M SB Starts slow; finishes strong in 10-2 win over CMU

Submitted by MGoSoftball on

The Michigan Softball team boarded the bus today and headed up US 23 to M-10 and over to Mt Pleasant.  It is a home and home (year over year) with the Chips (my second favorite college team).

We started off a tad slow today.  The Chips took a 2-1 lead into the top of the 6th inning.  However, Margo Jonker could not keep the wheels greased as the wheels fell off.  We scored 9 runs en route to a 6th inning mercy-rule win.

Sara Driesenga was the starter today.  She gave up 1 ER off 5 hits.  She struck out 2 and did not walk anyone.  She was relieved by Haylie Wagner after 3 complete.  Haylie finished with almost identical numbers: 1 ER off 5 hits with 4 Ks and 0 BB.  Haylie go the win to improve to 22-4.  What more can we ask of this young lady?  If Haylie is not in the discussion for Freshmen of the Year, I will be highly irritated to say the least.

The offense was led by Colie Sappingfield.  She went 3 for 4 with an RBI and 2 runs scored.  I noticed against moo u, Colie was seeing the ball much better.  Coach put her in the #2 slot today,  Ashley Lane went 1 for 4 with 3 RBIs and a run scored. Chiddy went 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs and a run scored.  Sara hit a double over the CF head.  I love watching this kid with the bat.  She swings with authority.  She may be in a mini-slump in the circle but she still contributes day in and day out.

We still struggle as a team with consistent hitting.  Its nice to see us sting together some hits but we need to spread the hits out and knock teams out early.  Its nice to see Chiddy swing the big bat.  She is not happy with her performance this year but after the year she had last year, a let-down was inevitable.  It is difficult to maintain that level of play over 2 seasons.

I was the Manager for the Chip's Club Team for a couple of years while my daughter played there.  I really like the CMU campus and Kelly Shorts Field is a fun place while our boys are away.

 

 

 

 

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Sara Driesenga
haylie Wagner

justingoblue

April 17th, 2012 at 10:48 PM ^

Pitcher A starts a game and is pulled in the fifth inning leading 3-2. Pitcher B comes into the game, lets up a run to make the score 3-3 before winning 4-3. Is Pitcher A the one entitled to the win, or should B end up awarded the win?

Joined: 11/16/2010

MGoPoints: 29741

MGoSoftball

April 17th, 2012 at 10:53 PM ^

This exact thing happened to Verlander on Opening Day.  He had a 3-2 lead going into the 9th.  Valverde came in and let in a run to tie the game in the top of the 9th.  The Tigers came back in the bottom of the 9th for the win.  Valverde gets the win even though he let in the tying run.

Once a game is tied, the previous pitcher is no longer the pitcher of record.

Joined: 10/18/2010

MGoPoints: 8892

South Bend Wolverine

April 17th, 2012 at 11:05 PM ^

I know this is the rule, but doesn't it seem like something that should obviously be changed?  I mean, Verlander goes 8 scoreless innings and gets nothing (stats-wise), Valverde gives up a pair in one inning of work, and for some reason he gets the W.  In what world does that make sense?  In games that end up w/ 3 or more pitchers, I could see giving the W to the 3rd (or 4th, etc.) pitcher.  In games with only two pitchers, though, there really should at least be some discretion re: who gets the win.

Joined: 09/11/2009

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