2005 SFB Big Ten Tournament -- Game 2 Notes & Quotes
5/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | General
2005 Big Ten Softball Tournament
#1 Michigan 6, Michigan State 2
Game 2 -- Thursday, May 12 -- 7:30 p.m.
Alumni Field, Ann Arbor, Mich.
NOTES AND QUOTES
Michigan Notes
Michigan has homered in 49 of its 57 games this season and has 20 long balls in the last 12 games. ... Michigan improved to 47-0 when it scores first. ... Jessica Merchant moved into the top spot on U-M's single-season home run list with her 18th homer of the year. She is one home run ahead of teammate Samantha Findlay, who has 17 home runs in 2005. ... Jessica Merchant's fifth-inning double moved her into fourth on U-M's all-time doubles list with 44. She is 14 doubles shy of third-place Sara Griffin, who finished her career with 58 two-baggers. ... Jennie Ritter moved into a tie for fourth on Michigan's single-season wins list with her victory over the Spartans. Ritter ties Marissa Young, who won 27 games in 2002. ... With 11 strikeouts against the Spartans, Jennie Ritter recorded her 10th double-digit strikeout game. ... Tiffany Haas started her 136th straight game at second base.
Michigan Head Coach Carol Hutchins
On the game ... "We had a good start. Obviously you want to be in the winners' bracket. I'm pleased with the win. Jessica Merchant had a terrific game, but Jennie Ritter might have been a little too up for the game. She had a lot of adrenaline. Jennie struggled to get ahead of the hitters, but we're a good, solid softball team and we played good, solid softball. We're pleased and we're ready to move on to the next game."
On Michigan's 4-0 lead in the second after Merchant's home run ... "In my mind you play all 21 outs in the game. I never relax, as you can see in the dugout."
Michigan Senior SS Jessica Merchant
On losing to Michigan State in the first round of the 2004 Big Ten Tournament ... "It's not about last year. I wasn't thinking about it at all this week. I was just thinking about this game and this tournament and preparing to play."
On her home run ... "It's not about me at the plate, it's about us getting the win. Jennie pitched a good game and we played well."
On Michigan scoring all its runs with two outs ... "In our lineup it's key to get on base. We don't talk about getting home runs, we talk about getting on base. Giampaolo had a great at-bat. If there's one thing our team has done well this year it's scoring with two outs. Again, you have to play all three outs."
Michigan Junior Pitcher Jennie Ritter
On looking ahead to the NCAA Tournament ... "We take it one game at a time but it's definitely good preparation for regionals."
Michigan State Head Coach Jacquie Joseph
On the game ... "After losing our starting pitcher (Rachel Turney) in the second inning, I was very proud of how we bounced back and how we battled. We improved on our first meeting with Michigan this year and we gave it our all. We definitely did not go quietly into the night."
