The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com Sports Friday, April 12, 2019 — 7 ‘M’ must handle emotion in rivalries Every Michigan fan, athlete and coach understands the significance of a matchup against Ohio State and Michigan State. The Wolverines’ rivalries with these two colleges are some of the most storied in collegiate athletics, and winning a road game in Columbus or East Lansing presents a formidable task. But this is a task the Michigan softball team has been handed to continue its 15-game win streak and a challenge it will have to conquer in its hunt to host a regional site in this year’s NCAA Tournament — something the program hasn’t done since 2016. And it’s not just a single matchup away from home. First, the Wolverines will head to Columbus for a weekend series before traveling to East Lansing for a Tuesday-night standoff against the Spartans. Though no more is needed to set the stage for the next four games, these rivalries go past the names of each school. When Michigan lines up on the diamond against the Buckeyes this Friday, coach Carol Hutchins will be shaking the hand of 1995 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, Michigan great and Ohio State coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly. “I’m always proud of my (former players) when I see them out on the field,” Hutchins said. “(Schoenly’s) done a really good job at Ohio State and I was watching their game last night seeing her in an Ohio State hat. I’m proud of her, proud of what they do. “I told (the players), trying to go to Ohio State, it’s a brawl. And I think Ohio State on their field is even tougher. But we really try not to make, people ask who our rival is and all that jazz. To me every game counts the same, whether you’re playing Rutgers or Ohio State or Michigan State or Minnesota. They all count the same.” Freshman outfielder Lexie Blair, who has yet to play in such an intense rivalry game, recounted how she and sophomore shortstop Natalia Rodriguez pretended to box one another during practice as if they were in a game against the Buckeyes. “I wanna see that on the field, I wanna see you attack them,” Rodriguez told her. As for Tuesday’s competition, it is no secret that Michigan State is Hutchins’ alma mater. “I get to see the plaque of the national championship when we won, and right on their outfield fence is ‘1976 AIAW Champions,’ ” Hutchins said as she pointed to an imaginary banner. “I give all the freshmen a history lesson. But I wanna win there just like I wanna win (against Ohio State) and nothing else changes.” The history with these two teams and the Wolverines goes beyond Hutchins’ ties. Michigan’s most recent results against the Buckeyes and Spartans were convincing losses — by nine and seven runs, respectively — late in the Big Ten season that ended up dictating the course of the Wolverines’ postseason. And even though this season’s rivalry games are earlier in the year, it doesn’t undermine the importance of proving that the team can win on the road after playing 11 of the last 15 at Alumni Field. “You don’t wanna get your emotions too involved, whether you’re on the field or in the dugout,” Hutchins said. “You want to play with great heart and great intensity, but the minute you start getting emotional, your emotions are going to get in the way.” But this is easier said than done. The only way to prove whether the players can understand this? If their win streak is at 19 come Wednesday morning. AKUL VIJAYVARGIYA Daily Sports Writer Gators beat Wolverines, 4-3, ending eight-match winning streak Comebacks in singles matches were not enough to stop Florida’s aggressive play in the Michigan women’s tennis team’s final non-conference match of the season. On Thursday afternoon, No. 14 Michigan (13-5 overall, 9-0 Big Ten) took on No. 23 Florida (11-9 overall, 7-5 SEC) at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex in Gainesville, Fla. The Wolverines, the top team in the Big Ten, were unable to claim the victory, losing, 4-3, and ending their eight-match win streak. Michigan seniors Kate Fahey and Brienne Minor competed in their ninth doubles match together and battled Florida’s Victoria Emma and McCartney Kessler. After being down 3-0, they brought the match back to 5-4. But the Gators proved to be too much, handing Fahey and Minor their first doubles loss together, 6-4. Michigan’s three points came from singles victories from Fahey, Minor and sophomore Alyvia Jones. Fahey won a close first set, 6-4, against Ida Jarlskog and continued her success in the second set, winning 6-0. This victory gave Fahey her third-straight season with 30 wins and added to her outstanding 0.815 career win percentage and 124-28 record, the best in school history. Minor won her first set easily by a score of 6-1 and a close second set, 6-4, defeating Emma in singles. Finally, Jones won both the first and second sets, 6-2, against Gator freshman Sydney Berlin. “Brie and Kate both came out and