The Director's Seat - Andy's Blog

This is probably a one-off that I'm passing off as the start of something grander to legitimize not studying for my last exam of 2011 over here in the Netherlands, but it's fun to dream. I'm well aware that the field of sports + pop culture combo blogging is quite crowded, but its crowded because it's kind of fun. This will almost certainly be a summer-only feature, and we'll switch back to a sports-only format once we have Michigan athletics to broadcast again. For now, bookmark this right next to your Simmons and Deadspin tabs.

Entertainment

Summer is either upon us or right around the corner, and there has always been a distinct "summer" style of music that I really enjoy. It's light, breezy, and jangly, and two new releases from hotly tipped bands have finally hit the interwebs.

First up is Cults' eponymously titled debut album, due May 31st, streaming exclusively via NPR. You can find it here. I just caught Cults in Amsterdam and they were really good, and this album starts as strong as any I've listened to all year. It's pleasant pop music for a pleasant summer. Here's the third track, "You Know What I Mean," which was a stunner live.

The much anticipated new album from Atlanta punks Black Lips, Arabia Mountain, has made its way to the internet ahead of its June 7 release date, and on first listen it sounds like all the concerns fans had about new producer Mark Ronson were unfounded. Perhaps slightly more sedate than their past albums, Arabia Mountain is still sure to be one of the most talked about albums of 2011. Here's a sample.

The only band whose album has actually already come out, Explosions in the Sky returned in 2011 with Take Care, Take Care, Take Care. The album is more of the same from the Austin-based band, which is to say atmospheric, soaring rock void of vocals. The result can be chilling if you're patient enough with the songs.

If that sound is familiar, it's because EITS provided much of the music for both the movie and TV versions of Friday Night Lights, which leads me to my next segment...

Everyone is watching Friday Night Lights on NBC, right? Because it's an incredible show, and in basically every way the best. Much more than a football drama (it doesn't hurt to be a football fan), this show captures human relationships better than any show I've ever watched, and it is a wholly engrossing viewing experience. The fifth (and final) season aired last fall on DirecTV, and NBC is in the middle of the fifth season now (Friday nights, 8 pm ET). Seriously, if you haven't already, do yourself the favor and start from the beginning and grow with this series. You couldn't ask for a better series. You'll find yourself wishing Michigan could hire Coach Eric Taylor to be a QB coach or something, I promise. Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose. Here's an introduction for the uninitiated.

I won't get into more TV for now, as most shows I watch have wrapped up their seasons, but everyone should be doing their best to stay up to date with Parks and Recreation.

Finally, Vulture brings us a handy guide to summer movies in a form most of you should find familiar: F, Marry, Kill: The Summer Movie Edition. It's full of great looking movies to be released this Summer, but perhaps the most important revelation is that there is going to be a 4th Spy Kids movie! I loved the first one, when I was 11, but the last two weren't worth watching. I won't bother posting all the trailers that look good, but suffice it to say I will certainly be seeing Harry Potter, The Debt, and 30 Minutes or Less in theaters.

Here's the trailer for 30 Minutes or Less, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Aziz Ansari, and Danny McBride - a dream team of sorts. Be warned the trailer is NSFW.

There are some really great looking documentaries included in that lineup, which should serve as a reminder to take full advantage of the Michigan Theater's summer documentary series running June-August! Their Facebook page has all the details. A personal suggestion? Blood Into Wine, a documentary about Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan's winery operation, featuring a whole slew of comedians, musicians, and actors.

(Inter)national Sports

Novak Djokovic's amazing start to 2011 continues as the French Open gets underway at Roland Garros. Djoko is now 38-0 to start the year and chasing all kinds of history. Rafael Nadal has owned the clay in Paris for quite some time now, but Djokovic could be on target to knock Nadal off and claim his first French Open title. S.L. Price wrote a great piece in the latest Sports Illustrated that's worth your time. Find it here.

