M Softball gets 1st Mercy Rule Win of 2012; 10-2 over EMU

Submitted by MGoSoftball on

The Michigan Softball Team had its first Mercy-Rule win today against EMU at Alumni Field.  Today's game was not on the schedule; however, after two games in the Judi Garman Classic were canceled due to rain, Coach decided to get one in before the Big Ten Season.

Sara Driesenga got the win.  She pitched 5 innings, gave up 2 unearned runs (0 ER) off 3 hits.  She struck out 3 and walked none.  She helped herself with the bat as well by going yard with a runner on base.  She finished the game 1 for 2 with 2 RBIs and a run scored from the round tripper.

Chiddy hit a grand slam in the 8 run, 3rd inning.  She ended up 1 for 2 with the 4 RBIs and the run scored from the dinger.  Bree went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored.

Coach continues to juggle the lineup.  She had Chiddy at 1st, Steph and 3rd and Amy at SS.  Colie was batting in the 9 hole and Lauren was batting in the 8th slot.

Not to shabby for the first game at home this year.  It was nice to get a tune-up prior to the Big Ten season.

Blue Dragon?  You know what to do.

mgokev

March 21st, 2012 at 8:56 PM ^

Question: since it wasn't on the schedule, is it considered an exhibition game or does the win actually count toward the season W/L record? In theory, could coaches all over the country just agree to play impromptu games at the last minute that affect season results?

justingoblue

March 21st, 2012 at 9:01 PM ^

Any pointers for megangoblue? It was a rough day today, she let up one earned run and picked up a loss (although they did win their first game) in a game with a future M opponent.

Wolverine Devotee

March 21st, 2012 at 10:32 PM ^

An interesting thing I found out this morning: next season, the B1G season will be all 3 game series over a weekend. Game on Friday-Saturday-Sunday.

Also, the B1G Tournament will be revived after a 4 year hiatus.

The next time Michigan will play eastern will May 1st and the game will be live on BTN.

In reply to by Wolverine Devotee

MGoSoftball

March 21st, 2012 at 10:41 PM ^

to happen with Nebraska joining the fold.  It just doesnt make sense to travel all that distance only for 2 games, one on Sat and one on Sun. 

Now the team can take a bus Friday after class and get to just about every B1G campus in 6 hours (save Nebraska) get to bed at midnight then up to play 2 games starting at 1 and 3pm on Saturday.  Then play the Sunday game at 11am.  They will be back in A2 by 8pm on Sunday and have 3 games in.

In terms of the B1G Championship Game, I am indifferent.  It is meaningless because success will be measured on the entire body of work, not just one game or one tourney.

Wolverine Devotee

March 21st, 2012 at 11:04 PM ^

This morning per Hutch today on WTKA FWIW.

The reason I'm glad the tournament is back is so Michigan can get some more hardware. Plus more televised games and more home games when the tournament rotates to A2.

d3k2goblue

March 22nd, 2012 at 12:37 AM ^

Hopefully, this allows the hitters to relax and swin easy at the plate.   

Are the two unearned runs a concern, or was that due mostly to mixing up the defense?  I recall that we were not sharp defenisvely in some of the earlier games.

justingoblue

March 22nd, 2012 at 12:58 AM ^

First, I think MGoSoftball made an error in the OP. From MGoBlue, there were four hits and one earned run on Driesenga's pitching.

Second, looking at the play-by-play, M got beat in the first (whether that is due to the changes or just getting beat I won't attempt to comment on) the way a lot of runs are scored on good teams: by getting someone on base and sacrificing/stealing to get that runner home. The second run was off a SS error; again, attribute this to changes or to the fact that SS's will probably have more errors than most other positions as a fact of life (i.e. Denard will probably miss Roundtree more than anyone else this season since he's projected as the number one receiving threat).