Bree Evans

The Michigan Softball team avoided a rare Big Ten sweep today by beating Minny 5-3.  It wasn't easy however as it took 10 innings to do so.

Haylie Wagner hit the GW HR in the 10th inning for the win.  Amy Knapp scored the insurance run off a Bree Evans single.  Haylie finished 1 for 4 with the lone RBI and run. She also pitched the entire game.  She finished with 3 ER off 5 hits.  She struck out 7 and surrendered 5 walks.

Amy Knapp went 2 for 3 with an RBI and 2 runs scored.  Bree Evans was in the lead off spot today and went 3 for 6 with an RBI.  Lauren Sweet went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

It is good to see Bree back in the #1 hole and she does not appear to be injured.  Coach must have just wanted to juggle the lineup yesterday and put Bree in the #9 hole.

We stay atop the Big Ten standings sitting on 12-3. 

2) Purdue 10-4 lost to Illinois today 8-6, so they are 1 game behind.

3) Wisconsin 11-4 beat Penn St. 9-0

4) Nebraska 10-5 lost to ohio 4-0

I think it is safe to say that we will not get a #1 seed to host a regional.  It is possible that we would be a #2 seed in an Ann Arbor regional with the MAC champion and possibly Megangoblue's team or maybe my buddy's team Valpo.  This would be a long shot.

The Michigan Softball team had its best series of the year, this weekend in Columbus.  We smoked them Friday 10-2, then took 2 from them today 11-4 and 6-5.

Sara Driesenga started the first game and went the distance.  She finished the game with 4 ER off 5 hits.  She struck out 4 and walked 5. She also went 3 for 5 at the plate.

The offense is clicking in mid-season form by scrapping up 16 hits.  Yes, that is correct.  I said 16 (sixteen) hits.  Chiddy led the way with a 2 for 3 performance and getting 3 RBIs and scoring 2 runs.  Colie game out of her mini-slump by going 4 for 4 with 2 RBIs and a run scored.  Ashley, Lyndsay and Steph Kirkpatrick each had 2 hits.

The second game was a little closer but not as close as the score would indicate.  Haylie got the start and had a complete game.  Things were a little rough on Haylie in the first inning.  She had one pitch she which she could have back.  It was a meat-ball for ohio 1B Evelyn Carrillo, who sent it for a ride for a grand slam.  After that 1st inning, Haylie settled in and pitched a wonderful game.  She ended up with 4 ER off 5 hits.  She struck out 4 and walked 3.

The offense was led by Amy Knapp.  She was 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs and 1 run scored. Bree Evans went 2 for 3 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored.  We had 3 errors in the second game which can't make Coach happy.

Now I can say that we are starting to get on track.  ohio is a very good team this year.  They will finish in the top half of the B1G.  We should have swept Indiana last week too but that is how things go.  Great job ladies.  Keep up the good work.  We never lost faith in you. 

I just hope everyone on this board realizes that we have an icon for a coach.  She is the best and I would not trade her for anyone including Candreas. 

The Michigan Softball Team had its first Mercy-Rule win today against EMU at Alumni Field.  Today's game was not on the schedule; however, after two games in the Judi Garman Classic were canceled due to rain, Coach decided to get one in before the Big Ten Season.

Sara Driesenga got the win.  She pitched 5 innings, gave up 2 unearned runs (0 ER) off 3 hits.  She struck out 3 and walked none.  She helped herself with the bat as well by going yard with a runner on base.  She finished the game 1 for 2 with 2 RBIs and a run scored from the round tripper.

Chiddy hit a grand slam in the 8 run, 3rd inning.  She ended up 1 for 2 with the 4 RBIs and the run scored from the dinger.  Bree went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored.

Coach continues to juggle the lineup.  She had Chiddy at 1st, Steph and 3rd and Amy at SS.  Colie was batting in the 9 hole and Lauren was batting in the 8th slot.

Not to shabby for the first game at home this year.  It was nice to get a tune-up prior to the Big Ten season.

Blue Dragon?  You know what to do.

The #14 Michigan Softball Team lost a close one to #16 Louisville today 2-1.  Haylie Wagner pitched very well today.  She gave up 1 ER on 5 hits.  She gave up 2 walks and registered 0 strikeouts.  Typically this outing is good enough to win most games.

The hitting is still sluggish.  We only had 4 hits total.  Bree Evans went 2 for 3 with an RBI.  Steph K went 1 for 3 and scored the only run.  Nothing much else to report on the offensive front.

Coach Hutch kept the line-up in flux by moving Steph K to 3B, Chiddy to 1B, and Amy to SS.  Ashley played 2B, and Lauren caught.  The outfield remained the same with Colie, Bree and Lyndsay.

We play again at 3pm against St Louis.  We are in Louisville Ky for the Black and Red Tourney.  Weather is 60F and sunny, just wonderful for softball.

The Michigan Softball team righted the ship this morning by defeating Mississippi State 3-1 in Clearwater Florida.  This comes off the heels of two disappointing losses Friday and Saturday. Haylie started in the circle and yielded 1ER off 4 hits with 1 BB and 2 HBP.  Sara came in to relieve Haylie in the 5th inning.  Sara finished allowing 0 ER and 1 hit; she had 1 K and 0 BB.  Coach is keeping the youngsters on a short leash today.

The offense was led by Caitlin Blanchard who went 1 for 2 with an RBI and a run scored.  She hit a crucial hit to knock in Chiddy from second.  Bree Evans was awarded an RBI after she worked the pitcher to full count while the bases were loaded and managed to get a good call along the way for the base on balls which scored a run.  Chiddy went 2 for 3 with a run scored.

Now this is Michigan Softball that we know and love.  Great pitching, timely hitting and ZERO errors today can make a coach smile.  Coach Hutch uses many bench players today as well.  Katie Luetkens, Brandi Virgil, and Jaclyn Crummey got into the game. 

The two losses this weekend hurts.  There is no doubt about that.  We will drop more than a few spots in the polls next week.  However, mid-season polls are useless.  It gives fans and alums something to brag about before the Big Ten season starts.  I personally wish they would release polls starting on May 1st leading into Regionals.  Either way, GREAT job this morning ladies.

The team will stay in Florida for Spring Break and play Wednesday against USF in Tampa.  This week we will play some top teams so we will get tested through this coming weekend.  I have faith in the ladies and Coach will ensure they are ready to play.

Stephanie Spiereman was in the circle today and pitched a very good game.  She pitched a complete game shutout.  She scattered 5 hits and recorded 9 strikeouts with no walks but 2 HBP.  This strong showing definitely puts her on the map in terms of starting pitchers.  Who knows? Maybe coach will have 3 starting pitchers this year.  That would be great.

The offense was led by Freshman C Lauren Sweet, who went 2 for 3 with an RBI.  Bree went 2 for 3 with a run scored.  Even Haylie Wagner got into the fray.  She batted DP in the 4 slot and went 1 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored.

This team is going to be special down the stretch so you dont want to miss a single game.  Coach has to have wonderful dreams every night as this team continues to grow and jell.  Keep in mind, we have 3 freshman, 2 of which has not played in the snow.  I cant wait for the tix to go on sale.  I think we will sell out a majority of the games, especially in late April and May.

Congrats ladies on a wonderful tournament.  You all deserve M&Ms.