SB Remains #14

Submitted by MGoSoftball on

The D1 Softball Rankings were released today by the National Fastpicth Coaches Association (NFCA).  The SB team is ranked #14.  That is about right for a 7-loss team.  We are the highest ranked 7-loss team.  I do not expect much difference when the USA Today/ESPN Poll comes out tomorrow.

Oklahoma remains the #1 and was my preseason pick to face us in the finals.

2. Arizona St.

3. Florida

4. Alabama

5. California

24. Nebraska (only Big Ten Team in the poll)

rob f

March 26th, 2013 at 11:21 PM ^

so far this season.  Too bad they don't have a home game the day of the Spring Football game; I'd love to see me some Michigan Softball this season.

South Bend Wolverine

March 27th, 2013 at 1:42 AM ^

I'd say we have a solid chance, although we won't necessarily be on many people's lists of favorites to be in the final 8.  We've taken a couple of questionable losses, which is what's holding us back in the polls, but we also have some really impressive wins, most significantly over #2 Arizona State.

Our shot rests primarily on the arms of our two sophomore pitchers, Haylie Wagner & Sara Driesenga.  When they are playing their best, there isn't a better one-two punch in the nation, so if they both bring their A-game to the postseason, there's no limit to what we can do.  That said, I am pinning my hopes on next season & the year after, when we'll have an upperclass pitching staff & some of our young guns (Sierra Romero most notably) will have a little more experience.  This team is going to be fun, though, and can go far!

J.Madrox

March 27th, 2013 at 8:51 AM ^

Thanks as always for the updates. Is it safe to assume Michigan is going to roll through conference play relatively unscathed judging by the polls? Or is the team still young and so they will probably drop a few games along the way they should otherwise win?

Scorekeeper

March 27th, 2013 at 12:18 PM ^

UM used to have very little competition in the Big10 in softball. Northwestern was our main rival, but they've struggled with pitching in the past few years and pitching is the most important commodity a team can have.  UM was beat in a Super Regional by Virginia Tech when all they had was a stud pitcher & good defense.

Minnesota has a great sophomore pitcher and even though they don't have hitting they hit/scored plenty this past weekend.

Wisconsin has a good pitcher and is in the top half of the conference. And, newcomer Nebraska is a pretty good team as well.  

Here's the RPI for the season so far (listed below). The teams playing tough competition will be our toughest competition this year.  I'd be surprised if we went undefeated int he conference this year; mostly looking to sweep the series which will also be hard.  We fell behind twice to Purdue but due to their poor defense and somewhat shaky pitching we won.  But, our pitchers were hit pretty hard as well and we made defensive miscues.  We always trade offense for defense, which matters in the World Series, e.g., it can hurt us.

Anyway, here's the RPI rankings I mentioned earlier:

17. Nebraska

18. Michigan

21. Wisconsin

25. Iowa

31. Minnesota

54. Ohio State

61. Northwestern

74. Illinois

78. Indiana

90. Purdue

127. Penn St

138. Michigan State