Michigan alum and benefactor Fred Wilpon is in the news again, this time for criticizing stars Jose Reyes, David Wright, and Carlos Beltran in the midst of the Mets' on and off the field struggles. He doesn't say anything particularly wrong, but the candor is unusual. It appears that all three stars are in play for moves elsewhere.

Last night Joakim Noah became the second high profile player caught on TV dropping a homophobic slur, and while he quickly apologized, it will always come off as hollow. The NBA will almost certainly levy a fine like they did against Kobe Bryant, but none of this addresses the larger problem that homophobic slurs are a popular component of jock culture. With the recent news that Suns CEO Rick Welts is openly gay, the issue of homophobia in the NBA and in sports culture at large has been brought to the forefront, where it should be addressed candidly. It's time to hold athletes to a standard of basic human decency, and Steve Nash appears to be leading the pack.

Though Lance Armstrong has been dogged by doping allegations his entire career in a sport notorious for widespread doping, some of the strongest allegations yet have emerged from former teammates Tyler Hamilton and George Hincappie. 60 Minutes has the video report. Lance has always enjoyed a strong defense from sports fans and the American media, and it will be interesting to see whether these overwhelmingly damning allegations can finally tarnish his record-setting image. I've always found myself rooting for Armstrong and dismissing doping rumors as the work of the jealous French, but now we're forced to confront whether former American teammates would lie about Armstrong using illegal substances.

Chelsea F.C. fired respected manager Carlo Ancelotti yesterday, despite finishing second in the English Premier League, and winning the league in 2009-10. Roman Abramovich is a madman. Meanwhile, my Arsenal limped to a pathetic finish in the EPL, going from in the running for four trophies to fourth place in the EPL in a mere couple of months. So is the wild world of international football.

Michigan

Revenue sports are done for the year, and football recruiting will be the subject of dedicated posts throughout the summer. If you've been paying attention at all you should know that Brady Hoke and Co. are absolutely destroying it on the recruiting trail, and are on pace for Michigan's best recruiting class in recent memory. So that's fun.

In more somber news, Michigan was eliminated from the NCAA softball tournament yesterday after a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Kentucky that featured a 7th-inning collapse. The loss not only ends the season for Coach Hutch, but also marks the end of the historic careers of Jordan Taylor and Dorian Shaw. Big, big holes to fill next season. Recap on MGoBlue.com.

Lion Kim continues to be awesome, and Michigan surged to a win at their NCAA regional to earn a place in the NCAA championships in Oklahoma. Kim shot a career-best 65 to pace Michigan. He'll go down as one of Michigan's all-time greats, and treated M fans everywhere to quite a thrill following him at the Masters. The season is far from over for Michigan, which will be looking to pull the massive upset and take down #1 Oklahoma State in Stillwater. Recap on MGoBlue.com.

That's going to do it for now. Please leave feedback here, or hit me up on Twitter , and we'll see about making this a regular summer feature if people like it.

Most importantly, this thing needs a proper name if it's going to continue. Suggestions appreciated and acknowledged!

Michigan Softball Home Opener

Check out Michigan Softball's Home Opener vs. Bowling Green tomorrow at 3:00 P.M. on the WCBN Sports Stream and MGoBlue.com!

Michigan Softball is #5 in the nation entering play, fresh off a 4-1 effort at the Judi Garman classic. Bowling Green, out of the MAC, features junior pitcher Zada Lines, who tossed her first career no-hitter earlier this season in a 3-0 win over Dartmouth.

Last Call for a National Championship

Dear Class of 2009,

I hope unemploy- er, I mean "post graduation life" is treating you well. We've only been away from campus a few weeks, but I'll go on a limb and say you already miss Ann Arbor. You miss "halter-top"/"beach" days on Elbel in the Spring, the Law Quad in the Winter, and Football Saturdays in the Fall. I know I do.

