jordan taylor

Jordan Taylor led Team USA to a 6-4 victory against Japan in the championship game of the World Cup of Softball at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City Oklahoma.  This is the headquarters of ASA softball. 

Team USA fed off the strong arm of JT.  JT had a no-no going into the 5th inning before the wheels came off.  Japan bitch-slapped us for one run in the 5th and one in the 6th.  Japan rallied for 2 runs in the 7th but that was all. 

JT gave way to Chelsea Thomas in the 5th who gave way to Keilani Ricketts in the 7th who picked up the save.  JT pitched 5.1 innings and gave up 1 ER off 3 hits while striking out 5 and walking 1.  JT faced 21 batters. 

Nice job ladies and thanks to JT, who continues to amaize us.

 

As many of you know, the International Olympic Committee voted to eliminate softball from the Olympics.  They say softball give the USA an unfair advantage because we are so good.  Here is a petition to reinstate softball to the Olympic games.  Please take a moment to sign it.

http://www.petitiononline.com/olysoftb/

Finals against Japan and their ace pitcher (Yukiko Ueno) tonight (8:30 EDT on ESPN2 and ESPN3.com), following the US's 10-0 blow-out of Great Britain yesterday.  Per previous post, Jordan closed out the Saturday victory against Japan with 4 strikeouts of the only 4 batters she faced.  Per NewsOK (The Oklahoman):

Team USA is expected to start University of Michigan pitcher Jordan Taylor, but coach Ken Eriksen said “the entire staff will be ready to go."

Jordan brought in at bottom of the 6th as third US pitcher in game over Japan, a must-win game for the US after losing to Canada earlier in the day.  US up 8-4, but first reliever in trouble.  Jordan strikes out batter to end the inning, then strikes out all three batters she faces in the 7th, the first being a 10-pitch outing.  Commentator: "Great battle won by Jordan Taylor."

Couldn't find any stats, and bizarrely difficult even to find the final score.  Went to ESPN3.com to replay, expecting just to skim through to the highlights.  Pleased to see all the camera time Jordan got behind the fence cheering all the other girls on.  Then fast-forwarded to the final inning to watch the glee of victory and surprised to see her out there.  Worth replaying from her entrance.  Four batters, four Ks.

Next game against Great Britain this afternoon, 5:00 pm EDT on ESPN2, streaming on ESPN3.com.  Have no idea who's pitching, but Taylor's making her mark.

Former UM softball pitcher going against Australia on ESPN started at 7PM CST. Edit: Taylor pitches 5.1 giving up 2 earned. Will get ND.

Jordan Taylor becomes only the 2nd Michigan Softball Player to be selected to Team USA.  This is quite an honor for any softball player.  The chance to play for one's country is what little girls dream of.  Lets hope they bring back Softball to the Olympics.

Congrats to JT and thanks for being one of the best pitchers in Michigan history (IMO).

Here is the link to the Mothership.

http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/062111aaa.html

Four members of the Michigan Softball team earned All-American Honors by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).  Amanda Chidester, Jordan Taylor, Ashley Lane and Bree Evans were selected.  The honors were released today

There are not many surprises here.  Chiddy came on strong for M and was selected Big 10 Player of the Year.  She lead the team in several batting categories and played a helleva 3B.  She made first team. 

JT was lights out all year.  She got roughed up a little in the regionals and that may have hurt slightly as she was selected to the second team. 

My All-American selection Ashely Lane was chosen for the second team as well.  Her hitting power was the spark we needed in the 5 hole.  She may have made first team but she had a few too many strikeouts including several called thrid strikes.  Coaches HATE called third strikeouts.

Bree Evans was a slight surprise, I'm sure, to the rest of the nation but not to us.  She was the spark that got the rally going.  Her OB% and her speed is awesome.  She is not a home run hitter as we all know, but she gets the job done.

Left out was Dorian Shaw.  This was somewhat of a surprise to me because Dorian's numbers were still very good and deserved a Third Team honor.  However, she slipped in the second half of the season and that hurt her.

Another point.  If Colie did not get injured and was able to play in the Regionals, it would have been a completely different outcome.  Combine that with a bad call in the first KY game on Chiddy, and we could have won the regionals and played Cal in the Supers.  JT's stock would have been higher for sure.

Softball is a very fickle game.  Both losses in the regionals were by 1 run.  A bad call, a bad bounce, a hit's batmen, and a simple Texas Leaguer was enough to keep JT off the First Team.

Congrats to these 4 ladies and thanks for a wonderful season.  We wish JT luck in her professioinaln career and the remining 3 let's come back in the fall with piss and vinegar to kick some butt.  Its great.....to be .......a Michigan Wolverine.

 

Here is the link to the mothership:  www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/060111aaa.html