By John Sleeper
Herald Writer
Teresa Wilson nailed it.
The University of Washington softball coach wasn’t optimistic that her Huskies would host an NCAA Regional tournament.
Today, they play their opener against Oakland (Mich.) University – at Ann Arbor, Mich.
This, despite the fact the Huskies are the top seed in the regional. This, despite the facts that the Huskies are 44-16, are ranked sixth in the country and won their last five games, including two against second-ranked Arizona and one against No. 4 ASU.
Because of an NCAA mandate that limits travel, Washington finds itself in the same boat as the other six Pacific-10 Conference teams. Top-ranked UCLA and Arizona are top seeds in other regions, yet leave home. Arizona State, No. 8 Stanford and No. 15 Oregon State are seeded second in their respective regionals and have to travel. Fifth-ranked Cal is a third seed in its regional and is on the road.
Thus the Pac-10, traditionally the strongest conference in the nation, is a victim of geography.
But what’s done is done. Washington sends a young but talented team to Ann Arbor, where it appears its toughest test will be second-seeded Michigan. Besides having the advantage of hosting the tournament, the Wolverines are just plain good.
A Women’s College World Series participant a year ago, Michigan (45-9) comes in with a 12-game winning streak, including a sweep in the Big Ten tournament. Third baseman Stefanie Volpe (.424) is one of six Wolverines hitting better than .300. Marissa Young (25-7, 0.91 ERA), the conference Pitcher of the Year, and freshman Nicole Motycka (20-2, 1.43) give the Wolverines a top-notch 1-2 punch on the mound so critical in the postseason.
The Huskies, with 15 freshmen and sophomores on the roster, have speed and power. Junior shortstop Jaime Clark leads the team with 17 home runs, while freshman catcher Kristen Rivera has 16. Both won all-Pac-10 first-team honors.
The Huskies have stolen 102 bases, led by Clark (23) and sophomore Rita Roach (22).
On the mound, the Huskies also have two solid performers in sophomore Tia Bollinger (19-9, 1.20 ERA) and freshman Ashley Boek (18-2, 1.26 ERA, 143 strikeouts, 52 walks).
Oakland (25-36-1) is one of just three teams in the 48-team postseason with a losing record. The Golden Grizzlies got into the tournament by winning the Mid-Continent Conference.
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