EDIT: Michigan SB #28 in RPI, #22 in both ESPN & USA Today Poll

Submitted by MGoSoftball on

The latest RPI came out and our beloved Wolverines are #28.  This is probably high enough to get a #2 seed in most Regionals.  There is an outside chance that we could host being a #2 seed, but I doubt it.

ND is #27, and 3 more Big East Teams are ranked higher than us.  Other B1G teams are Wisky, NWU and Minny who are #47, 48 and 49 respectively. Purdue checks in at #52.

EDIT:  We are #22 in both of the "voting" polls.

MGoSoftball

April 24th, 2012 at 9:47 PM ^

somewhat of a difference from last year.  I am not sure if we could expect much more in a re-building year.  I just feel for Chiddy, Bree, Steph and Hilary. 

We still have a chance if we pull it together.  I would rather be hot at the end of the season as compared to the start of the season.

justingoblue

April 24th, 2012 at 11:52 PM ^

Yea, we'll just have to see how the late B1G season unfolds. By the way, MGB is headed up to your second favorite school tomorrow, and I just read that her team's 9-1 record against MAC schools would put them in first place in either division if they played in the MAC. It should be on the radio, but given some questionable lineup decisions she's unsure if she'll get a start tomorrow.

justingoblue

April 25th, 2012 at 2:57 PM ^

Although I'm getting to the point where I'm beyond furious with the coaching staff. That's saying something considering they could have a 44 win season, depending on what happens in the next nine (or 45 with ten remaining, if Sparty wants to turn a single game into a doubleheader).

indigojay13

April 25th, 2012 at 7:29 AM ^

and Coach Hutch always makes this household proud. If we gel a bit more I can see is getting pretty far with a whole lotta Chiddy bang bangs outta the park and solid play defensively. Sweet has shown some sparks and Evans is usually solid. Lane has had a slump buy as soon as she gets out of that, oh boy. Go Blue!

Scorekeeper

April 24th, 2012 at 10:25 PM ^

I'm not sure why folks keep framing this year as a re-building year.  In 2007, after Ritter graduated the team had a very respectable year - made it to the Super Regionals vs Baylor with a freshman pitcher (Nemitz) and a non-stud senior (Wilson).

The following year they lost the Super Regional vs Virginia Tech (Tincher) with a freshman pitcher (Taylor) and Nemitz. 

In 2006, a big rebuilding year - losing lots of offensive starters, but still having Ritter, they made it to the Super Regionals vs Tennessee.

This is a disappointing season record-wise. I'm sure the coaches were not anticipating this.  Nor are they making excuses of having to replace a dominant pitcher.

I hope the players loosen up and have fun.  They will not be a #1 seed in the regionals, but plenty of  lower seeded teams advance.

And, they can host.  The NCAA has to distribute sites all of the nation; they can't all be in the SEC or PAC.  I'm pretty sure that Cal played at Louisville last year as the #1 seed and Hofstra often hosts as a #2 seed.

MGoSoftball

April 24th, 2012 at 11:49 PM ^

identify this year as a rebuilding year.  We have 3 starting freshmen in the lineup.  JT was argualby the best pitcher in M history.  Replacing a legend is the definition of re-building in my opinion.

Now, having said that; I also pointed out that if we ever get our bats hot, we will be hard to stop.  Not many teams have a 1, 2 punch like we have in the circle.  Hell our #3 and #4 could start on most D1 staffs.  I can easily see us in the WS if we get hot.

The JGBpointed out some very telling stats.  We are down in just about every single category this year compared to last year.  You dont think the girls know this?  Of course they do.

 

 

 

Wolvie3758

April 25th, 2012 at 9:00 AM ^

Clearly....But think about it...we have a very good chance at being Big Ten Champions in a rebuilding year..We have a one game lead currently..With Purdue and Wisky playing each other this weekend and hoping that neither team sweeps the other  If Michigan sweeps Illinois we could have a 2 possibly 3 game lead over everybody else.  The remainder of our schedule is manageable with Wisky at Wisky our toughest remaining series and Purdue at home to close out...If Michigan wins the Big Ten , with their history of hosting I am very confident we will host as a #2...worst case scenario we go to Louisville as #2..(which I think we can win)...all in all not bad for a "rebuilding" year...

 

MGoSoftball

April 25th, 2012 at 1:30 PM ^

does not have the detailed following as Football, Basketball and Hockey has.  There are many different people following the brackets very closely.

In softball, we have to look at who is likely to be a #1 and then go from there.  We know there is a need for a D1 host location in the Mid-west.  That would be us, ND and maybe ohio. 

 

Scorekeeper

April 25th, 2012 at 1:34 PM ^

My point is that every year is a rebuilding year.  We always lose at least a few starters. This year is no different, except that we haven't been as successful at the task.

Starting two freshmen pitchers is no excuse.  Often the freshman pitcher/slugger on a team is more skilled than the older players.  And, that is the case for UM. We have a junior pitcher that was our #2 last year but hasn't seen a lot of playing time this year.

Lots of teams have stud freshman pitchers - Florida, Alabama, Washington - last year, Louisiana Lafeyette this year.  Our freshman pitchers aren't quite at that level this year, but frankly it is the offense that is killing us.  

As to our likely seeding in the regionals - I'd say #2 in a regional.  That draws from the 17th - 32nd place team.  We should go in with some attitude - frustrated that we're #2.

There's not a lot of pressure on the team.  Lots of times we're ranked something like #4 and there is whispering that UM isn't really that strong; the Big10 is a weak softball conference; we're overrated, etc.  This time we can be on the other side of the argument and show folks that we're better than our record shows.

 

MGoSoftball

April 25th, 2012 at 1:48 PM ^

good points here.  I think we all have a different definition of re-building.  I define re-building as a team coming into the season with lowered expectations than the previous season.

I agree that freshmen pitchers by themselves do not constitute "re-building"; however, those teams have increased their offensive power not decreased it.

We came out of the gates very slow, just as I expected.  Now we are in mid-season form.  I always expected us to win the B1G Title.  So now is the time to get hot.  We will probably not get back to a #1 seed but we could host as a #2 and kick some ass.