10 10 - Tuesday, March 18, 2008 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Forget Digger's picks - try these Senior's voice as big as her bat Findlay boosts team with encouragement on the basepaths By RUTH LINCOLN Daily Sports Writer LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Senior Samantha Findlay didn't need to record a hit in the Michigan soft- ball team's5-2 win over Louisville to make her presence felt. Her vocal leadership was what No. 9 Michi- NOTEBOOK gan needed to N ignite a stag- nant offense Sunday at Ulmer Stadium. In the top of the fifth, with the bases loaded and Michigan down by one run, Findlay was on first after being walked. When sophomore Maggie Viefhaus was down 0-2 in the count, Findlay got loud. The second baseman yelled words of encouragement to Vief- haus loud enough to be heard in the stands. The spark worked. Viefhaus hit a double to drive in two runs and give the Wolverines a lead they never relinquished. "People are going to minimize Sam Findlay," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said. "But her energy, her consistent leadership - she didn't cave in and swing at some of the pitches they threw. Sam has just been an out- standing lead- er for us." As senior captains, Findlay and Alessandra Giampaolo led S. FINDLAY theyoungWol- verines to two come-from-behind wins over the weekend. There was a noticeable change in Michigan's demeanor as it rallied and shut down Louis- ville late in both victories. "They really stepped up this weekend, and I don't mean just because they hit the ball," Hutchins said. "They both are leading this team right now the way I want it led - by example." FANTASTIC FRESHMAN: Pitcher Jordan Taylor showed maturity beyond her limited experience on the mound in the tournament. The freshman's stel- lar weekend included her first career no-hitter in Saturday's 12- 0 stomping of Miami (Ohio). "I wasn't expecting to do that at all this year," Taylor said. "It's really cool to have that notch on my belt." In Sunday's win, Taylor got hot early. She had seven strikeouts by the third inning and ended the game with 12. "It's really awesome to see a freshman step up and not even act like a freshman," Giampaolo said. "She's acting like she's been there for years." TOURNAMENT TITANS: Rid- ing a 14-game win streak, the Wolverines have rolled through five weekend tournaments with a 21-2 record. This weekend was Michigan's first competition after a two-week hiatus. With one more tourna- ment before Big Ten play begins in two weeks, the Wolverines needed a solid showing in Lou- isville against three unranked teams. "This just shows that we can come back after a break and pick up right where we left off," Vief- haus said."We just have to keep it going, to build from here." From TOURNEY, Page 9 That being said, I'm going to give you some advice on pick- ing this year's first-round action. There are instances where teams are ripe for an early exit. My attention first turns towards two No. 10 seeds that have a great chance of moving on to the second round because they have quasi- home games in the opening week- end. South Alabama plays No. 7 seed Butler in Birmingham, Ala., just three hours away from the Jaguars' campus. Davidson is another No. 10 seed with a chance to make some noise. The Wildcats enter this year's tournament with the longest cur- rent winning streak in the nation at 22 games. They will face mid-major power Gonzaga in Raleigh, N.C. The Zags have to travel across the country and essentially compete in a road game to advance. Both South Alabama and David- son could win their opening round games, but I'd play it safe and pick one or the other. I'm going with Davidson because it nearly knocked out Maryland in last year's tourney. There are plenty more mouth- watering upsets that Digger would never dream of picking. I like No. 14 seed Georgia to take out a suspect Xavier squad. And don't forget about No. 11 seed Saint Joseph's. If it gets good play from star Pat Calathes, it could give grossly-overrated Oklahoma a run for its money. My gut tells me to go with another No. 11 seed, Baylor, mak- ing a run to the Sweet 16. They play Purdue, and a win would give credence to my theory of pick- ing against anyone who beat the Michigan men's basketball team by less than 15 points. Am I going to pick all five of these upsets? Maybe, but I won't have more than five upset picks in the first round. It's easy to forget - going out on a limb is what the idiots on television get paid a lot of money to do. MARK'S SWEET 16: North Carolina, Washington State, Tennessee, Louisville, Kansas, Van- derbilt, Kansas State, Georgetown, Memphis, Michigan State, Stanford, Texas, UCLA, Connecticut, Baylor, Duke Freshmen and Sophomores, are you looking for a summer internship? Would you like to take a step towards bolstering your resume? Do you wan to work with the coolest people on campus? Semester in Washington Prograrn in Law Get Washington internship experience and Georgetown academic credit this summer. June 2-August 9, 2008 > launch your legal career this summer in Washington, D.C. -sity's Semester insWashington Program in Law and see the rom the front row as an intern on Capitol Hill, in other areas corporation, a lobbying firm, or non-profit organization in area. In the process, you'll gain academic credits while you d explore ethics, leadership, and social justice as they relate aomMni. o 1c5i-:vers in Washinton this summer and ^1 The Michigan Daily Business Staff Department is a student run group that sells all the ads in the Daily. We are looking for dedicated and motivated people to continue the legacy that has been going on for over 118 years. Simply send e-mail to dailydisplay@gmai.com, call (734) 764-0554, or stop in at the Daily building (420 Maynard) to pick up an application! DON'T MIS S lOT ON TRADITION! 9 U I pp q IPA, 3ted "Exemplary" In a university with by the State of the priority of Michiaan. "Education First" "Health 101: From Backpack to Briefcase" :)Thursday, March 20, 2008 The transition from student to working professional often triggers a "quarter-life crisis." We'll assess personal interests based on the Strong Interest Inventory and use it to explore what to do when your career doesn't fulfill your personal interests. "Career 101: Your Fork Is Not a Shovel" ) Tuesday, March 25, 2008 Welcome to the only business etiquette seminar you'll ever need-a fun, hands-on and interactive program where you'll learn the do's and don'ts of any business social situation. ALl sessions are free, include food and pop, and run from 6-8 p.m. at the Alumni Center. Register today at www.umatumni.com/students. affed by Doctorally- Preparing teachers qualified fulltime for high needs areas faculty. (Math, Special Education, etc). 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