Notes & Quotes: #6 Michigan 11, Eastern Michigan 0
4/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
N O T E S
With tonight's victory, Michigan improved to 51-8 in the all-time series vs. Eastern Michigan. U-M boasts a 26-game winning streak against the Eagles.
Freshman Marley Powers' grand slam was the third for the Wolverines this season. Senior Samantha Findlay, who owns the U-M record for career grand slams (6), belted one out vs. Louisiana-Lafayette at the NCFA Leadoff Classic (Feb. 29-March 2) and another just two games later vs. Miami (Ohio) at the Louisville Tournament (March 14-16).
With her three-run home run in the third inning, Samantha Findlay surpassed 200 RBI for her collegiate career. Findlay owns the U-M career RBI record with 201 She also boasts the single-season RBI standard with 77, which she tallied during her rookie campaign (2005).
Senior Alessandra Giampaolo's 15-game hitting streak, over which she hasposted a .409 batting average (23-for-47), five doubles, two home runs and seven RBI, is the longest for a Wolverine player in three years. Two-time All-American Tiffany Haas (2003-06) hit successfully in 15 consecutive games in the heart of the 2005 NCAA Championship season.
Senior captains Alessandra Giampaolo and Samantha Findlay have not missed a start since arriving in Ann Arbor prior to the 2005 season. With 234 consecutive starts to their credit, the pair are just one shy of cracking the top 10 among Michigan's career leaders in the category.
Sophomore Roya St. Clair registered a perfect 2-for-2 effort from the plate to improve her season hit count to 25, matching her season total from her rookie year. St. Clair has already recorded a career highs in runs scored (4), doubles (6) and home runs (2). More than half of her offensive production has come in the Wolverines' last 20 games.
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Carol Hutchins
On tonight's game vs. Eastern Michigan... "It was a great night to play. It wasn't a packed house, but we had some great fans out there. I thought our kids had a good energy about them -- it's the middle of finals -- and that's all I wanted from them. I wanted their best energy. They're home on their beautiful new field, and I just wanted them to come out to play. I thought they did just that. Jordan [Taylor] pitched well. She lost her edge a little bit in that last inning, but we made a couple great outfield plays. So, I thought we played great softball. We stuck a few over the fence. I'd like to see us do more of that, and I certainly think we're capable."
On freshman Marley Powers... "We wanted to rest Nikki [Nemitz]'s shoulder, and we wanted to get Marley some at bats. She's been swinging pretty well. We need a hitter off the bench. The more at bats she gets the better. She looked better tonight as the game went on."
On the Wolverines' bases-loaded hitting... "We haven't hit very well with bases loaded this season. Obviously, they pitch around some of our kids at times, but I just want them to go out and attack the ball. We have tremendous power throughout the lineup, and yet, we can be tentative. We hit the ball pretty well tonight. But, in the first couple innings, I thought we were tentative. I think we take a lot of pitches. I think sometimes they worry too much about being perfect. They don't want to miss, and they don't really trust themselves. They put too much pressure on themselves. But tonight was a good game for us. I liked that we were the better team, and we looked like it."
U-M Freshman Designated Player Marley Powers
On earning the opportunity to start... "I have tried my best to stay consistent all season. When I've had the opportunity, I've just gone out and given it my best. I usually pinch hit, so I only get one chance in a game. I just keep working and try to improve every day."
On hitting the grand slam... "It was my first time playing at home, and it was my first at home. So that was pretty cool. I try to ignore what's going on out on the field. To be honest, I didn't even know the bases were loaded today when I went up to bat. So, I just try my best to block out what's going on around me and focus on the pitch. I think it was inside. I don't really know; I just swung hard."
