The Michigan Daily - Monday, May 12, 2003 - 15 'M' Nine assisted by senior hurler - By Jake Rosenwasser Daily Sports Writer It was fitting that on Senior Day the only senior on the Wolverine pitching staff recorded the final outs at Ray Fisher Stadi- um. With the bases loaded and only one out, Tim Leveque got Northwestern's Josh Lieberman to groundout into a game-end- ing doubleplay to clinch a 3-1 win for Michigan (15-11 Big Ten, 28-21 overall) over Northwestern. "Those are the types of situations I've been brought into recently," Leveque said. "I just wanted to try to get a doubleplay. I missed my first slider up, and then I was able to throw two fastballs for strikes, and then I got him to groundout with a slider down." With the doubleplay, Leveque recorded his team-leading fourth save. "Over the last two weeks Timmy has done a marvelous job," coach Rich Mal- oney said. "It's especially pleasing because he's worked so hard. He doesn't throw that fast but he's making it work by locating his pitches' Phil Tognetti started the game and kept the Wildcats (14-12, 24-20) scoreless for the first eight innings. He scattered seven hits in those first eight innings but got through unscathed with the help of Mother Nature and the defense behind him. "I'm not going to lie - the weather helped," Tognetti said. "When they got the ball in the air, it didn't travel well because of the strong wind blowing in." The doubleplay combination of short- stop Nick Rudden and second baseman A.J. Scheidt aided Tognetti all game long. The duo was involved in four doubleplays on the day. "Those up-the-middle-guys were huge today," Tognetti said. "They made everything easier." Michigan's runs came on timely hitting. In the third inning, Brock Koman singled in Gino Lollio after a sacrifice bunt by Nick Rudden. "The wind definitely changed the way the game had to be played today," Maloney said. "I thought it would be low scoring, so any time we got a runner on we wanted to get him over toscoring position." to the fourth inning the Wolverines pushed}ta across two more runs on a Mike Sokol walk and singles from Jordan Cantalamessa and Brandon Roberts. The three runs held up the rest of the way. With the win yesterday, Michigan took the series from Northwestern three games to one. Michigan also stormed past Northwestern in the Big Ten standings, taking sole position of third place. "We're getting real close to the playoffs, which is one of our goals," Maloney said. "We're also moving towards our goals of 30 wins and a better-than-.500 season." The teams that finish in the top-six spots in the Big Ten qualify for the Big Ten Tournament. Leveque's outing is not something he will soon forget. "It's special because it's my last home game here, and I feel it's fitting a senior pitcher gets to close the game out on the EUSE BERGMAN/Daily mound," Leveque said. "I feel blessed and Junior catcher Jake Fox celebrates one of his two trips home happy - it couldn't come at a hetter time" in Fridays 9-3 win over Northwestern. Softball's tournament ends with another loss to State By Megan Kolodgy Daily Sports Writer It was a dark day in Iowa City for Michigan's softball team on Friday, as it fell for the third time this season to rival Michigan State in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament. The loss dashed any hopes the Wolverines had at advancing to yesterday's championship game. Apart from its final loss to the Spartans, Michigan (13-5 Big Ten, 40- 14 overall) lost its first game of the tournament to Northwestern 8-6 in extra innings, but defeated Minnesota in game two, 3-2. This was the first time the Wolverines have appeared in the tournament and not advanced to the final round of competition. Though Michigan out-hit the Spar- tans nine to four, the Wolverines had trouble capitalizing on their opportuni- ties. In contrast, Michigan State was able to make the most of its few hits. The Spartans scored their only two runs in the first inning, when Michigan State's Natalie Furrow hit a double, bringing Sandy Lewis home. Furrow then advanced to third when leftfielder Melinda Moulden bobbled the ball, and scored when Janette Hurtado hit a sin- SCOREKER 0 751CALL TAE 0 DINKO0MO TANQUERA Ap FRIDAYp - 75 cent f., BOTTLES SATURDAY 310IMAYNAII1995.0102 & R EWTh PROPER 10 gle to left field. Although Michigan spotted the Spar- tans two runs, the Wolverines attempted to fight back. Michigan outfielder Meghan Doe went 4-4, while others including freshman Tiffany Haas, soph- omore Nicole Motycka and junior Mon- ica Schock got hits at critical points. In the third inning, Motycka came in to replace starting pitcher Marissa Young, and kept the Spartans from scor- ing for the remaining innings. Her efforts were in vain, however, and the Wolverines spent the day playing an unsuccessful game of catch-up. Michigan coach Carol Hutchins, though not thrilled with the weekend's results, expressed admiration for her intrepid Wolverines. "They were all great games," she said. "We didn't focus on the negative, or play badly; we just didn't come out on the winning end." Instead of focusing on all of the nega- tive factors from this weekend, Hutchins chose to help her team move past a dis- appointing weekend and focus on the upcoming NCAA Regional Tournament at Alumni Field. "We're a pretty tired team right now," Hutchins said. "It's been an intense cou- ple of weeks. We're going to go back to fundamentals, and try to get to a good place mentally. The girls need to give up their fears, and it's my job to help them +o(n ht On a higher note, several Wolverines Hutchins said. "She contributed in were honored as All-Big Ten perform- every aspect of play, and it's a tremen- ers. Young and Schock received first- dous honor for her." team honors. Sophomore shortstop Hutchins is looking forward to the Jessica Merchant was named to the Regional Championships, which begin second team, while Doe and Motycka later this week. Michigan will face earned third-team honors. Young was Western Michigan in the first round on also awarded Big Ten Player of the Thursday afternoon at Alumni Field. Year, chosen by a vote including every "We're very excited about Ann Big Ten coach. Arbor hosting one of the regional "Marissa certainly got my vote," sites," she said. Making World-Class Physicians & Veterinarians Today, For Tomorrow's World Programs to meet the needs of high school and college graduates. . More than a half century old well-recognized and established European medical and veterinary universities. Programs recognized by the National Committee on Medical Education, Accreditation, and the U.S. Department of Education. 100% financial aid is available. 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