National Championship predictions

Submitted by ThadMattasagoblin on

I think Coach Hutch will start Wagner tonight and bring Betsa in if Wagner starts to get hit around. This allows Aidan Falk to bat instead of Wagner which adds more pop to the lineup. We win game one 5-3 and come back tomorrow to eke out a 2-1 nailbiter to bring home the trophy. The Wolverines start next year's polls as the unanimous # 1 with us bringing back romo, Lawrence, Christner, Susalla, and Betsa among others.

pendingperil

June 1st, 2015 at 3:44 PM ^

Sounds like we were competitive in the first two games against Florida, just couldn't hold on at the end.  First game lost in the final inning on a Florida walk off HR.  Second game led early 4-0, then Florida scored 7 unanswered.  Hopefully those games left a huge chip on their shoulders.

Hail85

June 1st, 2015 at 3:51 PM ^

Game 1 was the first game of the year and the other was nearly three months ago.  Since then they've beaten 9. Baylor, 14. Minnesota twice, 19. California, 14. Georgia twice, 5. Alabama, 7. UCLA, and 8. LSU.  Granted, those teams are not Florida but they won convincingly in all of them.  They've won what, 28 in a row now?  If they're not primed to take down Florida after that run then you just have to tip your cap to the Gators.  It seems like the tournament really did yield the top two teams.  Here's to a great series and another national title for Hutch!

justingoblue

June 1st, 2015 at 6:00 PM ^

I was at the first game and I definitely see a lot of progress with this team. Blanco looked like a project hitter at that point, Betsa started the second game later that night and got pulled against an inferior USF team, and Christner has had a metoritic rise since then. A crazy ending kept it 3-2 in their favor, and Haeger didn't throw, but I'm still optimistic that tonight will have an obviously improved result.

I didn't get to see or watch the second game, but like you say there's been a lot of softball since.

MGoBrewMom

June 1st, 2015 at 4:10 PM ^

and the wheels just came off. It was not pretty. But since then, I think they have done so much to solidify their confidence--and confidence even in the face of adversity within a game. Florida is the team that has made me the most nervous, but this team does not seem nervous. So, thankfully they're the one's playing and Hutch will have them prepared!

GO BLUE!

Hail85

June 1st, 2015 at 3:54 PM ^

I'm just glad Romero didn't get hurt by that LSU gal sliding outside of the baseline to break up the throw to first.  Hopefully it pissed her off enough to hit about five dingers against Florida! 

charblue.

June 1st, 2015 at 3:56 PM ^

I don't care about the outcomes of the previous games with Florida, Michigan is playing at a different level and its performance in this tourament since the opener has only strengthened that belief. Look, you know the lineup is strong top to bottom. But what separates this team from its competitors is that nothing will stand in its way. 

Look, the only issue at this point is failure to execute and communicate as a champion needs to. We've already seen the resiliency, the inherent belief in their capacity to suceed no matter what. When you are good, know that only your poor effort can beat you, and that you are at the top of your game, you enter with all the confidence that you need to succeed. That is the way I feel about this team.  

 

 

South Bend Wolverine

June 1st, 2015 at 4:01 PM ^

There were two teams in the WCWS that I really didn't want to have to deal with - Florida and Oregon.  Oregon was taken care of, happily, by others, so we didn't have to worry about that.  Now we get to face the other one.

The thing that worried me about these teams is that they (Florida especially) are the only ones who have a pitcher who I really think can battle with our hitters for 7 innings.  Everyone else we've faced in recent months can maybe hold us down for one trip through the line-up, but then on the 2nd time through, we make adjustments & blow the doors off.  Haeger, I fear, might be able to make adjustments right with us and, at the very least, keep the Gators within striking distance.

I hate making predictions because superstition, but here's what I'll say.  No matter what happens in the first 2 innings tonight, don't panic.  Wait 'til our line-up gets through twice, and then evaluate.  If we start getting to Haeger on the 2nd and 3rd trips through, then even if we can't get the W in our 1st try, I'll believe we have a very real chance to get the job done.  If Haeger keeps us off balance all game, though, it will be time to worry, and Wagner & Betsa will need to play their best softball of their careers to keep us in it.

No matter what, this team has made us all tremendously proud this season.  I just hope they get the ending they deserve!  I'm already feeling sick to my stomach from the tension... Let's go Blue!

Big_H

June 1st, 2015 at 4:02 PM ^

I think this one goes to 3 games. We win it all if we win the first one. Lose if we have to try to take 2 in a row.

 

Who will pitch along side of Betsa next year?

MGoBrewMom

June 1st, 2015 at 4:04 PM ^

Dez? McGary? Harbaugh? Probably too many recruits for JH to make it...but I'm wondering who we'll see on the sidelines at these games...

I don't make game predictions...too worried to ever try to guess (at least outloud guess).

GO BLUE!! Love these girls, and I hope they keep having fun!

leu2500

June 1st, 2015 at 4:09 PM ^

That reveals that the team uses a tool called the lobster to help improve hitting. Maybe the tigers can borrow it; sure wouldn't hurt.

RobM_24

June 1st, 2015 at 4:20 PM ^

I saw the Florida pitcher was the only player to win 70 games and hit 70 homers. The softball equivalent of Babe Ruth. She seems to be quite the player.

Tuebor

June 1st, 2015 at 4:41 PM ^

Florida in 2 games.  Lauren Haeger is on a mission from God, as Elwood Blues would say. 

 

I'd love to be wrong though.

bronxblue

June 1st, 2015 at 4:46 PM ^

It's going to be close, obviously, but Michigan has been able to handle the rest of the SEC, and while Florida is a step above the likes of Alabama and LSU, it's not like they are light-years better.  It'll proabbly go 3, but UM is playing amazing ball right now and can just grind down you as a pitcher.  I'm predicting some late-inning heroics in at least one of these games for the good gals, and UM wins its second title.

jlove

June 1st, 2015 at 4:58 PM ^

Am I the only one not impressed with Florida's pitcher? She gave up like 12 or 13 hits to Auburn. I'm sorry but if she gives up 12 hits to Michigan, then Florida won't win