Sierra Romero named espnW Softball Player of the Year

Submitted by justingoblue on

A very well deserved honor for M's star junior heading into the postseason.

In a college softball season dominated by record run production, including the juggernaut lineup of which she is a part, Romero is one of the toughest outs in the country. Willing to wait for her pitch, she will take first base if it's given. If not -- if challenged to beat the odds that say a hitter should fail more times than she succeeds -- she will win more often than not.

Often enough to be espnW's national player of the year.

Link.

Wolverine Devotee

May 12th, 2015 at 2:37 PM ^

They just didn't want Michigan sweeping the awards again. 

Minnesota's "POY" sure did a lot in their B1G Tournament shutout loss to 40-loss Iowa......not. 

All Romero did in that B1G Tournament was hit a grand slam to break the NCAA career record, have a ton of RBIs including a multi-run bomb in the championship game. She also won the tournament MVP.

ಠ_ಠ

May 12th, 2015 at 2:50 PM ^

Awesome!

I think Romo certainly would have won the conference award had it been handed out post tourney, but I can sort of understand why Minny's player got it if they were being judged only on regular season conference play. Good news is that Romo is rounding into form at exactly the right time.

Also, I said last year that Lauren Chamberlain will be a shoo-in for the USA NPOY award this season, and I still think that's the case. She didn't have quite the season I expected -- and Romo would probably edge her out stats-wise -- but my hunch is that a lot of voters will consider it something like a career achievement award.

Scorekeeper

May 12th, 2015 at 2:58 PM ^

OK.  Not a bogus award, but let's see how long it takes to show up on the college softball discussion thread.  

The article is great.  Graham Hayes does a good job of highlighting softball players.

Wolverine Devotee

May 12th, 2015 at 3:01 PM ^

Also, the team banquet was last night.

Photo from MGoBlue of the B1G Championship and B1G Tournament Championship trophies-

 

Awards

  • Most Outstanding Player: Sierra Romero
  • Most Outstanding Pitcher: Megan Betsa
  • Freshman of the Year: Aidan Falk
  • Drewett Academic Award: Becca Garfinkel
  • Maize and Blue Award: Kelsey Susalla

South Bend Wolverine

May 12th, 2015 at 3:40 PM ^

"I can sort of understand why Minny's player got it if they were being judged only on regular season conference play."

I suspect that this is what was going on.  If you take the season as a whole, Romo stands alone, but it's true that she dipped a bit in conference play (down to the level of "elite mortal" instead of "deathless juggernaut").  Hopefully she's back to her usual levels for the tourney!  It looks like she's trending in that direction.

Scorekeeper

May 12th, 2015 at 3:58 PM ^

Previous UM teams would have suffered with the Sierra slump she went through. But, others picked up when she "slumped."  They really will be dangerous with her hitting on all cylinders.  It will be a tough choice - walk her and let the rest of the order do damage or face her and give up a homer.