Softball up big on SJSU, to face Baylor later today

Submitted by South Bend Wolverine on

After two heartbreakers yesterday, softball is right back at it today at the Judi Gaman Classic.  Sierra Romero is leading the way, as usual, with two HRs, good for 5 RBI.  Michigan leads 7-0 after 4 innings.  Romero is now batting nearly .550 on the season with 9 HRs, and and OBP that I think has now crossed (or is just short of) .700.

Big matchup against #9 Baylor later today, which represents Michigan's last chance to impress against a ranked team in the non-conference schedule.

South Bend Wolverine

March 6th, 2015 at 1:55 PM ^

Absolutely.  She's giving me a lot more confidence both going forward this year, and also for next year, when she'll have to be the straight-up ace most likely.  Her performance yesterday was really strong as well - 7 scoreless against a good ASU team should have been enough.

South Bend Wolverine

March 6th, 2015 at 2:26 PM ^

As much as it frustrates me, I guess we've all gotta be Florida fans now until we hopefully get another shot at them at the WCWS.  If we can keep our losses down, and they're one of the few we lose to, that looks good for us.  Same with FSU, Bama, and ASU - gotta hope those wins retain their quality over the course of the season.

MGoSoftball

March 6th, 2015 at 2:06 PM ^

has been Tera Blanco.  She came into this year as a highly-touted Freshman.  Coach Hutch expected big things from her.  However, no one could have predicted that she would catch fire like she did.

Wolvie3758

March 6th, 2015 at 2:11 PM ^

and grab another top 10 win..(Fingers crossed) yesterday will be a blip on the radar moving forward..I think so far its pretty clear that Florida and Michigan are the two best teams in the country with Oregon nipping at the heels for #3....I wont jinx us but I think we are going to have a phenomenal rest of the season..Our extremely Difficult Non-conference schedule will give us a very strong RPI..we are 6-0 on the road against top 25 teams..0-3 neutral site against top 25 with possibility of picking up a win against #9 Baylor tonight...that would make us 7-3 against ranked opponents....we could improve that if Minny stays ranked later on in season...All in all a GREAT start..we had Florida on the ropes TWICE and if we face them at the World Series that will only help motivate this team later on...Baylor is a VERY important game tonight!..

 

GO BLUE..BEAT BAYLOR

Blue Durham

March 6th, 2015 at 2:28 PM ^

I think what is almost as important as the record against ranked opponents is that Michigan has not lost against any team outside the top 25. That is really good when a number of them are pretty good (James Madison, Cal St Fullerton and a few others that have gotten votes in the polls). They have also done it in impressive style, by run-ruling about half of them.

The other thing I have really liked about the team is the team has also been pretty good at stealing bases. They are 28 of 29 attempts through this past weekend, while opponents are only 4 of 9. This could really pay off when the competition is tough during the super regionals or CWS and the team needs to manufacture runs. Great complement to the hitting (both on-base average as well as power) and pitching of the team.

ಠ_ಠ

March 6th, 2015 at 2:35 PM ^

Despite the disappointment yesterday, a win tonight would be the cherry on top of a very successful non-conference season. Sweeping FSU in Tallahassee and Bama in Tuscaloosa will look great at the end of the year, and they've been able to avoid a major upset. Losing to ASU was not so good, but at least they're a traditional power with a lot of talent.

Win against Baylor and this team is still in great position for a top eight seed. They'll almost certainly need to win the Big Ten outright, but I'd be shocked if they didn't.