Softball Rises to #3 in National Polls

Submitted by South Bend Wolverine on

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.

mGrowOld

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.

 

MGoSoftball

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.

South Bend Wolverine

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.

justingoblue

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.

South Bend Wolverine

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.

fritZ

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.

MGoSoftball

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.

 

trueblueintexas

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. 

MGoSoftball

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.

DM2009

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.

ಠ_ಠ

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.