M Softball cruises to another victory, now 14-0
The Michigan Softball team stomped out another good win today by defeating Villinova 7 to 2. Stephanie Speierman got the ball and pitched 5 scoreless innings. However things started to go south for her in the 6th, with the Wolverines leading 4-0
In the 6th, Villinova started off with a walk then a stolen base, then advanced to third on a wild pitch. The batter reached 1st on a dropped third strike. With runners on 1st and 3rd, Villinova hit a single score a run and pushing hte runner to third. Thats when Hutch made a pitching change. Jordan Taylor came in relief. Then a double steal scored another run. JT recoreded a K. So with one out, an error allowed the runner to move to third and first. Then JT settled in and sruck out another batter for the second out and got the third out with a routine grounder to Ashley Lane at second base.
In the bottom half of the 6th, the Wolverines broke it open. Alycia Ryan came off the bench and hit a 3 run Tater. The score was 7-2 at the end of the 6th. Villinova went 3 up and 3 down in the top half of the 7th giving Stephanie the victory and JT got the save.
Stephanie finished the game with 3 ER along with 3 BB and 4 Ks in 5 complete innings. Jordan Taylor picked up the save n 3 innings of work. She struck out 3 with no walks.
Bree Evans went 3 for 4 and scored 3 runs. Amanada Chidester went 2 for 4 with 1 RBI,
We play tomorrow (Sunday) at 11pm against Maine.
February 26th, 2011 at 11:04 PM ^
Since you seem to be an avid follower, is it an accurate perception that the schedule thus far has been rather light on top quality talent as opposed to other recent years. If so, is it more coincidence or a change in scheduling philosophy?
February 27th, 2011 at 12:10 AM ^
in a tourney out west on 17MAR, Arizona, Arizona State, Cal State Fullerton and Notre Dame will be there. That will be the key. I expect we will loose our first game in this tourney.
It is usually good for us to play lighter teams early on, We dont get the option of playing other colleges around here like CMU, EMU, WMU, OU, or WSU because of the climate here in Michigan. There is no substitute for playing real games on real dirt.
February 27th, 2011 at 12:08 AM ^
Do you think the ladies will get to the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton with a perfect 23-0 record. I don't know much about the teams the ladies play between now and that tourney. Are any of them good?
February 27th, 2011 at 10:19 AM ^
That is what I have been predicting. They will win all games to get to 27-0 before tthe Judi Garman Tourney that starts 17MAR in Fullerton California. Then we start the Bug10 schedule where we will loose only 1-2 games against osu or Illinois. Louisville might put a scare into us on 13MAR but I doubt we will loose.
JT is a top 3 pitcher. Speierman is slowing building her confidence and mastering her pitches against some decent (but not great) hitting teams thus far. Her BB to K ratio is still out of balance and needs to improve.
Hutch is doing a wonderful job of allowing her to hang in there. Usually Stephanie can get herself out of a jam but when there is a pitcher like JT on the bench, why not guarantee the win.
I am predicting 4 losses for the regular season but lets first win today against Maine.
February 27th, 2011 at 8:31 AM ^
This year's opponents are definitely weaker compared to the past few years.
That's because Hutch lost five starters off the 2010 team and has seven freshmen on the 2011 team. She is also breaking in a new starting pitcher in Stephanie Speierman
Hutch scheduled games against baby seals to build the team's confidence for the start of the 2011 season.
After this season, Hutch will lose All-Americans Jordan Taylor and Dorian Shaw as well as Marley Powers. Replacing two All-Americans will be tough, especially Jordan Taylor so the 2012 schedule could be similar.
2013 may return to a tougher starting schedule as the team will return two experienced starting pitchers and the seven 2011 freshman will be juniors.
February 27th, 2011 at 11:28 AM ^
although next year we will have 2 starting pitchers in Speiermand and Payne. Payne pitched for Loyola where she had a wonderful 6 to 1, K to BB ratio. I would like to see her in a game just ot loosen her up.
EDIT: Payne is the starting pitcher today against Maine.