 0 0 00 Sward RF 0 0 0 0 1 25 8 9 7 i 20 0 3 0 R H E 000 000 x - 0 3 0 210 302 x- 8 9 0 Total 21 8 6 8 Total 16 0 1 0 R H E Hassett P 0 0 0 0 Michigan Minnesota 103 400 x - 8 6 1 000 000 x - 0 1 0 1-- Idmmkb- r R OXA/ n E - none DP - none LOB - Michigan 6; Minnesota 3. - -- .A ill . . r' .'Q :h ,3. ls. 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