Wolverines Enjoy Practice Day at WCWS, Prep for LSU
5/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Several members of the sixth-ranked University of Michigan softball team have waited nearly two years to return to ASA Hall of Fame Stadium after a 1-0 loss to Nebraska eliminated the Maize and Blue from the 2002 Women's College World Series.
The Wolverines were the first team to grace the stadium field this week with a practice at 9 a.m. CDT and looked right at home making their sixth appearance at the country's most well-known softball complex. Michigan's other WCWS appearance ocurred in Columbus, Ga., in 1996.
Following the hour-long workout in the stadium where they will face No. 3 seed LSU on Thursday (May 27, 11 a.m. CDT), the Wolverines had most of the day to themselves before they get back together this evening for the WCWS Opening Ceremony at the stadium. The ceremony will include a fireworks display and recognition of the eight participating teams with one team member addressing the audience. Senior rightfielder Courtney Betley (Corona, Calif./Santa Ana Mater Dei HS) will represent the Wolverines.
The ceremony will conclude with the announcement of the 2004 Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-America teams and National Player of the Year.
N O T A B L E S
Michigan head coach Carol Hutchins and Big Ten Pitcher of the Year Nicole Motycka (Sarasota, Fla./Cardinal Mooney HS) took part in an afternoon pre-tournament press conference. One tidbit from the press conference included:
Hutchins on Michigan's returning to the WCWS ... "We are excited to be back and looking forward to the opportunity. We are not just happy to be here but genuinely excited about the opportunity in front of us this weekend."
Hutchins also noted she is "certain fans will see both of her pitchers during this series," but did not elaborate on who tomorrow's starter might be.
In the latest NCAA statistics rankings out earlier this week, the Wolverines rank in the top 10 nationally in both ERA and fielding percentage. The Wolverines are third in ERA (0.94) and 10th in fielding percentage (.974). Nicole Motycka checked in ninth in the country in ERA at 0.77.
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
