Softball completes sweep of Buckeyes, Hutch gets 500th Big Ten win
After a nail-biter on Saturday, the softball team decided to make things a little easier on themselves Sunday, winning a pair of run-rule decisions, 10-0 (5 inn.) and 9-1 (6 inn.). The two wins represented the 500th and 501st wins in conference play for Carol Hutchins. Hutch now boasts a career record of 1354-457 overall.
After the offense continued to struggle in the early innings of game one, Sierra Romero got things started with a solo-shot in the fourth, and then the lid came off in a big way. Taylor Hasselbach added two more runs with her first of three home runs on the day, and then in the fifth the Wolverines plated 7, capped off by a game-ending grand slam from catcher Lauren Sweet. Game two brought more of the same, as Hasselbach drove in two more homers, including a grand slam of her own.
The pitching staff picked up right where Wagner left off on Friday, surrendering just 5 hits and one earned run in 11 innings of work. Driesenga is looking steadily more in control after struggling during non-conference play, delivering the game one shut-out via 6 Ks to just one walk. Betsa continued to show her ability as a strike-out pitcher, delivering ten strikeouts over the course of the game. On the season, Betsa now has just one fewer K than ace Haylie Wagner, despite having pitched over 40 fewer innings (she does have a few more walks than Wagner). Having two strong pitchers with such different styles could prove a great asset going forward.
Elsewhere in the Big Ten, both Purdue and Minnesota took losses over the weekend, giving Michigan a full two game lead three weeks into the season. After a mid-week matchup against Central (correction - Western, Central is next week), the Wolverines have a three game set with a miserable Michigan State squad (1 in Ann Arbor, 2 in East Lansing). The Spartans are in last place in the Big Ten with just one win, and have yet to reach double-digit wins on the season. They've lost nine of their last ten, and were just swept by Penn State. The only danger I can see here is if Michigan gets caught looking ahead to the big showdown with Minnesota the week after, which will likely determine conference supremacy.
How sweep it is!
The Big Ten is weak this year. Minnesota lost their pitcher from last year. Purdue could be challenge but not likely, the double header in west lafayette will be a big day. Also Michigan's mid week match up is against Western this week (4/8) and Central next week (4/16) per mgoblue.com.
Good catch, fixed it in the post. You're certainly right that this is looking like a pretty soft year for the Big Ten. There are a couple other teams at the top who could pose a threat, but once you get past that, it's just awful. I really think Minnesota is the only major threat left - they've already played Nebraska & Wisconsin, and emerged with just two losses. Neb & Wiscy have 4 & 5 losses respectively, so I doubt they'll be in the running. I don't think Purdue has a chance this year - they've built a nice record by playing the worst teams, and have still taken some losses - they supplied Michigan State's only Big Ten win thus far. If we take at least 2 from Minny, I think we're in great shape.
Just keep winning. I'm looking forward to the game this Friday. Should be some big names back on campus.
There is no way the Big Ten sends 4 teams to the tournament again this year.
I love seeing the M softball updates.... keep them coming please! Do you know where Hutch stands in relation to all-time records for most wins in the BIG, most wins by a HC in a career, etc....?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_college_softball_coaches_with_800_…; That wikipedia article (updated as of the end of last season) should give you most of what you need. I'm not sure where exactly Hutch stacks up among Big Ten coaches, but I'd have to imagine she's at or near the top (Indiana/Iowa coach Gayle Blevins would be the only person who might be close).
In terms of all-time wins, she's in third behind the recently-retired Margie Wright and Arizona legend Mike Candrea. I reluctantly have to concede the title of greatest softball coach ever to Candrea, given his 8 WCWS titles, but I'd say that Hutch is second to none after him. She and Candrea will most likely retire as #1/#2 in all-time wins, and those marks will probably stand for quite some time. Others may have more total titles than Hutch, but no one has overcome even a quarter of the obstacles she has - she is a real treasure of the University, which is why we never hesitate to sing her praises in these softball threads! :)
I love seeing the M softball updates.... keep them coming please! Do you know where Hutch stands in relation to all-time records for most wins in the BIG, most wins by a HC in a career, etc....?