Sara Driesenga has played softball since she was very young. She has been a pitcher for almost that long. She has known she wanted to be a Wolverine probably since birth. So Sara finally gets her chance to play for her dream school for her dream coach and do you think she was nervous? If you guessed yes you would be correct.
Sara was the starting pitcher for UM in the first game of the 2012 campaign against La Tech at the LSU Tournament. Sara started a little slow today but she finished very strong. She walked the first 3 batters then settled in just fine. She got the #4 batter to ground into a fielder’s choice and the #5 batter to hit a fly ball to RF. La Tech tried to score the runner from third but Lindsay Doyle was having none of that and threw a strike to Lauren Sweet to get the runner at the plate for out number 3.
Sara settled down the remainder of the game and held the Bulldogs in check. She surrendered two runs on two hits, and stranding 5 runners. Sara gave up 3 BB while striking out none. Haylie Wagner came in the game in the 5th inning to pitch the final three innings. She gave up 4 runs off 4 hits with no walks and 3 strikeouts. We won the game by a close score of 7-6.
But it gets better, oh so much better. So much better because we have not seen the likes of Sara in a good little while…A Pitcher that Bats for herself. That’s right, I said it. A Pitcher who actually bats. Sara got a single in her first D1 at bat. That fact alone will make any parent proud but to pitch so well and get a hit in her first at bat has got to make the Driesenga Family Proud. Hell the entire town of Hudsonville Mi. is proud of her. Congrats to you Sara for making us all proud and congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Driesenga as we share in the immense pride you feel for you daughter. See my Hello posts for more background
mgoblog.com/mgoboard/hello-sara-driesenga-softball
http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/hello-haylie-wagner-softball
The offense was a basic team effort as everyone in the line-up participated; however, it was Sara that had the hot bat. She went 2 for 4 with an RBI. Lindsay Doyle went 2 for 4 with a run scored. Taylor Hasselbach hit a 2 run tater as well.
It was nice to see Stephanie Kirkpatrick back in perfect form. She injured her knee after 10 games last year. That forced Coach Hutch to juggle the line-up significantly. Now that Stephanie is back, Colie looked good and some new faces in the line-up, UM softball is back. Coach Hutch is wasting no time to get the Freshman in mid-season form early.
Lauren Sweet did a wonderful job behind the dish tonight. She was a force at the plate too. Good job Lauren. The 3 musketeers (freshmen) have all contributed on their very first D1 ballgame. Awesome job on the attempted sac fly too Lauren. Thanks so much for picking us. We all look forward to watching you grow as a player and a person.
Welcome to the family ladies. You both have made us very proud. It is not if you win but how much effort to put in. You give your maize blood, sweat and tears, it will be noticed by the MGo Family.
We are very proud of you all. Congratulations to Sara and Haylie and their parents. Great game too.
Mgosoftball, thanks for your professionalism. Your love of the game is obvious and I hope to catch a game or two this year. You have made this game interesting for me. Keep up the good work.