09/24/2006

Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
Michigan’s Rebekah Milian drops down a bunt during Saturday’s Elk Rapids Collegiate Softball Tournament.

Elk Rapids tourney a chance for teams to tweak

Michigan goes 3-0 on first day

BY DENNIS CHASE

dchase@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — For Kyla Sullivan, it's a chance to bond with her teammates.

For Carol Hutchens, it's a chance to practice and compete.

For Jacquie Joseph, it's a chance to evaluate.

For Terri Findlay, it's a chance to watch her two daughters play together again on the softball diamond.

The Elk Rapids Collegiate Softball Tournament is many things to many people.

For sun-drenched fans Saturday, it was a chance to get a sneak peak at four Division I state teams prior to the start of the 2007 season.

"These are practice games — they don't count," said Hutchens, the University of Michigan coach. "But it's a chance for all of us to get our kids on the field competing."

Hutchens, who led the Wolverines to the NCAA national championship in 2005, had to like Saturday's outcomes. Michigan beat Michigan State 4-1, Central Michigan 7-2 and Western Michigan 1-0.

"We have a long ways to go," Hutchens said. "Our pitching has a long ways to go. Defensively, we're very young. We have one veteran on the infield. The good news is that they're going to get better and better. It will be fun to watch them grow."

Western Michigan is coming off a 34-win season. The Mid-American Conference regular-season champions started slowly, losing 1-0 to Central Michigan, before rebounding to beat Michigan State 6-0.

"We obviously had a slow start offensively," Broncos coach Kathy Leitke said. "We didn't make much happen (against Central Michigan). The bats were sitting on our shoulders. We were a little more aggressive offensively in the second game and it definitely paid off."

Leitke likes what the tournament offers.

"The opportunity up here is just wonderful," she said. "It gives us a chance to get out on the field and see some different combinations. And it's a great team building opportunity early in the year. That's what is most valuable for us in the fall."

Broncos pitcher Kyla Sullivan agreed.

"This (tournament) helps everyone to get to know each other a little better," said Sullivan, who hurled four shutout innings against the Spartans. "We're trying different things out so we can find the best core (players)."

Leitke's optimistic about the Broncos chances in the spring.

"Obviously, like everyone else, we have key spots to replace," she said. "Yet, we're excited about some young people stepping up and filling positions. That's what we're here to take a look at."

Michigan State coach Jacquie Joseph didn't exactly like what she saw in the Spartans first two games — one run in 10 innings.

"I'm surprised at our lack of offense," she said. "We're definitely hurting. I have four starters out. But even with that, I've been surprised at our presence, lack thereof, at the plate. I hope we can address that issue before the weekend's over."

The Spartans actually started to address it in their final game Saturday, a 6-2 win over Central.

Joseph said the opportunity to find out potential weaknesses so they can be worked on makes this tournament invaluable.

Joseph's sister, Traverse City West teacher Stephanie Long, was among those watching the action Saturday.

"My whole family has been through a lot with me over the years," Joseph said. "They've seen a lot of games. They've been very supportive. They ride the roller coaster with me."

Did Long offer her sister any advice on Saturday?

"No, no, no," Long said. "I'm not a backseat driver. She does this. I do my thing. We stay out of each other's thing. We just support each other."

Terri Findlay drove six hours from Lockport, Ill., to watch and support her daughters, Samantha and Angela. Samantha, who plays first base for Michigan, was the 2005 College World Series MVP. She belted a two-run homer in the win over CMU on Saturday. Angela is a freshman for the Wolverines.

"They enjoy playing together," said Terri Findlay. "It's nice to see them together again. Angela had a couple of other (options), but it was her decision. She really liked Michigan. They have a great business school. That's what she was looking for. And she really liked the team and the coaches."

The tournament concludes today with games starting at 10:30 a.m. Michigan plays Central Michigan and Michigan State takes on Western Michigan in the early games.