We came to Michigan as freshman just as the Hill Cafeteria was beginning construction, the Art Museum's new wing was breaking ground, and "the Markley Tunnel" under the School of Public Health was in the infant stages. The new Business School was still a hole in the ground, and the School of Public Policy was about to open next door. During the four years we were in Ann Arbor, things always seemed to be in a transition phase. Nothing seemed complete. Nothing seemed finished.

Things weren't much different in the Michigan Athletic Department. Michigan Football went 11-1 our Sophomore year, but missed a national title chance with a loss against OSU. Michigan Hockey made the Frozen Four, but missed a national title chance in OT to Notre Dame. Michigan Baseball beat Vanderbilt (and Rays' pitcher David Price) to win the regional title, but lost to eventual national champs Oregon State the following round. Each time we saw a team close in on a title, they couldn't complete the journey. They couldn't finish what they started.

And, yes, Michigan Lacrosse won back-to-back national championships our final two years...but they are still a club varsity team waiting for their shot to play with the big boys. Can't count it.

Plain and simple, we have not seen a national title in our time at Michigan... in ANY sport. As if being part of the worst four year Football stretch of any graduating class the past fifteen years wasn't bad enough! Attending Michigan and witnessing one national title team is part of the athletic experience! Shouldn't we be eligible for some type of reparations payment?

While most of us have left Ann Arbor, we still have one last sport to help make up for all the close calls the past four years: SOFTBALL. This was the last Michigan sport to win a national title (2005), and it came the summer before our first semester on campus. The first team to win a softball title west of the Mississippi River. Down 0-1 in the series to UCLA, they came back to win two straight (the last one in 10 innings) and put Wolverine Softball on the national map. This season's team was 20-9 to begin the Big Ten season (last place in the Big Ten) and have now gone 27-1 since then to run the Big Ten title and make it to the College World Series. Most people had this team counted out after losing the opening series to Northwestern. Now they stand as the only Big Ten team left in the NCAA tournament, and are two wins away from the final series for the NCAA Championship. It is a comeback that Mickey Rourke would stand and applaud.

Like so many other things on Michigan's campus, this team had a transition period of its own. With only one senior and four upper classmen playing regularly, the season started out rough before slowly coming together after the Northwestern series. Freshmen Bree Evans and Amanda Chidester began playing softball well beyond their years. Dorian Shaw started living up to much of the hype the greeted her during her freshman season. The pitching duo of Nemitz and Taylor was unhittable. The foundation for a tournament run was falling into place. The finishing touches came during a sweep of OSU, that helped secure a Big Ten title on their home field.

Our class was at the Big House for "Touchdown MANNINGHAM" against PSU in Football, the NCAA Berth and beating of Duke at Crisler in hoops, and the '09 sweep of MSU at Yost in hockey. But we were also there for Toledo and Appalachian State, Harvard and the entire Amaker era in Basketball, and the Air Force game. We've had our good moments, our bad moments, but never our great moments.

That said, let's root as hard as we can for this softball team one last time. Drink to every Nikki Nemitz strikeout, cheer for every Dorian Shaw home run, and hope that Coach Hutch can keep her team, as she likes to say, "in the moment." The graduates from our 2009 class will always be Michigan fans, but this is the last chance for us to truly call a team "ours."

And as for all the construction projects I mentioned earlier? They were all finished before we left Ann Arbor, the last being the Art Museum opening two weeks before graduation. The University finished it all just in the nick of time.

Hopefully, Michigan Softball can do the same for us.

Michigan Softball LIVE on the new YouCastr

Listen live today at 2 P.M. to Michigan Softball's home opener vs. Loyola University Chicago by clicking HERE.

Update: Michigan won game one of the doubleheader 4-1. Nikki Nemitz picked up the win, throwing a complete game and only allowing one hit (in the seventh) while striking out 12.

Update #2: Michigan scored 11 runs in the first inning and won game two 13-0 in a mercy-rule five-inning ballgame.

