SB Wins First Game of 2013

Submitted by MGoSoftball on

Now that National Signing Day is over, it is time to start thinking of another National Championship for Michigan.  That quest started today for the Softball Team.  The team started the "Spring Training" tour with a Tournament at USF Bulls in Florida.

Michigan played Marshall today and came away with a 6-1 victory.  We scored 6 runs on 8 hits with 5 RBIs along with 6 BB and 10Ks. Sara Pitched all 7 innings giving up 1 ER off 3 hits; she walked 1 and struck out 10.

Now Marshall is not a softball powerhouse so let's make that perfectly clear.  We should not be buying airfare to Oklahoma City just yet.  But a win is a win especially from a team that had no identity last year.  UCF is a Top 10 team so lets see how we do against them.

 

The starting line up was;

1. Lyndsay Doyle CF 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored

2. Nicole Sappingfield RF  2 for 2 with 2 runs scored and 1 RBI

3. Sierra Romero SS 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs

4. Sara Driesenga P 0 for 1 with 3BB

5. Ashley Lane 2B 0 for 4

6. Taylor Hasselbach 1B  1 for 3 with 2 RBIs

7. Sierra Lawerence LF  1 for 3

8. Lauren Sweet C  1for 2 with 1 run scored.

9. Amy Knapp 3B  0 for 3

 

It is good to see Sara starting off on the right foot.  She is starting off better this year compared to last year.  Coach Hutch used her "magic powers" with Sara in the off season.

What can we say about Amy?  You just have to love this kid; all heart.  Thanks Amy.

It is also nice to see the girls taking some good hacks.  Now 10Ks did not exactly excite Coach Hutch, I'm sure; but timely hits are always welcomed.  Lets keep an eye on the bats the remainder of the tournament.

We continued our traditional model of aggressive base-running with a couple of steals today.  It led to a run in the first inning when Lyndsay was able to reach 3B and scored on an illegal pitch.  Lyndsay and Nicole, back-to-back, will generate plenty of runs this year.  Lyndsay can flat-out fly.

It is refreshing to see the Freshmen Sierra's doing well in their first game. They both got a hit today.  Welcome to Michigan Ladies.

In other news of note: Mandy Gardner transferred to Maryland this year.  She was the logical choice to start at 1B.  I certainly had high hopes for her.  Taylor now gets that honor.  Taylor is one of those kids that can play just about anywhere (ala Chiddy).  Taylor should start at 1B most of the season.  She certainly deserves it.

Go Blue.

 

 

Wolverine Devotee

February 8th, 2013 at 3:23 PM ^

Pretty exciting season it looks to be with 3 game weekend series in B1G play and the return of the B1G Tournament. Only downside is that it is predetermined hosts. The B1G Champion should host it. 

snowcrash

February 8th, 2013 at 5:33 PM ^

Good start for her. 10 strikeouts and 1 walk is a good way to control the game. I know that football players tend to improve the most between their first and second years in the program. Is the same generally true of softball players?

brendandavis22

February 8th, 2013 at 9:59 PM ^

Such an underrated poster on this board. Having a sister who played softball I was dragged to many games growing up. Its a fun game to watch, especially because my sister was the high school catcher for Kelly Forbis (remember her mgosoftball?) I wish the board could develop a poster for each non-revenue sport. Thanks for the info. Are we ranked right now? What is the big ten looking like? Will Maryland or Rutgers add anything?

MGoSoftball

February 9th, 2013 at 2:02 AM ^

She was the first pitcher in M history to throw a perfect game.  I did not remember what her active years were so I will admit to a google search.  Kelly threw hard too.  I bet it was difficult to catch her.

We are ranked: #15 AP, #13 ESPN/Coaches

Rutgers will not have much but Maryland will add value.  Maryland had a very good year last year.  Plus with our old friend Mandy Gardner playing for the Terps, it should be fun to watch.

Smash Lampjaw

February 9th, 2013 at 2:16 PM ^

I heard about that last summer from a friend who coaches in LA. What seemed odd to me was that he said the issue is she does not want to pitch anymore, but the coaches did want her to pitch. In my experience, pitchers always want to pitch, but this is the 2nd situation like this that I know of this year.