Softball Bounce-Back Game Thread
No two ways about it, the game earlier today was a big disappointment, both offensively and defensively. The great thing about softball, though, is the fact that the season is very long, and there will be many other opportunities to get high-quality wins.
In the meantime, we've got a 2nd match-up today, going head to head with the USF Bulls. The game can be watched online (although it looks like there's a price tag) at http://www.gousfbulls.com/liveEvents/liveEvents.dbml?SPSID=36725&SPID=2…; You can also follo via live stats or on the Michigan Softball twitter account. First pitch should be right about 4:30. Let's hope we can get a good palate cleanser here & put that Florida game firmly in the past.
February 13th, 2016 at 4:28 PM ^
The VT vs Illinois St game is in the 6th inning.
We certainly need a pick-me-up type of game here. My guess is Megan gets the ball and we dominate USF.
February 13th, 2016 at 4:32 PM ^
LET'S CRUSH THEM!
February 13th, 2016 at 4:38 PM ^
7th inning now of the game ahead of us - jumped the gun a little on putting the thread up. :)
February 13th, 2016 at 4:43 PM ^
February 13th, 2016 at 4:46 PM ^
Good sign if she's warming up - does make you wonder about earlier in the game, but it sounds like they're taking everything not just day by day, but hour by hour, inning by inning. Definitely better to play it safe & have her healthy for conf & post-season play.
February 13th, 2016 at 4:52 PM ^
February 13th, 2016 at 4:52 PM ^
I think Hutch just didn't want Florida to see her.
February 13th, 2016 at 6:41 PM ^
Betsa went against the Gators 3 times last year. They're probably as familiar with her as they are with any SEC pitcher.
February 13th, 2016 at 4:41 PM ^
Early thread = more time to build up the hype.
Go Blue!
February 13th, 2016 at 4:50 PM ^
February 13th, 2016 at 5:04 PM ^
make-up like? Are there still many M's?
February 13th, 2016 at 5:14 PM ^
February 13th, 2016 at 5:07 PM ^
Per the gametracker, Faith Canfield is getting her first career start at third base today. They haven't posted a starting pitcher yet, though. Blanco is at first, so it looks like Driesenga and/or Betsa will be the pitcher(s) in this one.
February 13th, 2016 at 5:08 PM ^
February 13th, 2016 at 5:14 PM ^
I would not have taken that bet. Hutch isn't in the habit of hiding her #1 pitcher from the toughest opponents. What this says to me is that Betsa isn't #1 right now because she isn't 100 percent healthy right now.
February 13th, 2016 at 5:13 PM ^
Per twitter, it's betsa in the circle to start. Won't be surprised if she only goes a couple innings, though, esp. if we get out to a lead. Interesting to see Canfield getting some playing time over Monte. Hutch pegged her pre-season as someone to look out for.
February 13th, 2016 at 5:10 PM ^
Starting 10:
Sierra Lawrence, CF
Sierra Romero, 2B
Kelly Christner, LF
Kelsey Susalla, RF
Tera Blanco, 1B
Aidan Falk, DP
Faith Canfield, 3B
Alex Sobczak, C
Abby Ramirez, SS
(Megan Betsa, P)
February 13th, 2016 at 5:10 PM ^
Betsa starting...........hrm.
February 13th, 2016 at 5:18 PM ^
February 13th, 2016 at 5:23 PM ^
+1 inside scoop. :) If that's the case, then that's good news for sure.
February 13th, 2016 at 8:40 PM ^
February 13th, 2016 at 5:24 PM ^
Underway! Silo gets a 4-pitch walk, Romo up, one on, no outs. Let's jump on 'em early!
February 13th, 2016 at 5:25 PM ^
February 13th, 2016 at 5:27 PM ^
for her size.
February 13th, 2016 at 5:28 PM ^
put it in the green and score 2.
February 13th, 2016 at 5:29 PM ^
and score 3!!
3-0 Michigan, top 1st.
February 13th, 2016 at 5:29 PM ^
February 13th, 2016 at 5:29 PM ^
Kelsey Susalla gets the scoring started with a three run blast! Michigan up 3-0, still just one out!
February 13th, 2016 at 5:29 PM ^
3 RBIs. We will take it.
February 13th, 2016 at 5:32 PM ^
Great start - I don't envy USF pitching having to go up against this line-up when it's in a bad mood. I don't feel sorry for them either, of course. Keep pounding!
February 13th, 2016 at 5:33 PM ^
Interesting that Monte has been benched for Canfield.
February 13th, 2016 at 5:38 PM ^
Of the returning starters, Monte is the one in most danger of having her bat lifted this year. She's a plus defensive player, and she upped her OBP a lot last year by working a pile of walks, but she doesn't have the average or the power of the rest of the line-up. She'll be an interesting player to keep an eye on as she tries to hold off the freshmen.
February 13th, 2016 at 5:34 PM ^
February 13th, 2016 at 5:37 PM ^
Man.........fourth game and she's already looking the part. Hutch wasn't lying.
February 13th, 2016 at 5:37 PM ^
Sobczak makes it 5-0 Michigan!
February 13th, 2016 at 5:39 PM ^
Now that's how you help your pitcher out - Betsa will stride into the circle with 5 runs of support in her back pocket!
February 13th, 2016 at 5:42 PM ^
3 up, 3 down, and just like that, Ramirez will step to the plate to try & set the table for the top of the order!
February 13th, 2016 at 5:53 PM ^
Another run plated in the 2nd, 6-0 Michigan heading to the B2. Could've been more, but we'll take the run.
February 13th, 2016 at 5:54 PM ^
Susalla RBI, 6-0 Michigan
February 13th, 2016 at 5:59 PM ^
February 13th, 2016 at 6:00 PM ^
No damage done in the B2. Bulls get a single, but nothing more.
February 13th, 2016 at 6:02 PM ^
February 13th, 2016 at 6:04 PM ^
Add this to MAAR's 9 points in the win over Purdue and it's been a pretty productive day for them.
February 13th, 2016 at 6:06 PM ^
another short game; but in our favor this time.
February 13th, 2016 at 6:06 PM ^
7-0 heading to the B3 after 3 ground-outs end Michigan's half of the inning. Keep on piling up the runs...
February 13th, 2016 at 6:17 PM ^
February 13th, 2016 at 6:17 PM ^
USF works a pair into scoring position, but Betsa guns 'em down with a K! Chance in the T4 to put this thing into run rule territory.
February 13th, 2016 at 6:24 PM ^
her stamp on M Great Pitchers such as Jordan Taylor, Mari Foster, Sam Findlay and the like. She is only a Junior to boot so we will have her next year as well.
February 13th, 2016 at 6:26 PM ^
No joy in the fourth for the Michigan offense. If Betsa can hold them down in the B4, though, we'll still have a great shot at a short game.
February 13th, 2016 at 6:34 PM ^