Softball Finishes Weekend Strong, Tops Texas 4-0
Michigan softball's rough weekend ended on a high note with a 4-0 win over the Longhorns to wrap up the Texas Invitational. After struggling to score earlier in the weekend, the Wolverines were able to string a few things together today and get the job done.
All the scoring took place in the 2nd inning, as the Maize & Blue loaded the bases on hits by Uden and Hoogenraad along with an HBP that put Sobczak aboard. "Panda" Vargas then drew a walk to open up the scoring, and Faith Canfield put a ball in play to score another on an RBI fielder's choice. She would steal second, a decision that paid off when Natalie Peters hit a single, bringing home both Canfield and Hoogenraad, giving the Wolverines a comfortable cushion.
Even as a true freshman, Meghan Beaubien has proven herself to be the sort of pitcher you can trust to hold a lead. Texas created a little drama in the 5th and 6th, getting runners to 3rd with just one out each time. The result was 3 Ks and a groundout, and no joy for the Texas fans. Beaubien went 7 strong, scattering 3 hits and a walk while racking up 7 Ks on the day. The freshman's ERA is now a glittering 0.53, despite having faced Michigan's toughest opponents.
The team will be back in action on Thursday at the Judi Garman Classic. Friday will be especially important as a resume-builder, with games against Baylor and ULL. Some quality wins out West could be very valuable for Michigan's tournament plans.
February 25th, 2018 at 8:01 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 8:09 PM ^
Beaubien is ridiculous; she is off to an incredible start! To the knowledgeable softball fan, have we seen this kind of start by a frosh pitcher before?
February 25th, 2018 at 9:41 PM ^
Not since I've been following the team closely (2010 or so). Haylie Wagner, Sara Driesenga, and Megan Betsa were all good early on, but Beaubien is nationally elite right out of the gate. Fans who've been around longer than me might be able to tell you what Jennie Ritter or Jordan Taylor looked like in their first starts. Certainly they're the benchmark that Beaubien is aiming at. I'm sure she'll have some rough days at some point along the way, but the rest of the Big Ten has to be just sitting there thinking "You have got to be kidding me!" right now. :)
February 25th, 2018 at 9:50 PM ^
Freshman (2008) ... NFCA All-America second team ... NFCA All-Great Lakes Region first team ... Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Year ... All-Big Ten first team ... Appeared in 43 games, starting 34 contests ... Led the Wolverines with a 31-4 record, 0.76 ERA, 15 shutouts, 279 strikeouts and three saves ... Boasted the best pitching statistics for a U-M rookie in program history ... Shut out #17 Virginia Tech in the NCAA Super Regional opener (May 24) ... Earned all three U-M wins in NCAA Regional play (May 16-18) ... Tossed back-to-back complete-game one-hitters vs. Notre Dame (May 17) and Kent State (May 18), fanning 11 in the regional finale ... Claimed a pair of wins at Penn State (May 3-4), tossing eight strikeouts and allowing seven hits through 10.1 shutout innings ... Claimed victory in Northwestern nightcap, fanning six batter while allowing three hits (April 27) ... Struck out 10 in complete-game one-hit shutout at Minnesota-2 (April 13) ... Boasted a 48.1 shutout inning streak (March 21 - April 9), tallying 72 strikeouts with 23 hits allowed and three walks over the stretch ... Threw 14 strikeouts in three consecutive starts -- vs. Iowa (April 5), vs. Illinois (April 6), vs. Bowling Green (April 9) ... Tossed a complete-game one-hit shutout at Purdue-2 (March 30) ... Fanned eight en route to first collegiate no-hitter in a five-inning, 9-0 victory vs. Miami (Ohio) at the Louisville Tournament (March 15) ... Registered a two-hit, complete-game shutout, fanning nine vs. #16 Louisiana-Lafayette at the NFCA Leadoff Classic (Marc 2) ... Fanned 11 batters and allowed one run in a nine-inning victory over UCF (Feb. 27) ... Surrendered no earned runs through nine innings (2-0 loss) in collegiate debut vs. Maryland at the Kick-Off Classic (Feb. 8).
