Michigan Softball take two more today
The Michigan Softball team looks like they are in mid-season form taking 2 more games today at the Houston Invitational. They beat the Ohio Bobcats in the first game 6 - 0. Senior Jordan Taylor was in the circle for the first game. She took a perfect game into the 6th inning before giving up a couple of singles. She finished up with a complete game shut out. It was the 31st of her career. She has 8 Ks and 0 BB. Going long was Junior Amanda Chidester and freshman Caitlin Blanchard
In the second game, Sophmore Stephanie Speierman pitched just as well as Jordan. She had 8 Ks, 2 BB and gave up 3 hits for an 8 to 1 win. Sophomore second baseman Ashley Lane punched out her second grand slam of the weekend in the 6th inning of the SFA game.
It looks like Stephanie is a great #2 to Jordan. We should be in great shape. Also it seems like the youngsters are hitting the ball well to help out Shaw. Wwe have power for both pitchers and great bats up and down the lineup.
February 12th, 2011 at 6:06 PM ^
Really excited for this softball season, and can't wait for the home games to begin as there is always such a great atmosphere at the games. Hopefully we can win our fourth straight Big Ten Title and make a deep run into the WCWS.
February 12th, 2011 at 6:09 PM ^
the young kid Speierman can really throw heat so I am getting really excited. I know Taylor and Shaw will make First-Team All-American, but its nice to see the younger players step up. Lane is my sleeper pick to make All conference.
February 12th, 2011 at 6:18 PM ^
Hutch was not happy yesterday with the 8 runs given up to two very mediocre teams (S. Illinois and Houston). Shut outs and no earned runs are what she expects, especially from Taylor, on the watch list for National Player of the Year (with Dorian Shaw).
February 12th, 2011 at 6:30 PM ^
VERY surprised to see JT give up 4 runs. She doesn't normally do that against good teams, much less less-than-awesome teams. 2 were unearned, but still...Luckily, it looks like it was just a case of first game jitters and she'll be her normal incredible self the rest of the season.
February 12th, 2011 at 6:43 PM ^
...was vs. Stephen F. Austin, BTW. Thanks for putting up the summaries. What a great start to the season this weekend has been so far. Michigan can cap off the Houston Invitational with a victory tomorrow vs. SIU at 8 am ET/9 am CT.
Boxscores: Ohio | Stephen F. Austin
February 12th, 2011 at 6:41 PM ^
Does softball traditionally get this much love on MGoBlog? Or is it because they're playing in some posters backyards down in Houston now?
Just curious, it's nice to see some of the love for non football/hockey/basketball sports.
February 12th, 2011 at 6:44 PM ^
...does get coverage and attention here, although typically it's not until regionals time.
February 12th, 2011 at 6:47 PM ^
Thanks.I figured it was more along those lines.
The more the better though, the news with softball is good an awful lot of the time.
February 12th, 2011 at 7:50 PM ^
Thank God!
February 12th, 2011 at 9:00 PM ^
softball, especially M Softball. I have former players that play for M Dearborn. Even though it is not D1/Big Ten level, I follow them too.
I have high hope for M softball. JT is a much better pitcher, and Speierman is really showing some maturity. I realize that we have not played any serious competition yet, but the future looks bright. I will try to update the MGoBlog crew as often as possible on M Softball. This might be another NC year.
Spring is here. I thought I heard someone say the 4 words that men love to hear on Valentines Day.............."Pitchers and catcher report"
February 12th, 2011 at 10:19 PM ^
February 13th, 2011 at 1:11 AM ^
Glad to see the love for softball here on MGoBlog! I think we should try to keep putting up MGoBoard updates throughout the year as new (esp. favorable) results come in. This team is reminding me a bit of the 07-08 hockey team. Lots of great players just graduated, but the upperclassmen took the helm & the new recruits stepped up in a big way, leading to a great season.
February 13th, 2011 at 12:47 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.