2017 Michigan Softball starting lineup notes
It's almost here!!!!!
The 2017 season starts tomorrow. Can you believe it?
#6 Michigan will play this weekend in the Wilson-Demarini Tournament down at USF.
We'll open the 2017 season against Delaware (30-21 in 2016) tomorrow at 11:30am and then face Illinois State (20-33 in 2016) at 2pm.
Saturday, #6 Michigan will meet the hated #4 Florida Gators at 12:30pm, and then take a break before playing the tournament host #25 USF at 5:30pm.
The weekend wraps up early Sunday morning against St. John's (29-20 in 2016) at 9am.
Hutch had her first weekly WTKA segment this morning and mentioned some interesting notes about the starting lineup.
- Alex Sobczak will be the starting Catcher. Biggest question mark on the team heading into the season. Hutch said "she's really grown up since last year". Sobczak lost her starting spot to Aidan Falk after a rough start and saw very little playing time the rest of the year, even in the truckload of blowout wins last season. Read into Hutch's quote if you're wondering why.
- Faith Canfield will be the starting 2B, following the legend Sierra Romero.
- The best hitter since practice officially began has been junior Taylor Swearingen. Pretty interesting given she hasn't seen much time yet.
- The top-4 in the batting order to start the season will be-
- Natalie Peters
- Abby Ramirez
- Kelly Christner
-
Tera Blanco
This reminds me of the lineup from 2011-2012 where we had two slappers--Bree Evans and Nicole Sappingfield--leading off.
- Hutch expects to see innings from sophomore Leah Crockett
- Freshman Haley Hoogenraad will see playing time in the outfield. She had a really good Fall.
February 9th, 2017 at 7:55 PM ^
Any chance of a video feed? Flosoftball doesn't cover this tournament.
February 9th, 2017 at 7:58 PM ^
Not for this weekend unfortunately.
Our games at NC State next weekend will be on ESPN3.
February 9th, 2017 at 8:53 PM ^
WCBN sports will stream the audio for these games, strangely enough. Try www.wcbnsports.org at 11:30 am EST Friday.
It looks like there might not even be live stats for three of the games, only the Illinois State and USF games are listed as having live stats right now.
February 9th, 2017 at 8:57 PM ^
@UMichSoftball on twitter mobile notifications.
They do a great job with updates. Especially when there's no TV option in non-conf.
February 9th, 2017 at 9:02 PM ^
That's the best way to follow them in these early tournaments. There are almost always game time changes, and the twitter feed will keep you up to date.
February 9th, 2017 at 8:17 PM ^
No Sierra Romero means I haz a sad
February 9th, 2017 at 8:55 PM ^
Yeah, me too. I'll miss watching her in at bats in maize & blue (although now I get to watch her in red, white and blue). But the team must move on and so must we.
February 9th, 2017 at 8:55 PM ^
Edit: Apparently, I'll miss her more than I thought.
February 9th, 2017 at 8:23 PM ^
So...
1B Blanco, ?
2B Canfield
SS Ramirez
3B Montemarano
OF Christner, Peters, ?
C Sobzcek
DH ?
P Betsa, Blanco, Crockett
? Swearingen (OF, DH?), Falk (1B/DH/OF?), Vargas (?), Hoogenraad (OF?)
February 9th, 2017 at 8:29 PM ^
Maybe it would be better to have a permanent 1B with Swearingen if she's hitting the best, and have Blanco DH and hit for herself while pitching. This leaves the outfield spot and some DH for Falk and Hoogenrad.
1B Swearingen
2B Canfield
SS Ramirez
3B Montemarano
C Sobzcek
OF Christner, Peters, Falk
P Betsa, Blanco, Crockett
DH Blanco, Hoogenraad
February 9th, 2017 at 8:32 PM ^
Hutch also said Blanco will always be on the field, whether it's as the #2 pitcher or at 1B.
When she's at pitcher, expect TSwear to step in at 1B.
February 9th, 2017 at 8:36 PM ^
February 9th, 2017 at 8:46 PM ^
I knew that, but we've seen plenty of people move to the outfield.. most recently Susalla. It may not be an option, but my thinking was that Falk has earned more playing time as a junior, especially after doing a pretty good job out of position last year at c, than an incoming freshman may deserve.
February 9th, 2017 at 8:58 PM ^
February 9th, 2017 at 11:19 PM ^
Thanks!
February 9th, 2017 at 8:31 PM ^
February 9th, 2017 at 9:01 PM ^
http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/w-softbl/auto_pdf/2016-…
According to this week's release, it's...
C - Sobczak
1B - Falk
2B - Canfield
3B - Montemarano
SS - Ramirez
LF - Richardson or Hoogenraad (Fr)
CF - Christner
RF - Peters
DH - Blanco? Swearingen?
P - Betsa, Blanco, Crockett
My guess for the pitching rotation this weekend: Delaware - Crockett, Illinois State - Blanco, Florida - Betsa; South Florida - Blanco; St John's - Betsa. Betsa will likely pitch an inning or two in relief against Delaware or Illinois State, but Hutch will likely save her for the Florida game.
February 10th, 2017 at 10:51 AM ^
Just announced. So Blanco will be playing 1B, moving Falk to DH. Going with the ace at P to get her some game experience before the Florida game tomorrow.
Peters-RF
Ramirez-SS
Christner-CF
Blanco-1B
Falk-DP
Sobczak-C
Montemarano-3B
Richardson-LF
Canfield-2B
Betsa-P
February 9th, 2017 at 8:43 PM ^
Vargas was going to be more of an impact player than she's been, I hope she has a breakout season.
February 9th, 2017 at 8:44 PM ^
pumped- watched OU lose to Auburn today- my daughter is heading to the Jenny Finch clinic Sunday- pretty pumped for the winter to end
February 9th, 2017 at 8:57 PM ^
February 9th, 2017 at 9:11 PM ^
February 9th, 2017 at 9:13 PM ^
Who cares? It's practice.
Spring belongs to Michigan Softball around these parts. Get with the program.
February 9th, 2017 at 9:19 PM ^
February 9th, 2017 at 11:04 PM ^
February 10th, 2017 at 6:02 AM ^
Over the years I have become a huge fan. More people should check the team out. It is a great way to spend the spring.
February 10th, 2017 at 9:19 AM ^
the drug that carries me through the spring sports doldrums