HUGE Michigan Softball news: Driesenga granted medical redshirt

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

Pitcher Sara Driesenga, who suffered a rib injury in the early season and only played in a handful of games, has been granted a medical redshirt and will come back for a 5th year!

This gives Michigan a 4-pitcher staff. They'll have every class represented with 5th year Driesenga, B1G Pitcher of the Year Megan Betsa who'll be a Junior, Tera Blanco who was recruited as a star pitcher as a Sophomore and incoming freshman Leah Crockett.

Team 39 might be better than Team 38. And if that's the case, we're gonna be a very happy bunch.

Here's what she posted on instagram-

I am beyond excited to officially announce that I will be returning to play for my 5th year at the University of Michigan! I believe everything happens for a reason and I am so grateful to have this opportunity to be a part of Team 39 while pursuing my MSW. I cannot wait to be back out on the field representing the best university in the country with my sisters!

WolvinLA2

July 3rd, 2015 at 12:13 PM ^

That's huge news. Replacing Wagner was going to be a real challenge with this team, and neither Blanco nor the incoming frosh were likely to do it (next season). Having Driesenga back is huge because it allows the two younger pitchers to continue developing without being relied on for huge innings and it gives the team a solid second starter. Also, Driesenga swings a good bat, so that's a bonus as well.

I agree with you that 2016 could be better than 2015. Which is crazy.

MGoBender

July 3rd, 2015 at 2:14 PM ^

Good news.  Though, I heard some scuttlebutt that there was a school of thought that Dreis not coming back might also be good because it would free up a ton of scholly money.  

Sure it's nice to have a 4-women pitching rotation, but it's probably better to have a 3-person rotation plus another quality bat.

I don't know that I bought into that argument, but I see the logic behind it.

snowcrash

July 4th, 2015 at 3:01 PM ^

Assuming that Driesenga is healthy, a proven starting pitcher is far more valuable than any incoming freshman is likely to be especially considering that M has 10 proven good hitters coming back (the 8 starters + Vargas and Swearingen).

I would think the rotation will start out as just Betsa and Driesenga, with Blanco and Crockett doing mop-up work so they can get used to facing college hitters.

Sidepaluofm

July 3rd, 2015 at 12:24 PM ^

I am continuinely impressed with how classy our softball team is. They are humble, grateful and represent us well. Maybe there is less ego and more team focus in female sports. 

South Bend Wolverine

July 3rd, 2015 at 1:00 PM ^

Fan-TASTIC news!  This resolves the biggest question heading into 2016, which was the issue of a second big-inning pitcher behind Betsa.  Now Blanco & Crockett can get their innings in without having the pressure of carrying the whole load, and they can develop at whatever rate turns out to be comfortable, rather than just being lobbed into the fire.

The only remaining question now is catcher.  I think the two prime candidates are Aidan Falk, who caught while Sweet was out this past year, and Alex Sobczak, an incoming freshman catcher who has been dominating against Michigan HS pitching of late.  I could see that going either way, depending on how quickly Sobczak catches up to the college game (Michigan HS softball isn't the stiffest of competition for elite players).

Either way, I think the cream will rise to the top in this position battle - one of these two players will end up being a solid defensive catcher who can also put up numbers at the dish.  She might not be Lauren Sweet, but could come pretty close.  Apart from that, the entire rest of the offense & defense is back.  2016 is going to be serious fun.

South Bend Wolverine

July 3rd, 2015 at 2:08 PM ^

That's a good question - probably depends on a few factors in terms of her development as a pitcher & how the catcher situation works out.  If things develop on what I would consider the "ideal" trajectory, Sobczak wins the catcher job from the get-go, like Sweet did, and we establish great continuity at that position going forward.  Blanco, meanwhile, develops as a pitcher & focuses there rather than at 1st base, but continues to swing a good bat.  She could then move to the DP role in games where she isn't pitching, like Haeger did for Florida.  Aidan Falk, who mostly DP'ed this past year, is listed on the roster as 1B/OF, so she could then become the 1st baseman.

