2006 SFB vs. Youngstown State -- Notes & Quotes
5/19/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Carol Hutchins
On the team's performance tonight ... "It's a good start obviously. I'm pleased to get the win. The first game of the tournament is tough no matter who you're playing. I thought Jennie Ritter was absolutely outstanding. I thought that Youngstown State did a very nice job. They were very composed and poised. They played good softball and I thought (Karlie) Burnell did a good job against us. I'm pleased to get the win. We're off to a good start."
On nerves factoring into Michigan's play ... "We definitely had a little bit of opening jitters. We seemed a little tight around the edges. (Jennie) Ritter worked through it. We followed her lead and the kids persevered through it. You're going to have that happen, and I'm pleased because the one thing we have going for us is that leadership and experience. Even if they have some first-round jitters, they know how to get through that and they did."
On the team's play coming into the tournament ... "The way we've played the last two weeks is as good as I could hope for. It doesn't matter what we've done in the past, it only matters what we can do now. The kids have had a great three weeks of practice. They've found their passion again. They've been enthused. I'm excited for them. I think the matchup tomorrow is going to be very exciting. We get up for the big games. I know I can count on my team."
On Jennie Ritter ... "I think Jennie Ritter is special. Period. She's a special kid and a special pitcher. I think she's one of the best in the country."
U-M Senior Pitcher Jennie Ritter
On her no-hitter against Youngstown State ... "I just go out there and try to do my job. I have my defense behind me and I just try to get things done the best that I can. You've got to have good defense to win games. I felt good. If you want to throw a no-hitter, you can't think about it. I was really just thinking about throwing good pitches. I felt really good today."
On the matchup against Oklahoma tomorrow ... "I don't know too much about any of the other teams, except who we're about to play. This is the first time we've seen them. I haven't looked at them. Regardless of whether they're the best team or not, our defense is capable of shutting them down. That's one thing I really want to focus on, just having good defense and good outs. I know the group behind me is very capable of that."
On the team's reaction to the Penguins ... "I thought they came out really ready to attack. They had pretty solid outs. I thought it was a good win."
On the thrill of the postseason ... "I think postseason is always exciting because it could always be your last game. You've just got to show up. It was a good week off; I felt ready to go tonight."
U-M Sophomore Outfielder Alessandra Giampaolo
On her first home run of the season ... "It's a good time to kick it into gear in the postseason. I haven't been swinging the bat as well as I did last year, but it's feeling a little better now."
On facing the Sooners tomorrow ... "I saw a little bit of their game, and all I've heard is good things about their pitcher. But I know our offense can do it. We've got the heart."
N O T E S
Senior Jennie Ritter became Michigan's career no-hit leader with her fifth clean-slate performance. Her last no-nos came in rapid succession, against No. 15 Florida (March 1, 2005) and South Florida (March 4, 2005).
With the shutout, Ritter moves into a tie for second among Michigan pitchers on the single-season list with 16. She tied her own mark of a year ago and sits two behind Vicki Morrow (1987) for the single-season record.
Ritter's postseason shutout streak extended to 34.0 innings with the complete-game win. Ritter's streak dates back to 2005 when she surrendered a run to UCLA in the Women's College World Series in the second inning and held them scoreless through 10. Ritter did not allow a run in the 2006 Big Ten Tournament and has pitched 7.0 scoreless innings in this NCAA Tournament as well.
Michigan shut out its NCAA Tournament opponent for the first time since the 2005 WCWS when it blanked No. 4 Texas 4-0 (June 3, 2005).
Ritter hurled Michigan's first no-hitter in NCAA Tournament play.
Alessandra Giampaolo hit her first home run of the season and 10th of her career. Her last long ball came during the 2005 Super Regional in Ann Arbor against Washington (May 28, 2005).
Sophomore Angie Danis and freshman Teddi Ewing made their first career appearances in NCAA Tournament play. Danis pinch hit for Rebekah Milian in the sixth inning, flying out to deep leftfield. Ewing went 0-for-2 with a walk as Michigan's starting shortstop.
