Michigan Softball Explodes in Opener
The Michigan Women's Softball team had a wonderful opening day yesterday by claiming 2 wins. The Wolverines won the first game against Southern Illinois 19-5 in a 5 inning mercy rule victory. Senior Jordan Taylor was in the circle for the Wolverines for her first win of the season. She struck out six batters and allowing five hits -- all in the third inning -- and two earned runs. The Michigan offense exploded for 19 runs off of 19 hits led by sophomore second baseman Ashley Lane's three hits.
In the second game against host Houston, Sophomore RHP Stephanie Speierman made just her fourth collegiate start, allowing three hits and striking out three through four innings of work.Senior firstbaseman Dorian Shaw hit a three run homer in the third inning to lead the #11 ranked Wolverines.
We play again today at 10am EST against the Ohio Bobcats, and then against Stephen F. Austin in the second game at Noon EST in Houston.
We have a dominating team this year and should make it past the super regional this year. I think Hutch has the right mix again. So GO BLUE!!
http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/021211aaa.html
February 12th, 2011 at 9:13 AM ^
Rock on!
February 12th, 2011 at 9:26 AM ^
With Beavis and Butthead coming back this summer this should somehow make its way into the first episode.
February 12th, 2011 at 9:15 AM ^
is every bit as incredible as Red is. And that's coming from somebody that swears by Red Berenson. I almost wonder what she would be doing if she had gone and coached at some powerhouse out West, with all the talent in her backyard. Luckily, that's something we never have to worry about, because (despite being a State grad), she LOVES Michigan. Which is probably part of why she's so successful here. Anybody that doesn't know her should become familiar with her (her bio: http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/mtt/hutchins_carol00.html) and you can go digging around the multimedia section and listen to some of her interviews, which are awesome, awesome, awesome. In the latest one, Karsch talks to her about her longevity and asks if she's still enjoying it and she just says straight out that there is absolutely NOTHING she would rather be doing than coaching MICHIGAN softball. If you go through enough, you'll also see that she makes every incoming freshman write an essay about her uniform number and somebody that wore it before to help them understand what wearing the block "M" means. And she is one HECK of a coach!!
February 12th, 2011 at 9:35 AM ^
I tried to edit my post w/this, but got an access denied page. Anyway - Good call on the Bio. I especially liked the essay required of incoming freshmen. That's a great way to give them a little perspective into the quality and character of people that have built this program. I also came across this picture. Bo, in a track suit. It says it's from April 29th, 1989; Bo's AD days.
February 12th, 2011 at 9:29 AM ^
I wish they were up here today its going to be perfect here with the high around 70. I would love to see the girls play. It looks like they have another really good team.
February 12th, 2011 at 9:34 AM ^
I thought you meant a softball exploded after one of our girls hit it.
February 12th, 2011 at 9:47 AM ^
Dorian Shaw can swing a mean bat and I would not be suprised if that happened.
February 12th, 2011 at 12:16 PM ^
The "livelier ball" could have finally made it to softball, or Northrup-Grumman is making sporting equipment for some reason.
February 12th, 2011 at 9:42 AM ^
...Wolverines' offensive explosion.
In the SIU game:
- Amanda Chidester 2nd-inning 3 run HR
- Ashley Lane 3rd-inning grand slam
- Alycia Ryan 4th-inning solo shot
In the Houston game:
- Dorian Shaw 3rd-inning 3 run HR
- Ashley Lane 6th-inning 2 run HR
Quite an impressive opening day.
February 12th, 2011 at 9:49 AM ^
are going to be fun to watch this year. I am sooo looking forward to this season. Jordan can really bring it too. I am predicting a world series final appearance this year. This might be a bold prediction but I can feel it.
February 12th, 2011 at 12:49 PM ^
Michigan has a bondafide ace pitching for them. You really need one great pitcher if you want to win it all.
Last year was supposed to be Michigan's year since they have two aces on the team and one of the better offense in the country. They ran into Tennessee buzzsaw and got shut down.
February 12th, 2011 at 11:12 AM ^
she's a matchup nightmare for the pitchers. So much power and she is capable of hitting 20-25 HRs this season.
February 12th, 2011 at 12:43 PM ^
Did they not lose to Tennessee in the Ann Arbor super regional ?
February 12th, 2011 at 1:31 PM ^
Off to a great start today, as well. Taylor through 8 strikeouts and gave up just 2 hits as we took down Ohio 6-0. Now we're up 3-0 on Stephen F. Austin, with 2 on, no outs in the 4th.
February 12th, 2011 at 2:14 PM ^
showing why we recruited her! Through 5, she has 6 strike outs, while allowing only one hit and giving up only one walk. Not the greatest competition, but she has struggled at times, even when facing not great teams (especially with her walks), so it's good to see her get going a little bit. Good for her!
EDIT: And as I type this, another sophomore steps up big. Ashley Lane, listed at 5 feet 4 inches by MGoBlue, with the grand slam. She has more homers than Dorian, so far!! Michigan up 8-0. Top of the 6th, no outs.
February 12th, 2011 at 2:15 PM ^
We're definitely going to need her this year with Nemitz gone, so it's very encouraging to see her getting some good innings in here in the early going. She might only have to go 6 today, though. A Lane grand slam, followed up by a Kirkpatrick single, chased SFA's pitcher & gave us an 8-run lead - mercy-rule zone.
February 12th, 2011 at 2:11 PM ^
is far too difficult to type twice. Thus, I did not double-post, the laws of nature do not allow it.
February 12th, 2011 at 3:30 PM ^
Hutch was the first one to win a National Title east of the Mississippi, says it all.
February 12th, 2011 at 4:09 PM ^
At some point last year, I made the comment that Hutch is the Bo of softball. Someone on here rightly corrected be in saying that Bo, with all due respect, was the Hutch of football. When she came here, she had virtually no resources whatsoever at her disposal, and by sheer force of will has turned Michigan into a perennial national powerhouse. I'd say that it's a toss-up between her & Red for best coaches at Michigan in recent memory.
February 13th, 2011 at 12:48 PM ^
Here's are some pictures of the softball team in Houston where they had a meet and greet with fans after the games on Saturday:
http://houston.umclubs.com/index.php?page=u-m-softball-team-visit
Hutch gave a brief talk and the team handed out posters and signed autographs.