If things go differently, like Blanco doesn't develop as a pitcher the way we want or if Sobczak isn't ready to take over the catcher role right away, things could get shuffled around.  Blanco might stay at 1B, or one of the freshman could take the job (Faith Canfield, a utility player from California, might be a candidate).  Amanda Vargas could also be a name to keep an eye on in the infield - a rising sophomore, she played well in limited opportunities as a freshman, and could push for more playing time going forward.  Taylor Swearingen is also in a similar situation - she's listed as 1B/3B, but for some reason I thought she was an OF (she has the build for the outfield for sure).

In short, there are lots of good options, which is really encouraging.  Hutch will probably tinker a lot during the non-conf before settling on a line-up, and talent will have a great chance to rise to the top.

South Bend Wolverine

July 3rd, 2015 at 2:16 PM ^

I'll make a start at this with a proposed way-too-early line-up:

1 - Sierra Lawrence, OF

2 - Sierra Romero, 2B/SS

3 - Kelly Christner, OF

4 - Kelsey Susalla, OF

5 - Aidan Falk, 1B

6 - Tera Blanco, DP

7 - Alex Sobczak, C

8 - Lindsey Montemarano, 3B

9 - Abby Ramirez, 2B/SS

P - Betsa/Driesenga/Blanco/Crockett (in order of priority)

Monte & Sobczak are by far the most vulnerable in that line-up, being pushed by Swearingen & Vargas.  Monte will probably have to lift her game some.  Her on-base improved greatly as she became very disciplined this past year & drew a lot of walks, using her small frame to her advantage.  I think Romero will stay high in the order to take advantage of her ridiculous OBP, especially with all the power that's coming right after her.  I could see Abby Ramirez moving into the lead-off spot, and everyone else moving down one, after how well she did last year, but I really like her in the 9-spot, flying a little under the radar & turning over the order.

 

South Bend Wolverine

July 3rd, 2015 at 3:40 PM ^

Yes, this is firmly in "good problems to have" territory for us here!  I agree that Monte will be the hardest-pressed of the returning players to retain her spot in the order.  She became a reliable on-base player last year, but she doesn't have the game-breaking potential that most of the rest of the line-up has.  Swearingen does have the kind of power, so if she shows she can do it consistently & against the best teams, she could give Monte a real run for her money.  She's probably the one pushing from behind that I'm the most excited about, although that's just my perception - it's great players all around, for sure, and any of them could easily grab a spot.

The great thing is that everyone knows that nothing is guaranteed.  If you don't work hard, someone else *will* take it, and you'll move down or out.  That'll keep everyone motivated to get better every day, which is all that Hutch ever wanted anyhow - another chance to get better. :)

Wolvie3758

July 3rd, 2015 at 2:02 PM ^

If she can get back to her earlier form in her career we are goiung to be awfully hard to beat..I hope this team stays hungry getting sooooooo close to a NC....in 2014 we made it to game 3 of the Super Regionals and came back this year to make it to game 3 of the National Championship...Lets hope we make the next progression...I cant wait for Softball to start again!

 

GO BLUE

pearlw

July 3rd, 2015 at 2:33 PM ^

Pitching rotation will be very interesting to watch. Blanco was the most high profile recruit of all those pitchers...and reality is most hotshot pitchers come in and start right away as freshman. Blanco was probably okay to come in knowing that two strong pitchers would be gone after her freshman year...but may not be thrilled with another surprise logjam of pitchers in her second year due to the medical redshirt.




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1975Blue

July 3rd, 2015 at 8:04 PM ^

As a sophomore, Driesenga carried the team on her back down the stretch to make the WCWS.  Hopefully, she can regain that form.   Great that she is coming back. 

Blanco did not pitch at all the last half of this past season.  She had some innings early on, but did not look dominant.  Will be interesting to see how much Blanco pitches this coming year.

Also, hope that Swearingen and Vargas both get a chance for some more playing time as sophomores.  I would expect that they both would be starters on most BIG teams.