SB Open Thread @ Rutgers 1pm
The #4 Ranked Softball Team (35-6, 8-2) is in New Jersey this weekend to play 3 games with Rutgers (20-10, 7-3). In yesterday's game, the team jumped on Rutgers early and often en route to a 18-0 rout. Rutgers is currently tied with Minny for 3rd place in the Big Ten Standings at 7-3, so we need to sweep them this weekend.
Today's game is on BTN plus: http://www.btn2go.com/game/michigan-at-rutgers-on-04112015
We are currently in 2nd place (8-2) in the Big Ten Standings behind #1 Northwestern (8-1). Minny T-3rd (7-3) defeated NW yesterday 10-5. So we need Minny to remain hot and sweep NW because we do not play Northwestern this year.
Minny has an easy remainder of their schedule. They already took 2 of 3 from Nebraska. Minny plays MSU, Iowa, Purdue and Wiskey yet this year. I do not see any of these teams beating Minny except for the occasional "lay an egg" that any team is capable of doing.
Northwestern has to play @ Nebraska next weekend so they could lose one or two in Lincoln. So it looks like the Big Ten Regular Season will come down to us, Minny, and Northwestern. I think Minny is a better than NW so I expect Minny to take 1, perhaps both remaining games. Then I expect Nebraska to take 1 from NW next weekend. This leaves us and Minny at the top.
April 11th, 2015 at 12:57 PM ^
Looks like BTN is showing the northwestern spring game
EDIT: nvm, didnt read the "Plus" on the next line in the OP
then scores on a passed ball. 1-0
the score is 1-0; us. Haylie in the circle.
I'm hoping Northwestern takes one of the next two from Minny. I think they'll drop at least one to Nebraska, and might get nipped again later on as well. Minny's schedule is pretty simple from here on out, given how dreadful Wisconsin has turned out to be, so I consider them our biggest threat. If NW can give us a little more leeway vs. Minny, I'd be happy about it.
Interesting to see Wagner still in the batting line-up. I'm wondering what happened with Swearingen & Vargas - both seemed like they were playing well, but have not been seeing much action of late.
Haylie is batting under .200 this year. Both Taylor and Amanda are batting much higher. Coach must be thinking that Sara will be out longer and Haylie will need to bat for herself because Megan typically needs a batter. Thus any pitching change will allow Taylor or Amanda to bat for Megan.
in the bottom of the 1st; still 1-0 us.
5-0 for the Maize & Blue on the strength of a Montemarano RBI single and a 3-run blast from Abby Ramirez, not usually known for her power. Runner on 2nd now with still just one out.
for a 3 run HR. Now 5-0 us.
OH MY GOD ABBY RAMIREZ HIT A HOME RUN
Interesting fact, she was a great power hitter in high school. Set state (or at least Chicago-area) home run records, if I remember correctly.
good sir. Abby may be small but she has a great swing. She broke the single season HR record with 20. She is listed at 5-4 but I think she is more like 5-2 1/2.
She is the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Illinois in her HS Senior Year (2013).
I was surprised Hutch turned her into a slapper, especially since there were already two good ones last season in Doyle and Sappingfield. Natalie Peters arrives next year, a natural slapper with great speed -- think Bree Evans, but maybe even a bit faster -- so maybe Ramirez will get more opportunities to stand up and hit for power.
And tough, coming back strong after a significant injury(play at the plate vs ND in an exhibition?). One of my favorite players.
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Yep, everyone will agree with you on that. Fantastic player and wonderful person, by all accounts.
Here's an mgoblue feature on her and the injury:
An error costs Michigan in the bottom 2nd, leading to a couple of unearned runs from Rutgers. Still a 5-2 advantage for the Maize & Blue thanks to the Ramirez rocket.
at the end of 3
for a 3-run HR. Now 8-2 in the top of the 4th.
And Sweet follows it right up with a 2-run blast of her own! Just like that, this game is in run-rule territory if Rutgers can't answer back.
Also, that HR from Christner puts her into the team lead, ahead of Romo, for long balls on the season. She is definitely the revelation of the season for Michigan, and what a revelation she has been!
for 2 RBIs, now 10-2.
Montemarano adds another RBI single, and Michigan has batted around. 11-2, the rout is on in earnest once again.
Elsewhere in Big Ten play, it's zeroes across the board in game 2 of the Minnesota/Northwestern series - a game with major implications for the title chase.
to win at least one of the remaining 2 games.
1-0 NW now. I agree - I'm hoping they split, personally, but I'd rather have Minny win both than NW win both.
NW still has to go to Lincoln next weekend. Now Nebraska is not the typical team we are used to seeing; they can still win a game or two.
We would hold the tie breaker against Minny.
Is she on the team? How about a last name?!
/s
3 more come across in the 5th to give Michigan a 16-3 lead. The Wolverines have now scored 34 runs in 10 innings against Rutgers, averaging well over 3 runs per inning. And today they've managed it despite Romo not even having a very good day at the plate, which just goes to show that this team is deep, not a one-woman show.
person you speak of? I am kidding of course.
I am just as happy as you to see the rest of the team play so well. This bodes well for us to make a deep run.
I would sleep easier if Sara was in the circle for a few games prior to the start of the NCAA WS.
I've also been wondering when we'll see Driesenga in the circle again. Betsa and Wagner are both playing well, but definitely when it comes tourney time, you want that extra bullet in the chamber. Hutch said a few weeks back that she was expecting Driesenga back soon, so hopefully it won't be too much longer. Definitely want her to get some solid innings in before playoffs.
Hutch was on the radio earlier this week and all she had to say about Driesenga is that she hasn't thrown a pitch yet. I hope she can come back soon. It would be nice for her if she had a chance to play and we could use her down the stretch.
3 straight ground-outs end the game, and it's a 16-3 (5 inn.) bombing for Michigan! Great day for Michigan, hopefully we can finish the job tomorrow!
Abby gets the game ball (IMO). She went 4 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBIs. Her HR early on was a great shot.
Ballgame. 16-3 in 5 innings. 4th straight run rule win.
Michigan has outscored Rutgers 34-3 in two games this weekend.
Do it again tomorrow.
Haylie looked great today, only one ER, too many errors again behind her. Seems like when she pitches, there are too many errors behind her. And she had the one hit game on Tuesday, and was perfect after the 1st inning, getting the next 15 batters out.
Michigan Football has never won 7 straight (and counting) B1G Championships.
Minnesota blew out Northwestern 10-2, as expected. Hopefully Northwestern beats them tomorrow.
Thanks for the updates. Go Blue!!!