SB splits at FAU Tourney
The Softball Team headed to Boca Raton this weekend to play in the annual Owl Classic Tourney. Overall the ladies had a good day by splitting the two games. In the first game they mercied Florida Atlantic University 10-2 in 5 innings. In the second game they lost a close one to Long Island Universidy 2-1. The afternoon temperature was 72 degrees and not a cloud in sight.
Sara Driesenga was the hero in the first game vs our old friend and former Wolverine, Mandy Gardner. Sara went 2 for 2 with 5 RBIs and a run scored from a HR. Ashley Lane also hit a dinger. Sara was the winning pitcher by scattering 3 hits. She gave up 1 ER with 1 BB and 4 Ks. Great job Sara.
In the second game, the defense committed 3 errors in the 2-1 lose against LIU. Amy Knapp had the big gun by going 2 for 2 with a run scored. We ended up with 6 hits. Alice Fitzpatrick was the starting pitcher and took the loss. She pitched 2 innings and gave up both ERs. Sara came in and shut it down the rest of the game.
It is nice to see Coach Hutch give Alice some innings against quality opponents. This loss certainly hurts but the benefit to Alice and her growth certainly will benefit the team in years to come. We just could not string enough hits together to push across a few more runs.
Haylie Wagner is nursing a "boo-boo" and did not see any action. She is anxious to get out there, Im sure.
February 16th, 2013 at 6:22 PM ^
given that we also lost to "Long Island University" 2-1
February 16th, 2013 at 9:53 PM ^
started that tradition a few years ago. Yakety Sax with every mercy rule win. We cant win every game especially when Haylie is out and a Freshman is starting.
February 16th, 2013 at 6:26 PM ^
but there's not a whole lot you can do when you get a freshman pitcher (Fitzpatrick is at least third on the depth chart) combined with spotty defense and nothing in the way of hitting.
February 16th, 2013 at 6:28 PM ^
February 16th, 2013 at 6:41 PM ^
Experience should help in the long run for Fitzpatrick. Just glad the season has started so we can make another run at the conference title.
Also, the men are having a decent showing against Cal this weekend. Bullpen couldn't hold on yesterday but are getting another opportunity right now.
February 16th, 2013 at 7:29 PM ^
Michigan losing to LIU-Brooklyn concerns me. Usually they spank teams like that 8-0 in 5.
MGS, do you see Michigan winnning the B1G again and winning the B1G Tournament?
February 16th, 2013 at 7:46 PM ^
it's a little tougher to call, but M looks like a top-fifteen(ish) outfit, and nobody else in the Big Ten is anywhere near that caliber. If M can take at least two against Iowa, Minnesota and Northwestern they should be more than fine for the regular season title.
I had a big softball diary going, but Word decided to lose it for me.
February 16th, 2013 at 10:04 PM ^
win the B1G regular season. We might lose to NW or ohio but overall our pitching is world class. Now as far as the B1G Tournament goes, I would expect to win it all but in SB anything can happen. I predict 2-3 loses in the Big Ten.
I have not seen whether the B1G will be a double elimination or single elimination tourney. If it is a single, one bad call can change the tide in a 1-0 game.
February 16th, 2013 at 11:07 PM ^
The Big Ten Tournament is single elimination, all 12 teams invited. Same format as the basketball tournament.
I agree that Michigan should be the favorites in the regular season (although only 2 or 3 losses in 23 games is too much to ask, especially if Wagner isn't healthy by the time the conference season starts), and I also agree that the conference tournament will be a crapshoot. Either way, Michigan should be good enough to make the NCAAs, as long as they don't have many more games like game 2 today.