Softball overcomes horrendous B1G umps in comeback win over Maryland
After disheartening loss to a terrible Maryland team yesterday where runs didn't get pushed across, #18 Michigan played Maryland today on the road in the rubber game of the series.
The Friday win was on BTN+ and the umps were bad. Saturday wasn't televised but I'm sure they were.
Today, they completely phoned it in and did not care what was going on in reality. For both teams.
The Game this past season was the worst B1G hatchet job to Michigan. This was the worst officiated game both ways that I've ever seen in my life.
To the game recap-
Top of the 2nd inning, and Courtney Richardson gets her 3rd HR of the season to put Michigan up 1-0.
In the 4th inning, Michigan would have bases loaded with just one out. A groundball hit in by Monte was thrown to home for the force out. The throw was high but the MD catcher got her foot down on the plate for the 2nd out in the inning.
She then threw to 1B. Monte was called out.
You tell me if this was out. Notice the blue-shirted umpire standing 3 feet away.
Also notice how the Maryland 1B's feet are in the air in all 3 shots.
The out ended the inning and stranded all 3 runners.
Maryland would use the momentum and tie the game with a solo shot in the bottom of the inning to make it a 1-1 game.
Michigan would take the lead a half frame later in the 5th when Tera Blanco drove in Natalie Peters to make it 2-1 Michigan.
The B1G umps would strike again. Bottom of the 5th, and Betsa "walks" the leadoff hitter. 2 pitches were blatant strikes.
Maryland would capitalize on the gift and take a 3-2 lead on a 2-run triple.
Though it would help Michigan in the 7th, Maryland was now getting really bad calls on pitches. Three of four Wolverines would be walked with many questionable pitches being called balls.
Kelly Christner tied the game up with an RBI single to make it 3-3. A sac fly by Blanco gave Michigan the lead.
Despite two more ridiculous "walks" in the bottom of the 7th, Betsa would overcome and Michigan held on.
Michigan wins 4-3. A game that may be a turning point in the season. This would've all but ended B1G Championship hopes if it continued in Maryland's favor. IMO, if Michigan comes out and run rules their next opponent, everyone else better watch out.
Because this was a huge comeback for the team's confidence. Michigan was 0-6 this season when trailing after 6 innings. Finally the runs came, and in a vital time.
Michigan is now 31-9-1 and 11-2 in the B1G.
Next up is another home game against MSU. That will be on Tuesday at 6pm.
Balls and strikes has never been softball's strong suit. Or umpiring in general. Good to see them dig it out, well done ladies.
Not surprised we won. Also not surprised WD can't make a post without some incredibly overly-dramatic and hyperbolic statements. Don't worry though, he'll out scream himself with his next post.
WDD maybe? Wolverine Drama Devotee
They almost ruined our season. And it was very visible on the faces of both teams, the disgust with the officiating.
I'm sure your reaction after The Game was "lay off the officials".
Give me a break.
Look at the standings and tell me it's not important.
Amusing how most of the people complaining about me calling out the officials don't post in any other Softball thread.
Funny how that works out.
April 16th, 2017 at 10:30 PM ^
If the umps were horrible for both sides, it all washes out evenly, correct??
This comment is disgustingly offensive to any baseball/softball people here. How do you need to see the ball to know that someone who is in the air wasn't touching the base?
Once they realize WD didn't actually go to Michigan.
Everytime WD makes one of these stupid posts showing his bias and crying about stuff that happens to anyone and everyone I think...
...my man doesn't even try to hide it. If something doesn't go Michigan's way...even in a win. We're going to hear about it. Just once I want to see the thread where we get a break and he's complaining about the officials or umpires making a bad call.
Make sure to show up 30 minutes early before the next game so you can beg the girls to autograph the batting glove you stole from their lockerroom
I watched the last few innings of the game including when Maryland got three runs to go ahead of Michigan. Even with a few calls that could have gone either way, Betsa wasn't pitching great that inning and you can't blame the umps when Maryland gets several hits including a triple.
Michigan is a young team without the batting prowess we have seen over the last several years.
Over B1G softball umpiring today...Please accept that refs/umps etc. are flawed and make mistakes and move on. Wants some cheese with that whine???!! Good grief.
April 16th, 2017 at 10:24 PM ^
I just watched the Tigers, Indians game. This is a level where in theory the best umpires in the land are trained and paid to be perfect. Yet over and over again the Fox Cam showed pitches that were balls called strikes. Yet none of the hitters on both sides seemed to be bothered. Perhaps if it was a September pennant game they may have had a different attitude. But if highly paid professionals are unable to consistantly call balls & strikes, what chance umps being paid peanuts? From the written account it sounds like it was a poorly called game. But nothing outside the standard deviation of what is normal for baseball or softball. Fortunately unlike Football one badly called game is not as big a deal. Even in playoff situations it is a multigame situation unlike football where there is no recourse.
April 16th, 2017 at 10:38 PM ^
This was the worst officiated game both ways that I've ever seen in my life.Until the next game where things don't go your way
April 16th, 2017 at 11:38 PM ^
Nice comeback win.
For some reason the tag Montemarano(sp?)3rd base put on the Maryland runner going to 3rd cracked me up. Runner was NOT going to get by her.
Good job young lady!
I too was blown away by how poor those umps were. Lazy is more of how I would describe them. It's like they didn't even put an effort into their job. On the double play you mention, I don't think the catcher ever touched home plate, I thought both runners were safe.
The strike zone was all over the place the entire game. Great job by the ladies to fight through and get that last win.
April 17th, 2017 at 11:21 AM ^
I saw the last 3 innings. The home plate ump was bad. And i think the announcer must have been his daughter..
April 17th, 2017 at 11:34 AM ^
The use of video stills to protest a very close call only makes sense when video replay is used in the game itself. Otherwise, you are comparing two different ontologies. Or using using oranges to complain about apples. Or something like that.
Ontology recapitulates phylogeny.
So there.