Michigan Softball notes (Opening day tomorrow! Woooo!)

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

Carol Hutchins this morning on WTKA-

  • Megan Betsa is working through a little bit of an injury.......Hutch thinks she'll be just fine and expects her to play this weekend but she could be on a limited basis.
     
  • Sara Driesenga makes her return this weekend in the circle for the first time in almost a year since an injury early on in the season caused her to miss the remainder of the 2015 season. She only played in 4 games last year and was granted a medical redshirt. 
     
  • Freshman Alex Sobczak will be the starting catcher in the season opener, but we'll likely see her split time behind the plate with freshman Katie Alexander who was called a pleasant surprise and Aidan Falk who stepped in for a couple weeks when Sweet got hurt last year for a bit.

    Regardless of the brief period last year, it's gonna be weird not seeing #25 behind the plate for Michigan. The last time that wasn't the case for virtually the entire season was when Jordan Taylor was still here.
     
  • When asked, Hutch said the freshman most prepared to compete immediately in the batting order and on the field is Faith Canfield, a utility player. Hutch said "I do expect we're gonna have a hard time keeping her off the field". 
     
  • Hutch said she thinks Canfield will wind up at 1B. However, she said first baseman depends on who is in the circle for the Wolverines. When Tera Blanco is not pitching, she'll spend most of the time at 1B. Hutch said she expects her to spend a lot more time pitching than at 1B this year, though.

#2 Michigan opens the season tomorrow with an early doubleheader in the USF Wilson-Demarini Tournament down in Tampa. They'll face South Carolina at 9:30am and then Illinois State at 11:45am. 

Wolverine Devotee

February 11th, 2016 at 11:04 PM ^

None this weekend, but next weekend ESPN3 will be picking up Michigan's games against FSU down at their place in the B1G/ACC Challenge.

Then the following week at the Mary Nutter, FloSoftball will be streaming the entire tournament for free. We're gonna get to see the long-awaited Romero vs Romero matchup when Michigan plays Oklahoma. 

WestsideWolverine

February 11th, 2016 at 11:55 PM ^

position looking a lot like QB for Football 2016. If we get above average to good production from that spot that could be the difference. BTW I think softball might be me third favorite sport to watch UM play. We are always good and honestly is 10X more exciting then any pro or college baseball game.

South Bend Wolverine

February 12th, 2016 at 12:16 AM ^

So psyched to see this season get underway.  I've been waiting for this moment ever since the end of last season.  All the practice, all the prognostication, all the expectation - it's all in the past now.  It's time to compete.  It's time to see what this team has in store for us.

Kevin13

February 12th, 2016 at 9:12 AM ^

Is huge. Megan will be the work horse, but having a pitcher of Sara's caliber and experience is a big bonus. This will give them time to get Tera some pitching experience in non pressure situation so next season she can be a #2 and solidify the rotation. 

 

I will be keeping track of their games today.

Alton

February 12th, 2016 at 9:32 AM ^

The game is starting now; here is Michigan's starting lineup.

Sierra Lawrence-CF

Sierra Romero-2B

Kelly Christner-LF

Kelsey Susalla-RF

Aidan Falk-DH

Lindsay Montemarano-3B

Tera Blanco-1B

Alex Sobczak-C

Abby Ramirez-SS

(Megan Betsa-P)

South Carolina was about #30 or #35 in the nation last year by RPI.  A tough opener, and one of those games that is much more important to Michigan than to their opponent because of the disparity in conference strength.

justingoblue

February 12th, 2016 at 11:02 AM ^

Betsa slipped on a pitch last inning. She threw two or three more, came out of the dugout for the top of the fourth and came right back. Driesenga in now.

Going by body language it's a back issue.

Alton

February 12th, 2016 at 11:23 AM ^

Hopefully she is just being saved for tomorrow now.  It really looked from the play-by-play, though, like she was struggling all game (only 9 outs on 16 batters faced).  How did it look in person?

With Driesenga in relief here, you have to assume that Blanco will be pitching the nightcap.

South Bend Wolverine

February 12th, 2016 at 12:05 PM ^

Great way to start the season.  Offense absolutely dominant, the long ball parade underway right from the get-go.  We'll see where things go on defense, and esp. we'll have to keep an eye on the Betsa/injury situation.  I really hope this doesn't turn into a sophomore-year Haylie Wagner thing where it dogs her all year - that would be one of the few things that might actually threaten our run to OKC.  Too early to worry about that, though.  For now, I'm just so happy to have softball back on the schedule, and a double-digit run-rule win is a great way to kick things off!