played the tennis that they’re capable of,” said Michigan associate head coach Teryn Fitch. “It definitely gives the team a lot of confidence going into the rest of the matches even though we didn’t get the result we wanted.” Florida’s Tsveta Dimitrova and Michigan freshman Anca Craciun added to the intensity of the singles matches. Craciun won the first set, 6-2, but dropped the second, 6-2, and ultimately lost the deciding set, 6-1. Michigan junior Giulia Pairone faced Kessler, winning the first set, 6-2, and losing the second, 7-5. After a back- and-forth deciding set with long rallies, Pairone lost the third set by a score of 6-4, which secured the victory for Florida. Michigan junior Chiara Lommer also played a close match against Florida’s Marlee Zein but failed to claim the victory, losing the first set, 7-5, and the second, 6-1. “We feel pretty good about doubles but there’s definitely room to improve,” Fitch said. “We put ourselves in a great position today, but, at times, it got pretty tough. Where we are as a team now is much better than where we were four weeks ago, and everybody really does believe in each other, so that’s going to pay off in the postseason.” ALEC COHEN/Daily Senior Kate Fahey reached 30 wins for the third-straight season. Jordan Brewer making impact Last season, Jordan Brewer was playing against the likes of Dyersburg State and Wabash Valley College. The junior outfielder transferred from Lincoln Trail College, a community college of 1,031 people based in rural Robinson, Ill. — to Michigan last year. The expectations on paper would usually be low for a player making the jump from JUCO to a major Division I program, but coach Erik Bakich had other ideas in the preseason. “A junior college player named Jordan Brewer can play outfield and infield and first base,” Bakich said in February. “Throws left handed, hits right handed, but one of our most explosive athletes. Just a very dynamic player. He’s made probably the most improvements of anyone probably from the fall until now so he’s going to be pushing for playing time as well.” Brewer has exceeded expectations thus far. He leads the Wolverines in batting average, RBIs, stolen bases and is tied for the lead in home runs. Defensively, Brewer has been utilized in both the infield and outfield and truly lives up to his versatility. At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, he possesses a rare combination of power and speed that makes him dangerous all over the field. And Brewer hasn’t been phased at all by the transition from toiling in JUCO to the bright lights of the Big Ten. “You know you dream of this as a little kid,” Brewer said. “This is just a replay of a little kid, you’re dreaming of this situation, of being in this situation. So, this is nothing new. JUCO only had twenty people and then you come out here to 1,100 people. It’s just cool to see everyone out here supporting and seeing my family out here. It’s just awesome to see everyone come out.” Brewer is leading off the field as well. He has focused on helping those in the special needs community. He suggested the teammates participate in Night To Shine, an event run by the Tim Tebow Foundation, which provides a prom experience for those with special needs around the world. On his own, Brewer brought the idea to the locker room and his teammates agreed to participate. His maturity off the field helps bring perspective to the locker room. His involvement in the Ann Arbor community is unusual, especially for someone who transferred in, and it’s something Bakich feels his team needs to have. “(Jordan Brewer is) so much more than baseball,” Bakich said. “This is a kid that brought the Night To Shine event to our team. He’s a guy that’s very invested in the community and giving back. “That was one of the coolest things that our program has ever done and that’s something he brought. He brings that selflessness and just that great spirit out here every day. He’s always got a smile on his face.” It’s hard to quantify just how much Brewer means to this team. His charisma and playmaking on the field have made the difference in several games this season — a grand slam against Manhattan, two diving catches against Minnesota and many more “web gem” plays. The way Brewer has embraced this team and been embraced makes it seem like he’s been here for all three years of his college career. “He’s a positive life-force,” Bakich said. “He’s an energy- giver. He brightens up a room, he brightens up a locker room, he brightens up a dugout, he’s just fun to be around. “So yeah, his transition’s been good.” THOMAS WEISS For the Daily Everybody really does believe in each other. AVI RAJENDRA-NICOLUCCI Daily Sports Writer ALEC COHEN/Daily Junior Jordan Brewer played at Lincoln Trail Community College before transferring to Michigan ahead of the season. KATELYN MULCAHY/Daily Michigan coach Carol Hutchins tells her players not to make a big deal of rivalry games, such as those against Ohio State.