Quick Hits and a National Championship

Couple quick updates on some of the previous articles we have done on Maize and Blog:

The Udoh Saga Continues: A few weeks ago, we posted that Ekpe Udoh had thought about/decided to transfer from U of M because of reported differences with Michigan's style of basketball. To update the situation, Udoh released his choices for transfer schools earlier this week in the Edmond Sun, his hometown paper. Atop the list were local schools (Oklahoma, OSU, Baylor) and mid-majors Wichita State and Missouri State. The article also quoted Udoh expressing his displeasure for Beilein's offensive schemes (You don't say?!). I wouldn't be surprised to see him at OU or Baylor, both local choices which implement a sound post game on offense. Wichita has traditionally been a perimeter oriented team and OSU has a new coach with a new scheme that also would rely on jumpshots, neither a good fit for Udoh.

Simmons watch: I posted a story a few weeks ago about popular ESPN blogger/writer Bill Simmons in which I mentioned Simmons' ongoing battles with ESPN brass and how Simmons had created an alternate site for some of his old material. It wasn't known at the time that he would be posting regularly on this site, but it turns out that he has been regularly posting articles on this site, many of which were pretty well-written and entertaining. Check 'em out.

1st National Title in 4 years!.... OK, so what if it was in Men's Club Lacrosse. Some people might be quick to dismiss their success, but not me. I'll give the LaX team some much deserved credit. This is a team that, despite Bill Martin's repeated refusals to give them varsity status, has accomplished more than some varsity teams have in the past decade. Not only did they manage to win a national title, but they were also able to bring in top varsity talent to compete against during the offseason in order to draw interest and create a local fan base. (Michigan faced off against both Army and Johns Hopkins earlier this year in the Michigan Lacrosse Showcase on Elbel Field). The event drew an estimated 4,000 people. That's more than some Michigan Men's Bball games, regardless of the attendance figures the Athletic Dept. is putting out. Seriously though. Who are they trying fool by saying 10,000 people came to see Illinois and U of M when there are only 5 people sitting in the upper bowl? Congrats to the Men's LaX team and good luck in achieving varsity status next year. I know that's a ticket I'd gladly purchase after this season.

Hope everyone is enjoying the summer. Sorry if the blogging has been light as I know many people have been busy, but we are finishing strong as the Spring season ends. Look for a Mail Bag post by the end of the week.

Michigan Softball Wins Game One of Super Regional

Michigan defeated Virginia Tech 1-0 today at Alumni Field in game one of the NCAA Super Regional. It was a pitchers duel that lived up to anyone's expectations as Michigan's freshman phenom, Jordan Taylor outpitched Angela Tincher of Virginia Tech. Tincher came in leading the nation in ERA (.61) and Strikeouts (619). Tincher is also best known for no-hitting Team USA earlier this season, one of four no-hitters that she has thrown this season.

Neither pitcher allowed a run until Angela Findlay singled home Michelle Weatherdon who came on to pinch-run after Allesandra Giampaolo hit her 61st career double giving Michigan their only runner in scoring position all game long. That double tied Giampaolo for the career doubles record, but more importantly gave Michigan the chance to score the go-ahead and eventual game-winning run. With a 3-2 count, Angela Findlay drove a single back through the middle and Weatherdon was just able to beat the throw home.

Jordan Taylor picked up her 31st win of the season, going the distance allowing just three hits, no walks, and struck out seven. The two teams will face off again tomorrow at 1PM. The game will be televised on ESPN and we will have the broadcast on WCBN and MGOBLUE.com.

