Michigan SB overcomes slow start, beats Eastern 9-7
The Michigan softball team had a slow start today against EMU at Alumni Field. Gametime temperature is 50 degrees under cloudy and rainy skies over Ann Arbor.
Eastern put a mini-rally together in the first and second innings against Hilary Payne. This is Hilary's second start of the season and only has appeared in 6 games with 17 innings pitched. Michigan had bases loaded in the bottom of the first innings but could not get the key hit. It wasnt until the bottom of the second, with Eastern leading 2-0, for the girls to get it together. EMU kept the pressure on with a 3 run home run off Maj. Payne in the 5th inning
We scored 5 runs in the bottom of the second inning on a 3 run home run by Chiddy. Ashley Lane hit a 2 run home run in the 4th inning for an 8-2 lead. Chiddy ended the game 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored. Ashley was 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs and a run scored. Bree Evans ended with 2 for 3 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored.
Hilary Payne picked up the victory. She pitched 5 complete innings and gave up 4 ER off 7 hits while striking out 2 and walking none. She gave up one bomb in the 5th inning. Stehpanie Speierman came in to pitch in the 6th and 7th inning. Spidey ended with 2 ER on 3 hits, with 2 Ks and 1 BB.
Hutch did an awesome job today by allowing Payne the oppourtunity to start and then by allowing her to work through her problems. It wasnt a pretty win but it was a win nonetheless.
We play a DH against tosu tomorrow at home.
Keep it up ladies!
especially when its Payne on the rubber. This is a huge confidence boost for Hilary.
Thanks for the update!
welcome good sir.
We have sure mastered the art of barely winning our games! :) Not nearly as much brutal run-ruling as we had last year, but it is darned tough to argue with a 45-4 record. Keep on rolling!
How the hell are you? I agree with your assessment. However, as a coach I always prefer a 4-2 game over a 9-1 game. It keeps the girls on their toes.
Almost home free - last couple days of work coming up, so it'll be a little crazy, but then I'll get some rest.
I agree on the keeping focus thing. I kinda wonder if blowing through the B10 schedule so easily last year was part of why we didn't really seem prepared when Tennessee came to town. Hopefully the fact that we've had to battle through the B10 season will have us more prepared & hardened when the playoffs come along.