SB Opening Day for Team 37; Ranked #4
Now that Peppers is in the fold; we can breathe a sigh of relief and focus on winning our next National Championship. The SB Championship run starts today and ends at Oklahoma City in June. Michigan’s most successful coach leads Team 37 on the field today for the 2014 Softball Opening Day. Team Captains are Sr. Nicole Sappingfield and Sr. Katie Luetkens
Coach Hutch has much to be thankful for as Team 37 brings back a host of talented players that will win the Big Ten and earn a trip back to Oklahoma City in June. The lineup will not change much this year as compared to last.
Gone is the Powerhouse 2B, Ashley Lane. Her power and leadership will certainly be missed. Ashley was in the 4 or 5-hole most of her career. Also gone is 3B Amy Knapp. Amy’s defense at the hot corner will be very difficult to replace.
I had the opportunity to watch a few fall games and the ladies look hungry. In the game against Eastern, Colie went yard, yes Colie can you believe it? The other returning starters have gained valuable experience.
The greatest improvement will be in the in the circle. Jr. Haley Wagner is returning 100% healthy and Jr. Sara Driesenga is still throwing B-B’s. Newcomer Megan Besta throws just as hard as the starters so we have three bona-fide starters. Barring something freaky occurring, Megan will be in the pen most of the season while Hayley and Sara share the spotlight.
Another player that is destined to have a break-out year is Sierra Lawrence . She went long twice against Eastern and she looked like she beefed up over the summer. Hutch has a very good summer workout program and Sierra certainly benefited from it.
Last year’s Freshman Sensation and All-Universe SS Sierra Romeo should continue her stellar career. Although I cannot imagine that she will have the same type of season that she did last year. I hope she does; however, if she comes back with 90% of her 2013 production, we will be golden.
The key player in my opinion will be Jr. C Lauren Sweet. Lauren had a slow start last year and really did not get going until the last 1/3 of the season. She ended the season with .236, 10 home runs and 34 RBI. When we needed her the most, Lauren went deep and long against Cal in the Regionals, which was key. Lauren needs start the season much better than last year.
Overall, Team 37 is better than last year’s team. This year will be fun to watch during the NCS as well as winning another Big Ten Title. My prediction is 51-4 (21-2 B1G), and #6 Seed, hosting the Regionals and SuperRegionals on our way back to the Promised land. Hopefully there will be no F5 tornados buzzing around like we had last year.
Go Coach Hutch, Go Team 37 and Go Blue
February 8th, 2014 at 9:24 AM ^
thanks for the info, is there a way to follow the game other than Gametracker on the UM site?
February 8th, 2014 at 9:34 AM ^
with Florida at 3pm. The only broadcast I can find is the UF radio broadcast: http://www.wruf.com/listen-live/
The game against USF will be live video broadcast on USF BullsCast from their $$$ website. : http://www.gousfbulls.com/liveEvents/liveEvents.dbml?&&DB_OEM_ID=7700&K…
February 8th, 2014 at 10:19 AM ^
I'm going to try to head over there but I'm not 100% on being able to find the time.
February 8th, 2014 at 10:11 AM ^
February 8th, 2014 at 11:22 AM ^
part of the problem is the B1G is not a softball powerhouse. The Pac10 could have teams with 4-6 losses, all in conference, and still rank higher than a 6. The Big Ten is 4th out of the 6 major conferences.
February 8th, 2014 at 10:43 AM ^
February 8th, 2014 at 11:43 AM ^
Really appreciate the regular updates you've given us on the U of M Softball Team in the past and looking forward to what you'll be posting here this season. I had to chuckle, though, about your use of the "beefed up" comment as most gals might prefer something more along the lines of "looks stronger than ever".
It never ceases to amaze me how Coach Hutch has been able to consistantly bring and develop talent up north with all the disadvantages that our climate brings. Carol Hutchins is no doubt one of the best softball coaches anywhere, I sometimes wonder if we appreciate fully what she's done for the Michigan program. How much longer do you expect her to continue coaching?
February 8th, 2014 at 11:56 AM ^
wondering who would be the first to catch that. No offense to Si-Lo but she is "better than ever".
February 8th, 2014 at 12:03 PM ^
Great way to get fired up for the new season, MGoSoftball! Can't wait to see what the ladies have in store for us. They're certainly testing themselves right out of the gate, just like always. A win or two today would really get this season started off right!
February 8th, 2014 at 12:21 PM ^
Nice to see you. I agree. Two wins today would kick off the season in great form, especially against #3 Florida. What a way to open the season.
I wish the game video was available as I would pay to watch this game vs Florida. It will be a 1-0 game regardless of who wins.
February 8th, 2014 at 12:30 PM ^
has she given any timetable or even hint of how much longer she'll be coaching at Michigan? I know she can't coach forever, I'm just afraid it's gonna be tough replacing her with anyone that can sustain the program at the level she's got it at.
For those not familar with her accomplishments, an education:
IMO, she's the best thing ever to come from State.
February 8th, 2014 at 2:50 PM ^
60 is the new 40 and 80 is the new 60 so Hutch should be good for another 20 years.
