SB Defeats #12 UL-L: 2nd Game UM defeats Illinois State 11-9 in 10 Innings.
The Softball Ball Team; #15 in both polls, defeated a very good #12 U-L Lafayette today in the NFCA Tourney in Clearwater Florida; 3-1 The weather today is mostly sunny and 82F.
Ashley Lane delivered the game winning hit by going long. She knocked in Caitlyn Blanchard, who was on base due to a HBP. Amy Knapp drove in the 3rd run with a line drive to RF and driving in Sierra Lawerence who reached base on an error. We had only 3 hits total but that was enough for the W.
Sara was the winning pitcher by going the distance. She gave up 1 unearned run on 4 hits. She walked 1 and struck out 3.
We took advantage of 2 Ragin-Cajuns errors. It is nice to see the ladies getting key hits and playing good defense. Sara has been lights out thus far this year.
Coach Hutch is still juggling the line up. She has Lauren and Ashley hitting in the 7 and 8 slots. She also has Caitlyn playing 1B and Nicole playing RF. These are interesting moves by Coach. It seems to be paying dividends.
This week's poll has us at #15 for both USA Today and ESPN. The only real difference between the two polls is USA Today has Alabama #1 whereas the ESPN has Oklahoma #1.
2nd GAME TODAY
The team scored 4 runs in the top of the 7th for a 7-4 lead then Illinois State managed to work the bases loaded in the bottom of the 7th and they scored 3 runs to tie the game. It is now in the 8th Inning.
Caitlyn Blanchard drove in 2 runs in the top of the 7th inning in a 4-run inning. She connected on the first pitch while bases were loaded. We led most of the day but Illinois St scored 2 in the bottom of the 6th to take the lead before the 7 inning free-for-all.
Sara is currently 3 for 4 with a run scored and 2 RBIs to help her cause. Caitlyn is going 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs. Ashley Lane is 4 for 4. Nicole is 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Sierra Lawerence is 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Kelsey Susalla is 1 for 4 with an RBI and a Run scored.
UM pulls out the win in the 10th innings on a homer by Sierra Romero with 1 on, 11-9.
February 22nd, 2013 at 2:59 PM ^
That's exactly the kind of quality win it's great to see the team picking up in the non-conf schedule. People just expect us to win a lot in the Big Ten, since we're usually the only (or one of two or three at most) ranked team, so getting these wins early is the best way to prove ourselves. It's especially great to see Sara doing so well, although I certainly hope that Haylie gets back in the circle before too much longer. It looks like, once that happens, we'll be back to having a truly great one-two punch at the pitcher position.
February 22nd, 2013 at 4:28 PM ^
February 22nd, 2013 at 5:20 PM ^
after the game against UL-L.
February 22nd, 2013 at 6:02 PM ^
I'm watching the gametracker, and it looks like in extra innings you start with a runner on 2nd? I've never seen this before, is this new this season or have I just not followed things closely enough before? I know we definitely didn't do it in our tournament games last year.
February 22nd, 2013 at 6:09 PM ^
February 22nd, 2013 at 6:18 PM ^
Gotcha, thanks for the explanation. I have to say, I'm not a huge fan of this rule. Basically every inning starts w/ a sac bunt & then you try to drive in the run, it seems. Also, it doesn't really seem to be speeding this particular game up much at all! :)
February 22nd, 2013 at 6:29 PM ^
I turned on the Gametracker (after the baseball team won 9-1!), just in time for the hit onslaught. But since i'm supposedly working, I peaked up to see the runner on 2nd without being able to find out how she got there.
February 22nd, 2013 at 6:15 PM ^
Unless it's a playoff game, I think they should just let ties be ties in any sport. The games are long enough as it is.
February 22nd, 2013 at 6:19 PM ^
Sierra Romero with the bomb! A little breathing room now, just gotta hold on & not make the same mistakes we did in the bottom of the 7th.
February 22nd, 2013 at 6:22 PM ^
11-8 Michigan in the top of the 10th!
What a game!
February 22nd, 2013 at 6:30 PM ^
No kidding, this is nuts! Wish there were a way to watch it rather than having things play out painfully on Gametracker, but I still can't look away. I was hoping for another run or two there, but we've got the lead again. Now it's time for us to close the deal!
February 22nd, 2013 at 6:35 PM ^
Michigan wins! ISU plates one in the 10th, but Driesenga gets the big K to end things there. That was a lot closer than you want to cut it, but a win is a win, and I'm sure Hutch will find a lot of points to coach the team up on after that one!
February 22nd, 2013 at 7:10 PM ^
GT on the ride home. I could not see in the fog anyway so I might as well watch GT on the Galaxy.
Sara is doing so well in the circle as well as in the box. Its nice to see everyone chip in today. Caitlyn and Ashley hit well today. What can you say only we will take it.
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:11 AM ^