Evans, Griffin Armed for Farewell in Series

The stage is set.

Nancy Evans of Arizona and Sara Griffin of Michigan, two of the most successful softball pitchers in NCAA Division I history, will finish their college careers this weekend at the College World Series in Oklahoma City.

The two riseball-throwing right-handers who aspire to be Olympians could square off for the first time in a college game in the five-day series, perhaps in the final.

It would be quite a showdown, considering the two aces have combined for 226 victories for the two top-ranked teams in the nation.

Evans, a Hoover High graduate, and Griffin, a Simi Valley alumna, are among 16 players in NCAA history to record 100 career pitching victories.

Evans, buoyed by Arizona’s tremendous offense, this season broke a Division I national record with a .945 career winning percentage. With 121 career wins in 128 decisions, Evans ranks third nationally for all-time pitching victories and has a 1.31 earned-run average.

Griffin, who in four seasons has single-handedly guided Michigan to prominence, is 105-17 (.861), ranks No. 10 in career victories and has a 1.10 ERA.

Their similarities don’t end at their statistics or Valley-area upbringing. Both overcame season-ending injuries in college, picking up where they left off upon their return.

Sidelined in 1996 by ligament damage and bone chips in her left foot which necessitated surgery, Evans received a medical redshirt after a 4-0 start that season.

Griffin’s trouble came a year later when she collided with first baseman Traci Conrad trying to make a play on a popped bunt in front of the plate. Griffin, who was 15-2 at the time, broke her left arm in two places. Three weeks later, she was diagnosed with a broken elbow and wore a cast from palm to armpit.

When it comes to World Series appearances, however, the pair’s success rate goes in different directions.

Evans, the World Series most valuable player last year, is 7-1 with a 1.25 ERA in the tournament. She has given up 43 hits, struck out 50 and walked eight in 56 innings.

Griffin, a 5-foot-9 senior, is 0-3 in four World Series starts in 1995 and ’96. In 14 innings, she has allowed 20 hits and seven earned runs for a 3.50 ERA.

But this year will be different, Griffin said.

“I’m one of the grandmas,” she said. “When I played before [in the World Series], I was a youngster.

“It is Michigan’s turn. We have the experience, the leadership, and we have the talent.”

College World Series

TODAY’S FIRST-ROUND MATCHUPS

at Hall of Fame Stadium, Oklahoma City

* Arizona vs. Oklahoma State, 10 a.m.

* Washington vs. Massachusetts,

12:30 p.m.

* Michigan vs. Texas, 4 p.m.

* Fresno State vs. Nebraska, 6:30 p.m.

Double-elimination tournament runs through Monday’s championship at 11 a.m. (All times PDT).