February 25th, 2018 at 11:14 PM ^
Wow. I knew Taylor was a monster right out of the gate, but I hadn't looked through all the stats before.
Incidentally, she & Nikki Nemitz were what sealed my love of softball. I was already falling in love with the sport, and decided to check out an NCAA tournament game at Alumni Field. We ended up losing to Tennessee & getting bounced from the tourney, but the day still locked me up as a fan. The key moment was when I was walking past the bullpen where Nemitz & Taylor were warming up. Standing that close to 2 elite pitchers, and feeling the visceral physics of what they were doing made a huge impression. You saw real, raw power, esp. with Taylor! It changed my view of the game forever, and made me a permanent fan.
February 25th, 2018 at 8:38 PM ^
Beaubien continues to impress. I really hope the offense picks up. We might be seeing the beginning of something truly special with Beaubien but the offense has to at least be able to consistently put runs on the board.
February 25th, 2018 at 8:45 PM ^
Rest of the staff is 1-4. Have to get some W's elsewhere going forward.
February 25th, 2018 at 9:06 PM ^
The problem is none of those losses is really on Blanco or Schaefer. Every single one of our losses except maybe the Notre Dame one can be put on our lack of offense. Our pitchers have given up 4 runs once and 3 runs twice. All other opponents in the remaining 11 games including top 10 teams have been held to 2 runs or less. I don't know that you can really ask for much more from a pitching staff.
February 26th, 2018 at 9:04 AM ^
My point, which I didn't articulate very well, was that they have to find a way to get W's as a team without your #1 pitching. I wasn't trying to bash Blanco and the other ladies but I can see how it read that way.
February 26th, 2018 at 9:44 AM ^
Nah, I get what you meant. And you're right. Despite the pitching being off to a good start, they're unfortunately only half the equation. Beaubien's been good enough to overcome having minimal run support but she can't shut out everyone.
February 26th, 2018 at 12:31 PM ^
M has allowed a total of 15 runs in its 6 losses. You give up two and a half runs a game, you would expect to win a lot more than you lose.
February 25th, 2018 at 9:14 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:47 PM ^
Any info on how other BIG teams like Minnesota are doing this season ? Do we expect a tight race for the regular season title ?
February 25th, 2018 at 10:28 PM ^
Minnesota's 10-4. They've played 10 games against bad teams and 4 games against good/decent teams. I'll let you figure out how those shook out. As of right now, they don't look great but time will tell that tale.
The rest of the B1G seems to be B1G softball as usual. Ohio State might be trying to continue their moderate success from last year or they might just be playing a lot of bad teams. We'll have to see.
As of right now, I'm going to say the B1G title this year should be there for the taking.
February 26th, 2018 at 7:08 AM ^
wasn't OSU in this texas tourney? how'd they do this weekend?
February 26th, 2018 at 9:39 AM ^
3-0. Beat Wichita St. twice and Texas once.
February 26th, 2018 at 4:01 PM ^
lol, so we know nothing more than what we already knew
February 25th, 2018 at 10:38 PM ^
I may have missed this somewhere, but is there any word on when Lou Allan will be back? Or what's wrong with her? Also, I believe Taylor Bump had a thumb injury that may have slowed her down early, but I'm surprised she's seen so little time for such a highly rated recruit. I'd love to see these two in the lineup to see if they can give a little offensive boost.
February 25th, 2018 at 11:36 PM ^
to find out.... but its always a bit hush when it comes to this stuff.
February 26th, 2018 at 12:02 AM ^
mich softball has been deep in pitching with hutch and they never start unless vets are hurt..... Its good for the future, but would not read too much into it even tho I have not followed them this year yet. Many good times tho with the team and dam.... I miss sierra. why her sister went to okra? no clue?
beaubien is the real deal, but I don't see her being pushed this year.
February 26th, 2018 at 7:10 AM ^
that shadow looms large - the entire Eastern Time zone apparently
February 26th, 2018 at 12:06 AM ^
Good to get some runs.
February 26th, 2018 at 9:25 AM ^
for the team so far this season and probably will need to strat getting some resume builders to help come tourney time. Pitching has been good, team just needs to get the bats going.