Audio Highlights from Michigan's 1-0 Win:
Allesandra Giampaolo's Double
Angela Findlay's RBI Single
Last out of the Game

Video Highlights Courtesy of MGOBLUE.com

Michigan Baseball/Softball Schedule This Week

THURSDAY 5/22
7:05 Baseball: Michigan vs. TBD (Big 10 Conference Tournament Opener)

FRIDAY 5/23
12:05/3:35/7:05 Baseball: Michigan vs TBD (Big 10 Conference Tournament)

SATURDAY 5/24
12:00 Softball: Michigan vs. Virginia Tech (NCAA Super Regionals-Game 1)
3:35/7:05 Baseball: Michigan vs. TBD (Big 10 Conference Tournament)

SUNDAY 5/25
*12:05 Baseball: Michigan vs. TBD (Big 10 Conference Tournament Championship-If necessary)
1:00 Softball: Michigan vs. Virginia Tech (NCAA Super Regionals-Game 2)
*3:00 Softball: Michigan vs. Virginia Tech (NCAA Super Regionals-Game 3-If necessary)

PROGRAMMING INFO: Here are our broadcast plans for this weekend. Every game of the Big 10 Conference Baseball Tournament involving Michigan, with the exception of the Sunday game (if necessary) can be heard on the WCBN Sports Stream. We will broadcast the entire NCAA Super Regional Softball best-of-three series exclusively on WCBN and MGoBlue.com.

Michigan Softball Starts NCAA Tourney In Style

GAME NOTES: The Michigan softball team just won their 2nd game in as many days at Alumni Field. Michigan defeated Notre Dame 8-0 in 5 innings. The Wolverines broke open a scoreless tie by scoring 4 runs in the 4th and then 4 more in the 5th. Marley Powers had the biggest hit of the game for Michigan with a pinch-hit 3 run two out, two strike homerun in the 4th inning. In the circle, Jordan Taylor threw a 5 inning shutout, allowing just 1 hit. On Friday night, Michigan beat Wright State in come from behind fashion by a score of 13-5 in 5 innings. The Wolverines trailed 4-0 heading into the bottom of the 3rd. Michigan crept closer over the next 2 innings and then broke the game open with a 10 run 5th inning, that included 2 grand slams, one by pinch hitter Marley Powers and the other by Maggie Viefhaus.

PROGRAMMING INFO: Michigan will next play Sunday at 1:00 et against a team to be determined. Coverage of the game can be heard on both the WCBN Sports Stream and MGoBlue.com starting at 12:50pm.

UPDATE: Kent State won twice today and will face Michigan at 1:00 tomorrow.

UPDATE, UPDATE: Michigan defeated Kent State 5-0 to advance to the NCAA Super Regionals. Jordan Taylor threw another 1-hit shutout from the circle. Offensively, Dorian Shaw broke the game open with a grand slam in the 6th inning. Michigan will play either Tennessee or Virginia Tech in a best-of-three series starting on Friday at Alumni Field.

Baseball/Softball This Week

Here's the Michigan baseball and softball schedule for the week ahead. The Michigan baseball team has already wrapped up the Big Ten regular season championship. Meanwhile, the softball team is the #4 national seed and hosts a regional to start the NCAA tournament. I'm still not entirely sure what our broadcast schedule will be. We will certainly broadcast the Michigan-Northwestern baseball game on Thursday night. Coverage on the WCBN Sports Stream begins at 6:30pm on Thursday.

THURSDAY
Baseball: 6:35pm Northwestern @ Michigan

FRIDAY
Baseball (DH): 4:05pm Northwestern @ Michigan
Softball: 7:00pm Wright State @ Michigan
Baseball (DH): 7:05pm Northwestern @ Michigan

SATURDAY
Softball: 12:00pm or 2:30pm Notre Dame/Kent State @ Michigan
Baseball: 1:05pm Northwestern @ Michigan

SUNDAY
Softball: 1:00pm TBD

Michigan Softball Wins Share of Big 10 Title

With a 3-0 win over Penn State in State College, PA today #6 ranked Michigan improves to 48-5 and will be the co-Big 10 Champions along with Northwestern. The #11 ranked Wildcats defeated Michigan State 6-1 and because they won a coin flip last week, the Wildcats will host the Big 10 Tournament May 8-10th in Evanston, IL.