As long as Hutch stays around for 20, she may as well make it 21 so that she will be head coach for 50 years.
February 8th, 2014 at 1:02 PM ^
#4 seems a bit high, given the fact that we don't have a #1 ACE pitcher that dominates like Cat from Tex, that lefty from Tenn or that girl from Bama last year.
February 8th, 2014 at 1:11 PM ^
It was two years ago for Jackie Traina, she fell off quite a bit in 2013. Last season it was Ricketts from Oklahoma.
Also 3:00 is the pushed to time, my bad above.
February 8th, 2014 at 1:21 PM ^
It's true we don't have any one pitcher that is totally dominant, but we have two strong upperclassmen with the potential to develop into that. Factor in a quality freshman and we have a pretty deep pitching staff, even if there is no one total ace. Add in that we're returning one of the best offenses in the country, and I can see where the high ranking comes from. I'll admit it always makes me nervous being ranked so high, b/c there's nowhere to go but down, but I can see what the pollsters are looking at.
February 8th, 2014 at 1:40 PM ^
New jerseys now for Michigan Softball.
Dave BRAND-ON wants a unified look for every sport in one font.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
See: revolving door of Michigan Hockey jerseys that have changed literally every single year since 2010-11.
February 8th, 2014 at 4:45 PM ^
Wow! Must be the signing of Jabrill Peppers has had some far-reaching impact, far beyond the level even the most optimistic of us could have anticipated.
February 8th, 2014 at 4:12 PM ^
Romero picking up right where she left off last year with a grand slam in just her second at-bat of the season! 4-0, Maize & Blue!!!
February 8th, 2014 at 4:39 PM ^
and still 4-0 Good Gals.
I didn't realize Florida was 3rd ranked in the country, just learned that by tuning in to catch this game 4 innings in. Wish I would have done so a lot earlier but I was glued to the Basketball trainwreck for some reason or other.
Just seems weird (in a good way, though) to listen to a ballgame and look out my window to see 2+ ft of snow on the ground with more falling. Spring can't get here soon enough!
February 8th, 2014 at 5:14 PM ^
Fielding errors costing Michigan in the 7th. It's now 4-3 with two outs. Time to close the deal...
February 8th, 2014 at 5:15 PM ^
Betsa in to pitch for Driesenga. Huge pressure spot to send the freshman in for her first action as a Michigan pitcher!
February 8th, 2014 at 5:17 PM ^
Michigan in danger of letting this one slip away, now 4-3 but the Gators just scored 3 on a based-loaded 2-out double in the 7th.
Coach Hutchins going to the bullpen to put out the fire...
February 8th, 2014 at 5:20 PM ^
And now with a HBP and a walk, the bases are loaded. Yikes!
February 8th, 2014 at 5:22 PM ^
Driesenga returns to the circle - one of the odd things about softball, a pitcher can return after being relieved.
February 8th, 2014 at 5:21 PM ^
Driesenga returns.
February 8th, 2014 at 5:22 PM ^
a "Papa Grande" moment. Came in and can't throw a strike so far, hit the first batter and walked the 2nd to re-load the bases.
(In all fairness to her, though, what a tough situation to be in for your first action at the collegiate level)
...changing pitchers again.
February 8th, 2014 at 5:32 PM ^
4-4. Going to the bottom of the 7th.
February 8th, 2014 at 5:34 PM ^
For some reason I apparently missed the explanation of, Florida batted first in their home game.
Anybody?
February 8th, 2014 at 5:30 PM ^
Driesenga wiggled out of that mess somehow.
Lets get a run, any old run, in the bottom of the 7th and NOT let the Gators back up to hit...
February 8th, 2014 at 5:40 PM ^
Going to extra innings.
February 8th, 2014 at 5:44 PM ^
Shit. 5-4 Florida.
February 8th, 2014 at 5:44 PM ^
And now down by 3. What a disappointing collapse. Anyone have any idea why Wagner hasn't gotten a chance here? UF has Driesenga's number and Betsa wasn't able to get it done either...
February 8th, 2014 at 5:45 PM ^
7-4 Florida. T8. 1 out.
February 8th, 2014 at 5:53 PM ^
9-4. Just wow.
February 8th, 2014 at 6:02 PM ^
9-4 final.
February 8th, 2014 at 6:05 PM ^
This day blows. First b-ball, then this, plus hockey trailing a miserable Penn State squad 3-0. I'm so glad I didn't plan on relaxing all day watching sports recovering from a cold... Oh, wait.
February 8th, 2014 at 6:06 PM ^
Still, the whole story hasn't been written yet for softball. Gotta turn it around and get a win against a game South Florida team. Maybe Wagner gets her chance in that one?
February 8th, 2014 at 6:05 PM ^
theres no other way to put this they absolutely Blew this game
Very DISSAPOINTING
February 8th, 2014 at 6:18 PM ^
it should be that this game provided a teaching moment, a wake-up call, in Game #1 that you play sharp thru the final out. Sloppiness in the 7th inning cost them dearly.