M Softball is unstopable, now 13-0

Submitted by MGoSoftball on

The Michigan Wolverine Softball team continued their domination today as they spanked the University if Missouri-Kansas City Kangaroos by a score of 4 to 1.

Jordan Taylor was the winning pitcher today by allowing 1 earned run, off 2 hits, while striking out 6 and walking only 1.  The Roos were out-classed in just about every category.

The offense was led by my pre-season All-American selection Ashley Lane.  She went 1 for 2 with 1 walk and 3 RBIs.  Her only hit was a MGo Monster Jam to left center field.  She leads the team in home runs with 7 and RBIs with 20.

Dorian Shaw got into the action going 1 for 2 with 1 RBI and 1 walk and scoring 1 run.  She leads the team in batting average with .457 and is second on the team with 6 dingers and 18 hit 'em Ins.

Hutch did a good job today by getting in some of the younger players.  The defense played well too with 0 errors.  The Wolverines play again tonight at 8pm against Villinova.  This should be a good game.

 

WolverineBlue

February 26th, 2011 at 7:01 PM ^

So you mention that Ashley Lane was your pre-season All-American selection.

On paper, she is a 5'4" sophomore second baseman who, in limited action last year, batted .133 with no home runs. Now she is tearing it up and leading the team with 7 homers! Where is that coming from? A little insight on Ashley, MGoSoftball, if you please.

MGoSoftball

February 26th, 2011 at 8:29 PM ^

ok.  So I will explain my little secret here. I have never met Ashley nor do I have any insight from a "friend" or "rumors" about her.  My evaluation of Ashley is strictly from being a fan and my own experiences with college aged girls. 

Everyone has to remember that Softball IS NOT baseball.  Most of us have played the game for years in our youth.  We know that game inside and out.  However, most of us do not know the game of softball.  It is a completely different game.  I have seen coaches who are tremendously successful in baseball then fall flat in softball and vica versa.

Ashley only started in 4 games last year.  That is not a lot of starts to have good stats. In softball it is critical to take hacks every day.  Also, she was a freshman.  Imagine how intimidated you would be to come into Michigan, fresh off a world series win.  She is from California so that is a long distance for a 18 year old girl. She probably has NEVER experienced a snow day, and probably ran over a curb on the first snowfall.  Think about it, how nervous would you be?

Factor all this up and you have a nervous, shaky and unpredictable player.  I know she was all-world everything in her senior year of HS but nothing compares to D1, let alone Michigan. 

The key statistic for her in 2010 was the 2 BB and 12 Ks.  There are only 2 explainations for this.  Either its a mental thing, or she cant see the ball.  From what I can tell, it is the former because players dont just stop seeing the ball unless there is an injury.  So, she takes extra BP, stays away from the party scene, and knuckles down.

Fast forward to this year.  She has a year of classes under her belt.  She is settled in just fine.  She attended her first  football game at the Big House.   So she works out all of the off season and she is enrolled in the School of Kinesiology, so she is smart as a whip.

Hutch knows that Bree is the prototype lead off hitter, Shaw is perfect in the number 3 slot and Chidester is a lock for clean up.  So where do you put Ashley?  #2 slot?  No.  In this lineup she is perfect for the #5 spot.  This is the hitters spot because pitchers will normally pitch to you instead of around you.  She is getting great pitches to hit.  

Now this is why I think Hutch is under-rated.  Most teams play games ALL YEAR ROUND.  We get stuck inside with a pitching machine, with indoor lighting.  With all of the distractions, Hutch still pulls it off.  Not many could.

brendandavis22

February 26th, 2011 at 7:44 PM ^

Where did Ashley Lane come from?! Talk about an off season.  My question was along the lines of records.  Correct me if I'm wrong but Sam Findley holds the single season HR record with something like 20 right?  Seems like Ashley might beat that.  Updates are awesome, keep it up.