Michigan Softball beats #13 FSU, 10-3; sweeps series
Michigan did it again.
The Wolverines have swept FSU in Tallahassee for the second straight season. This time in the ACC/B1G Challenge.
Michigan took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Aidan Falk struck up the middle and the FSU SS bobbled the ball.
In the 3rd inning, Michigan scored two runs on two separate FSU bobbled/tipped balls. Then, Sierra Lawrence hit a 3-run blast to put Michigan up 6-0.
In the next inning, Kelsey Susalla homered to put Michigan up 7-0 and making it look like a run rule win was possible. FSU tacked on runs with a two run-homer and eventually causing a pitching change when the score became 7-3.
Freshman catcher Alex Sobczak continues to amaze, as she hit a clutch home run to stop any FSU momentum being built to put the Wolverines up 8-3 in the 5th. Another bouncer gave Susalla another RBI and Michigan another run, making it 9-3.
Michigan would tack on another run in that inning and was a play at the plate away from ending the game in 5 innings as a run scored and the second runner was thrown out at the plate.
No big deal, though. Betsa silenced FSU and Michigan held on to win 10-3.
Michigan collects two wins on the day to improve to 7-1. The Wolverines will face Virginia Tech again tomorrow at 10am in the final game of the Tallahassee leg of the ACC/B1G Challenge.
February 20th, 2016 at 7:46 PM ^
As Good As It Gets.............
February 20th, 2016 at 7:50 PM ^
February 20th, 2016 at 7:52 PM ^
February 20th, 2016 at 7:59 PM ^
This M team is VERY special and your timing is appreciated.............
February 20th, 2016 at 8:22 PM ^
MGoSoftball usually does this thread but hasn't been on today so I had to make sure the team gets their recognition.
February 20th, 2016 at 10:34 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
February 21st, 2016 at 2:08 AM ^
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February 20th, 2016 at 7:53 PM ^
I had a daughter who could throw better than her old man, which is pretty likely, I would want her to play under and learn life lessons from Coach Hutch. You can't do any better for a young person.
February 20th, 2016 at 7:54 PM ^
Nice start to the season except for that Florida game, we'll get them eventually!!!
February 20th, 2016 at 8:50 PM ^
Just checked the national scores today. Here are some interesting results:
Florida squeaked by Elon, 3-1. They are not unbeatable.
Central Michigan upset #10 Arizona, 4-1.
Central Michigan also got destroyed by #9 Washington, 23-0.
#20 James Madison shut down #3 Auburn's high powered offense, winning 3-2. JMU's top two pitchers are unbelievable. They've also shutout Tennessee and UCF, and allowed only two hits against Alabama, dropping that game 2-1 due to errors.
February 20th, 2016 at 9:07 PM ^
February 20th, 2016 at 9:41 PM ^
...is living up to the hype.
February 20th, 2016 at 11:09 PM ^
Got to watch most of this one, was pretty pleased. Pitching is still not dominant - Betsa might not be quite at 100% yet - but they were able to make the big pitches & get the big outs when the situation called for it. The offense was phenomenal, of course. Sobczak is doing a great job at the plate early on, which is great to see. She was one of my question marks before the season, in terms of whether she could carry her weight in the lineup, given that her role as catcher probably locks her into the order. She could be doing a little more in terms of average, but 2 homers already as a freshman is very, very encouraging.
February 21st, 2016 at 12:13 AM ^
Need to limit the free passes but they're getting a lot of experience working out of jams. Sobczak is a baller. One of the best prospects in state history and way underrated nationally as a recruit. Been pretty vocal about that for a while and so far so good. Her throws have been errant at times but that will not be a long term problem. Looks great in warmups and wasn't a full time catcher in high school, so it will come.
For your post below, seems it could go either way between Monty and Canfield. I think the knock on Swearingen taking the spot at third is her fielding ability there compared to Monty. Like her better at first or perhaps in the outfield longterm. That doesn't seem to be the case with Canfield. Saw her play in person last weekend and she is very good. Think there's a good chance this will be cleared up by the end of next week.
Edit: another possiblilty we may see is flexing Monty when Blanco pitches. So Monty could play in the field and not have to hit.
February 21st, 2016 at 1:20 AM ^
Gotta feel a little bad for Swearingen - she'd be in the lineup, easily, for any other B10 team, and lots of others around the nation. Her batting average isn't enough to demand a spot in an order like ours, though, although she does have plenty of pop when she gets ahold of one. That said, she'll have a chance next season, with several seniors leaving open spots that players like her will have a chance to fill.
I had also thought about the possibility of using Blanco in that sort of a role. Of course, she's pretty clearly the #3 pitcher right now, but hopefully she'll get her share of innings going forward. That could also be something to think about next year, when Blanco may take over more responsibility in the circle (although she'll have to hold off Crockett to do so).
I'm looking forward to getting to see Canfield play. Hutch talking her up as someone who'll be hard to keep off the field definitely got my attention!
February 20th, 2016 at 11:11 PM ^
Also, Montemarano is going to need to start getting some hits soon if she wants to hang onto her spot in the order. She's definitely capable, but in a brutal slump early on. A situation to keep an eye on.
February 20th, 2016 at 11:42 PM ^
Minnesota lost to Florida State tonight. They play again tomorrow.
Minnesota has 3 losses already not even two full weeks in. Other two are to Long Beach State and Texas Tech, i.e. not good losses at all.
February 21st, 2016 at 1:08 AM ^
Small correction - Minny's losses are to FSU, Long Beach State, and Washington, not Texas Tech. FSU & Washington are respectable top-20 losses, so they'll weather those ok. Getting housed (13-2 in 5 inn.) by a LBSU team that barely scraped over .500 a year ago, however, is pretty worrying. They didn't throw their ace in that game, but still - yeesh. (We have a couple matchups w/ LBSU coming up - hope we don't get bit for making fun of them. :p )
I'm actually kinda ok w/ Minny losing to FSU. I know I should root for the B10 & all, but we don't play Minny this year (unless we get them in the conf. tourney), and we play FSU twice, so it's better for us overall if those FSU wins look as pretty as possible.
February 21st, 2016 at 9:47 AM ^
The Big Ten has clinched the B1G/ACC Challenge after 2 days: the Big Ten has 17 wins, the ACC has 7 wins, and there are 8 games remaining.