Dorian Shaw and Sam Findlay homered for Michigan as all of their runs scored in the series against Penn State were via the home run. Findlay's homer was her 21st of the season which ties her own single season record that she set her freshman year in 2005 when they won the national title. Not that I'm suggesting anything....



Michigan will be in action Tuesday at 7pm when team USA comes to town led by Jennie Finch and Cat Osterman. Be sure to head down to Alumni Field to check it out in person or listen live on the WCBN Sports Stream.

Michigan 2 Penn State 0 (10 Innings)

Michigan played their longest game of the year last night, taking a full 10 innings to defeat Penn State in State College, PA. With the game still scoreless in the top of the 10th inning, Sophomore Angela Findlay homered to right to give the Wolverines all the runs they would need. Next up was Sam Findlay who gave Michigan some insurance as she stepped up to the plate and drove the ball deep over the left field fence giving Michigan the 2-0 lead. Jordan Taylor picked up her 26th win of the year as she came on to work the final 3.1 innings in relief of starting pitcher, Nikki Nemitz.

With Northwestern defeating Michigan State 6-3 in East Lansing to keep pace with Michigan atop the Big 10 Standings. Should both teams win (or lose) today, a coin flip becomes the tiebreaker to determine who hosts the Big 10 Tournament. The coin flip has already been conducted at the league offices with Northwestern winning.

Big 10 Softball Tiebreakers
1) Head-to-head record: Michigan and Northwestern split their two-game series last Sunday
2) Record against common opponents: Michigan and Northwestern each lost one game to Iowa
3) Coin flip: Northwestern has won this tiebreaker and will host the Big 10 Tournament should the teams remain tied at the end of the season.

Here are some highlights from last night's 2-0 win in 10 innings over Penn State:


And here are some highlights of the split versus Northwestern last Sunday as well as interviews with Sam Findlay, Allie Giampaolo, and Coach Hutchins:

Baseball and Softball Snag Midweek Wins, Homerun Chase Continues

Both the #22 Baseball and #6 Softball picked up midweek non-conference victories this week. Baseball knocked off in-state foe Western Michigan and softball swept a doubleheader against Florida State.


Baseball used a strong offensive performance from Nate Recknagel to move past Western Michigan on Tuesday night. Recknagel went 3-4 with 2 runs and 3 RBIs to pace the Wolverines. He also doubled and hit his 18th home run of the year, good for 2nd place in the country. That shot also tied Samantha Findlay for the top total among all University of Michigan teams. The win moved the Wolverines to 31-10, and improved their MAC conference record to 5-1, which would be good enough to lead the MAC East division.

Softball used a strong pitching performance by freshman Jordan Taylor in game 1 and a powerful offensive performance by Samantha Findlay in game 2 to sweep Florida State on Wednesday night. Michigan won game 1 by a score of 6-2. Taylor picked up the win to move to 25-2 on the season. Alessandro Giampaolo also chipped in 3 RBIs to pace the Wolverines offensively. In the nightcap Michigan leaned on the bat of senior Samantha Findlay, who went 3-4 with 2 runs and 4 RBIs. Findlay also hit her 19th home run of the season, which ties her for 3rd place nationally. In addition she reclaimed the Michigan lead, breaking a tie with Recknagel. The win moved the Wolverines to 46-5 overall.

Michigan softball will finish out their regular season this weekend with two games at Penn State. Michigan remains tied with Northwestern atop the Big Ten standings, and if both teams finish this weekend with identical records, the Big Ten title (and home-field advantage for the conference tournament) will come down to a coin flip. Softball will also host Team USA in an exhibition game next Tuesday in a final tune-up before the Big Ten Tournament.

