Hutchins Gets 600th Victory as Wolverines Win Twice

Saturday, March 6

Tampa, Fla.

10:00 AM

Michigan

12-5

Hofstra

2-9

Michigan

Hofstra

3/6/1999 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Amy Carlton

Site: Tampa, Fla.
Event: Speedline Invitational
Results: #14 Michigan 3, Hofstra 0; #14 Michigan 2, #17 Illinois-Chicago 1 (9 innings)
Records: U-M (13-5)
Next U-M Games: Sunday, March 7 -- vs. Mississippi (10 a.m.) at Speedline Invitational (Tampa, Fla.)

TAMPA, Fla. -- University of Michigan softball coach Carol Hutchins joined the 600-win club on Saturday (March 6) as the Wolverines picked up a pair of victories at the Speedline Invitational. Michigan, ranked 14th, posted its second consecutive shutout victory -- a 3-0 decision vs. Hofstra Saturday morning -- to complete Speedline Invitational pool play with a 5-0 record, then defeated 17th-ranked Illinois-Chicago 2-1 in nine innings Saturday night. The two wins pushed the Wolverines' record to 13-5 and kept U-M perfect (8-0) in March.

The win over Hostra was the 600th career coaching victory for Hutchins. Hutchins, who coached a year at Ferris State in addition to her 15 seasons at U-M, becomes the 26th person at any NCAA divisional level to reach the 600-win milestone. She carries a 601-268-1 head coaching record.

The performance of freshman pitcher Kate Eiland (Fresno, Calif./Clovis West HS) set the tone for the Wolverines against Hofstra. Eiland (7-2) faced 22 batters and allowed just two hits in her second shutout win of the season. Michigan batters scattered four hits, including a double by Catherine Davie (Westlake Village, Calif./Westlake HS) in the Wolverines' two-run third inning. By winning its pool, Michigan earned a bye through the first round of the championship playoffs.

Pitching was again key in the second game against Illinois-Chicago as Marie Barda (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale South HS) went the distance, giving up five hits in nine innings. After the Flames scored once in the top of the ninth, Michigan responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Designated player Mary Conner's (Lake Orion, Mich./Lake Orion HS) sacrifice fly scored Tammy Mika (Brighton, Mich./Brighton HS) with the game-winner.

U-M resumes tournament play Sunday morning, facing Mississippi State at 10 a.m. The Wolverines defeated the Bulldogs 9-3 in pool play Friday.

Maize 'n Blue Diamond Gems

• Catherine Davie extended her streak of extra-base hit games to six with her double vs. Hofstra. The streak ended against Illinois-Chicago, but Davie has had an extra base hit in nine of her last 12 games.

• Melissa Taylor (Deerfield, Mich./Summerfield HS) collected two of Michigan's six hits against Illinois-Chicago.