U-M Completes Fall Exhibition Schedule with 8-2 Mark

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan softball team competed in three tournament this fall -- the Elk Rapids Collegiate Softball Tournament, the Michigan Fall Softball Invitational and the Nebraska Fall Classic -- and compiled an 8-2 record.

Michigan Softball 2005 Fall Schedule

Date	Opponent	W/L	Score
ELK RAPIDS COLLEGIATE SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT
Sept. 24	Michigan State	W	6-1
	Western Michigan	W	13-2
	Central Michigan	W	8-2
Sept. 25	Semifinals	rained out
	Finals/Consolation	rained out

MICHIGAN FALL INVITATIONAL
Oct. 2	Canisius	W	6-0
	Eastern Michigan	W	1-0 (8)

NEBRASKA FALL CLASSIC
Oct. 14	Nebraska	W	5-2
Oct. 15	Colorado State	W	2-1
	Nebraska	L	1-4
	Canada	L	2-4
Oct. 16	Creighton	W	4-0

Elk Rapids Collegiate Softball Tournament: Michigan held the opposition to just five runs, while putting 27 on the board in three five-inning games. Michigan's offense looked better than expected so early in the fall season. Defensively, Michigan used most of its line-up and moved people around the field a lot. A good crowd was on hand to enjoy good softball in the beautiful weather on Saturday.

Quoting coach Carol Hutchins ... "In the fall season we try to get everyone playing time. It is a learning process, not a result process. We were able to give Lorilyn Wilson and Stacy Delaney significant pitching time while resting Jennie Ritter. We were also able to get Angie Danis into the game to see where she is right now. We wish we could have played Sunday as well to give our players more innings, but the weather didn't cooperate. We learned a lot about our team and I was pleased that we still have a tremendous amount of enthusiasm for the game and for Michigan. This weekend was exactly what we wanted and Elk Rapids offered a good practice setting. The crowds were great and I think the tournament is good for the game of softball in Northern Michigan.

Michigan Fall Softball Tournament: Michigan did not allow a run against Canisius and Eastern Michigan, while giving junior Lorilyn Wilson (Salem, Ore./Sprague) and freshman Stacy Delaney (Freeland, Mich./Freeland) some work in the circle. The U-M freshmen showed flashes of great defense in the second game vs. the Eagles, catching an Eastern Michigan runner in a rundown between third and home, while offensively, sophomore Samantha Findlay (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) brought the crowd to its feet with a shot to left field against Canisius, ushering in the fall tournament.

Quoting Coach Hutchins ... "In the fall season we just look to get better. We try to give everyone some experience out there and get our freshmen some innings. In the fall we get to see what we have and who's who. The good thing is that people get to play and we get some good experience out there. We didn't look very tough or aggressive at the plate against Eastern Michigan and we have to work on our consistency. Stacy Delaney got some good innings and we were able to move some people around to different positions to get them some extra work."

Nebraska Fall Classic: Michigan faced its toughest competition of the fall at the Nebraska Fall Classic, playing five games in three days against Team Canada, Colorado State and NCAA championship participants Nebraska and Creighton. Michigan downed the host Huskers in the opening game and used a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh to overcome a one-run deficit and defeat Colorado State. Nebraska won the rematch on Saturday with four runs in the fifth inning and Team Canada handed Michigan its second loss of the fall in the nightcap. The Wolverines rebounded on the final day of the tournament to shut out Creighton in the victory.

Quoting Coach Hutchins ... "This weekend was another good chance to get everyone significant playing time. We had five seven-inning games which allowed us the opportunity to gauge the depth of our lineup, as well as get a good look at Teddi Ewing at shortstop. We are still learning to find a new identity without Jessica Merchant in infield and with a freshman at shortstop we need the seniors to step up and take over. We're still looking for a field general and it will be a priority over the winter."

"Jennie Ritter looked excellent in her first game of the fall despite giving up a big inning. Lorilyn Wilson pitched strong and has shown improvement but still needs to find a way to shut down the opponent. We are very pleased with Stacy Delaney's progress and she has very good potential. Delaney threw a lot of good pitches this weekend."

"Our offense was sub-par this weekend. We have a lot of capable hitters but hitting is contagious. We did not swing the bat as well as we're capable of but it's fall so we are not overly concerned. Everyone needs to pick up the slack after the departure of Jessica Merchant and Nicole Motycka. We need to have our returnees do what they do and build on that."

"The Nebraska Fall Classic was a great learning opportunity for us. It was one of the best fall tournaments our program has been a part of and the competitive field gave us a needed challenge. Nebraska was a great host. They have a beautiful facility, it was 80 degrees or more every day and Nebraskans are some of the friendliest people I have ever met."

Contact: Richard Retyi (734) 763-4423