Baseball returns to action this weekend with a four game series against rival Ohio State as they look to extend their one game Big Ten lead over Purdue. Friday night's game will be the dedication of the newly renovated Ray Fisher Stadium, with Fred Wilpon on hand to throw out the first pitch.

All four baseball games against Ohio State, as well as the May 7th game against Ball State can be heard on the WCBN Sports Stream. In addition the softball game against Team USA will be broadcast on the Stream.

Here's the softball highlights: Michigan sweeps FSU

#6 Michigan 11 Michigan State 3 (5 Innings)

East Lansing, MI -- Michigan Softball defeated Michigan State 11-3 in a mercy-rule shortened five inning game for the second day in a row. After both teams went down in order in the first inning, the Wolverines put a nine spot up on the scoreboard in the second. All nine runs scored on homers, highlighted by Samantha Findlay's grand slam. Findlay now has an NCAA-leading 18th round trippers to go with 59 RBI on the season and is on pace to threaten her own single season records of 21 homers and 77 RBIs that she set back in 2005, her freshman season.

It was freshman Dorian Shaw who started the home run parade with a 3-run shot well over the left field fence at Old College Field. Two batters later, junior Teddy Ewing lined her first home run of the season over the left field wall. Findlay's grand slam which came on a first pitch fastball cleared the scoreboard beyond that left field wall and gave Michigan the 9-0 lead.

Freshman Jordan Taylor (23-2) struggled a bit with her command on a cold and windy day, surrendering three earned runs and five hits in five innings of work. The Valencia, CA native walked two Spartans and gave up all three runs after there were two out in the inning. Bianca Mejia provided the big hit for MSU with a 2-run homer 0ver the fence in straightaway centerfield.

Michigan will be back in action tomorrow afternoon in a matchup between the two teams atop the Big 10 Standings as #12 Northwestern comes to town. The Big 10 Network will televise both games of the doubleheader starting at 12:00. WCBN will have the games as well on the stream.

Here is the highlight mix from Michigan's series sweep of Michigan State

#6 Michigan 10 Michigan State 0

Michigan needed only 1:15 to blow past Michigan State 10-0 in a mercy-rule shortened five innings at Alumni Field. Sophomore, Nikki Nemitz (20-2) led the way pitching five shutout innings, lowering her ERA to 0.65 and picking up her 20th win of the season. Nemitz has won 20 games in each of her first two seasons as a Wolverines.

With the win, the Nemitz/Jordan Taylor duo became the fastest Wolverine tandem to reach the 20 win mark in a season as it took the pair just 46 games to do so. The previous record was set last season when Lorilyn Wilson and Nemitz each won their 20th in the 50th game of the season.

Sam Findlay started off the scoring for Michigan in the third inning as she parked a solo shot in the Spartan bullpen in left. Findlay is 2nd in the country now with 17 home runs. The Wolverines would add four more in the fourth, highlighted by Allie Giampaolo's double off the top of the wall in right-center.

Nemitz's success didn't end in the circle as she would help her own cause in a big way, going 2-3 with 5 RBI. Nemitz ended the game in the fifth inning blasting her 2nd home run of the season and her first ever grand slam over the foul pole in right. The celebration was delayed however, as the fans (and broadcasters) had to wait and see whether the ball would be called fair or foul.

Michigan will wrap up the home-and-home series against their cross-state rivals tomorrow at noon in East Lansing. The nation's ERA leader, Jordan Taylor (22-2, 0.53) will get the start for Michigan. The Wolverines then return home on Sunday for an important double-header with #12 Northwestern. First game starts at noon and it should be a great day of softball between the two teams tied atop the Big 10 Conference Standings. We'll have both games for you on WCBN.

Michigan defeats Eastern Michigan 31-5

Michigan Baseball and Softball rolled over Eastern Michigan by a combined 31-5

Michigan Baseball started off the afternoon with a 20-5 domination over Eastern Michigan. 23 players saw the field for Michigan, including a rare Ben Jenzen sighting in left field! Michigan's 20 runs came on 23 hits. Putnam, Recknagel, and Abraham the 3-4-5 hitters combined to go 8-12 with 10 RBIs. Recknagel and Oaks homered despite powerful winds blowing in from center.

