Softball Rises to #3 in National Polls
After brushing off Alabama twice in Tuscaloosa and delivering dominant performances against over-matched Lipscomb and JMU squads this past week, the Michigan softball team is ranked 3rd in the nation in both polls (released today). The Wolverines predictabl leapfrogged the Crimson Tide, now ranked #4/#5 nationally. A season-opening loss to still-undefeated Florida is remains the only blemish on the Maize & Blue's record.
The tough schedule continues this weekend as Michigan travels to Tempe to face #21 Arizona State twice, along with two meetings with Toledo and one with Binghamton. Arizona State has struggled a bit this year, including a 4-1 loss to Minnesota. These match-ups will provide an interesting measuring stick between the two prime contenders for the Big Ten crown. The always-tough Sun Devils can't be taken lightly, however, having handed #6/#4 Oklahoma one of their few losses.
February 24th, 2015 at 3:58 PM ^
First thought was bun in the oven
February 24th, 2015 at 3:41 PM ^
I'm sorry but does anybody else think it's kinda wierd when somebody other than mGoSoftball or Justin posts anything about softball? Nothing against the OP at all (good content) but it's like when I see a number or uniform thread and it's not from WD.
It just doesnt feel right. Like when Van Halen got that dude from Extreme to sing lead vocals for some reason. David Lee Roth was fantastic and Sammy was an excellent replacement (although his best work was fronting for Montrose - sorry) but Gary Cherone? I do NOT want to hear Panama sung by Gary Cherone - it just wouldnt be the same.
February 24th, 2015 at 3:50 PM ^
I follow the team and try to post about them when I can, but there are several people that put better softball content out there than me.
February 24th, 2015 at 6:25 PM ^
I appreciate the mention but you are all head and shoulders above me.
Also, here's a link to South Bend Wolverine's great season preview diary in case anyone here missed it. Didn't get as much visibility as it deserved.
February 24th, 2015 at 8:06 PM ^
MGoBrewMom, Scorekeeper and occasionally SD MIck. All of the Softball Posters are very well informed.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:58 PM ^
All make their contributions for the good of all.
February 24th, 2015 at 4:02 PM ^
Change can be tough, can't it?
February 24th, 2015 at 4:16 PM ^
First the Browns logo change and now THIS! I'm not sure how much more I can take....
February 24th, 2015 at 5:00 PM ^
not your shoulder dummy.
February 24th, 2015 at 4:26 PM ^
just fine.
February 24th, 2015 at 8:17 PM ^
been a mainstay with many Non-Revenue Sports: not just softball. He has great insight to the game and as much passion as the rest of us "Groupies"
February 24th, 2015 at 3:44 PM ^
I saw this earlier but I cannot post via mobile.
We are 20 points behind #20 Oregon, who received 1 First-place vote. We did not receive any FPV.
Not that early ranking mean much but we are close to a 2nd place slot.
February 24th, 2015 at 3:46 PM ^
I'm going to assume that's #2 Oregon, not #20. :)
February 24th, 2015 at 8:04 PM ^
I have been having a difficult time posting from my Android for some reason. Dare I say "Operator error"
February 24th, 2015 at 4:04 PM ^
Could this team win a championship?
February 24th, 2015 at 4:10 PM ^
If everything comes together at the right moment, it's a definite possibility. Obviously championships are always a combination of talent, luck, peaking at the right time, and a million other things. There are some gaps on this team, most notably the lack of that one utterly dominant ace pitcher, that keep us from looking like a typical national championship team. However, we replace that with a top-to-bottom staff of three very good pitchers with different styles. The offense is coming around better than I'd predicted, so that's a very positive sign.
It's very tough to predict anything this early in the season, but Michigan is definitely on the short-list of serious national contenders right now.
February 24th, 2015 at 4:13 PM ^
It looks like there are three viable pitchers and a lot of hitting options. Personally I'd like to see Wagner or Betsa take over a clear number one spot in the pitcher's circle and see [freshman pitcher] Blanco hitting consistantly before committing to how likely it is, but there's the talent and experience to win it all.
February 24th, 2015 at 8:07 PM ^
HELL YES.
February 24th, 2015 at 9:26 PM ^
To worry about Romero ? I heard she has elbow problems and that's why the second base experiment was happening, I heard rumors about possibly Tommy John surgery ??
February 24th, 2015 at 10:08 PM ^
I'm definitely not an insider by any stretch, so I don't have anything out of the rumor mill. In terms of purely on the field stuff, though, she's hitting over .450 with an OBP over .600, so if she's got an injury, she's powering through it pretty dang well (like player-of-the-year candidate well). That said, a nagging injury could get worse over the season. Hope it doesn't, but if the rumors you've got are true, could be something to keep an eye on.
February 24th, 2015 at 4:32 PM ^
Do they give trophies for winning these tournaments? If so, where are they housed on campus? I imagine we're running out of space with the success Hutch has had for a long time.
February 24th, 2015 at 4:44 PM ^
I read recently that they did run out of room for last year's big ten championship on their wall, so it could be a problem. I do believe they get trophies for a lot of these
February 24th, 2015 at 8:10 PM ^
There are trophies for most of these tourneys. However, winning a trophy is always secondary to making a good show and trying new pieces in different places. One change that Coach Hutch has made is Romo at 2B.
It is much better to "try this out" at a "meaningless" tourney then during any B1G game.
February 24th, 2015 at 4:53 PM ^
Doesn't look like any of the games are on TV this weekend. I checked ESPN, Pac12 Network, and B1G Network. Too bad.
Next week Michigan gets their chance at revenge with Florida at the Judi Garmen Classic. That should be a good game at a neutral site location.
February 24th, 2015 at 8:13 PM ^
Classic has been a Top-Tiered Tourney for Softball. It is the Daytona 500, and The Masters for Softball. Most teams are Top 10 Talent. It is a very good method to guage your team for the upcoming League and post-season.
Although I will say that the Easton Bama Bash is shaping up to compete with the Judi Garmen Classic in terms of good ball.
February 24th, 2015 at 5:52 PM ^
One of my regrets from my 7 years at Michigan is that I never got down to see a softball game. Great to hear that they're doing well again.
February 24th, 2015 at 6:37 PM ^
It has been a decade now since they last won the national title, but in that timespan they've been perhaps the most consistent team on campus. This season they will be going for their eighth straight Big Ten championship. You should follow along. It's a lot of fun.
February 24th, 2015 at 8:15 PM ^
Softball is very exciting and typically the team that makes the fewest errors, wins. Every pitch could be the game changer.
February 24th, 2015 at 6:53 PM ^
Congratulations. Keep it going.
February 24th, 2015 at 8:57 PM ^
Would they be rated higher if they had last names?