Across the way at Alumni Field, Michigan Softball continued the onslaught beating Eastern 11-0 in a mercy-rule shortened 4.5 innings. Sam Findlay blasted her 14th homer of the season, a three-run shot to left in the third. With that home run, Findlay surpassed the 200 RBI mark for her career. Freshman Marley Powers provided the exclamation point with a towering grandslam to the bleachers in right.

Next up for baseball are games this weekend vs Michigan State. Friday is home at 6:30, Saturday is on the road, and Sunday is back home. Softball travels to Ohio State for games on Friday (6:30) and Saturday (1:00). We'll have those games for you on the stream. Highlights to come later...busy week with finals

Michigan Softball Sweeps Illinois

Michigan picked up a pair of shutout victories on Sunday over Big 10 foe, Illinois. Michigan took the first game 8-0 in five innings and then rode the arm of Freshman, Jordan Taylor to a 5-0 win in the second game. Taylor and Nemitz were both outstanding in the circle as each threw complete game shutouts allowing just two hits. Taylor was dominant as she struck out a career-high tying 14 batters for the second day in a row. Here are some highlights from both games. *Note we do not have a highlight of Maggie Viefhaus's mammoth homer in the first game because somebody forgot to hit the record button. How's it going Jeremy?

Game #1
Roya St. Clair's 2-run double
St. Clair's RBI Single

Game #2
Dorian Shaw's RBI Single
St Clair's RBI Double
Nikki Nemitz RBI Double
Taylor's 14th Strikeout

Taylor's 14k's to come...I've gotta get to class

Ok, I'm back and here are Taylor's 14 Strikeouts set to Cheap Trick's "Surrender"

Michigan Softball Salvages Split vs Iowa

Michigan Softball (30-4, 5-1) earned a split in their home opening series against Iowa behind a lights-out performance in the circle by Freshman, Jordan Taylor. Taylor fanned a career-high 14 Hawkeyes as she hurled a complete game shutout.

Nikki Nemitz led the way from the plate with a pair of singles, including a 2-run single in the third inning that gave the Wolverines the 3-0 lead. Angela Findlay plated Allesandra Giampaolo with a double in the first inning and that would be all that Michigan needed as the Hawkeyes never advanced a runner past second base.

I'm headed out to Relay for Life, but if they have wireless, we'll get you some of the highlights from today's game later on.

UPDATE: Thanks to the wonderful University of Michigan Housing Wireless Network, here are some highlights from the softball game today

Jordan Taylor's 14 Strikeouts
Angela Findlay's RBI Double
Nikki Nemitz's 2-Run Single

Michigan Baseball/Softball's Rough Day

Michigan Baseball fell 7-3 to Central Michigan in a weekday road contest. The second inning saw Central Michigan follow the Wolverines' 3-run top of the inning with a 5-run response en route to the 4-run win.

Michigan Softball had their would-be-home-opener against Bowling Green postponed due to "wet grounds." Well, Tony, Stu, and I were all there, and although it may have been the "wet grounds" that caused this game to be postponed, given the fact that the team was practicing on the field before the game, I'm going to guess that there is a better chance that the ongoing construction on the stands and the outfield may have prompted the cancellation.

Softball is scheduled to play against Iowa on Friday at 4 p.m., pending the "drying speed" of the "wet grounds." They are also scheduled to play the Hawkeyes Saturday at noon before a noon twlight doubleheader on Sunday rounds out Michigan's first home series of the year.

Baseball is in Penn St. this weekend for their second Big Ten series. They play at 6:35 p.m. on Friday night, and they have a doubleheader starting at 2:05 p.m. on Saturday before the series finale on Sunday at 1:05 p.m.