Michigan Softball survives scare
The Michigan Softball team received a scare today from a pesky Northwestern team. It was the conference opener for both teams. Game time temperature was 36 degrees.
NW pitcher Jessica Smith took a perfect game against us into the 4th inning when Colie Sappingfield singled to CF. She was left stranded. Smith allowed only 5 UM hits but we strung enough together to get the 2-1 win. Our record is now 30-2.
In the 5th inning, Caitlyn Blanchard doubled to center. Taylor Hasselbach pinch ran for her and scored on a single by Marley Powers. Marley was left stranded.
Amy Knapp has only 2 HRs this year but the 2nd came when we needed it most. She popped one over the left field wall in the top of the 7th to secure the win.
Colie Sappingfield finished the day 2 for 3 with a stolen base. Amy Knapp only had the 1 hit, Caitlyn Blanchard had a hit and Marley Powers had a hit.
Jordan Taylor gave up 3 hits, struck out 9, walked 2 and had 2 HBP. She pitched out of a jam in the 6th inning when NW had the bases loaded but did not allow a run.
NW scored their only run in the third inning on a single, stolen base then a single. NW is a very good team this year. They are a traditional small ball team. They like to bunt and run. They have a low team slugging percentage so there is no surprise with NW. They tell you every pitch that they are going to bunt and steal. They dare the opponents to stop them.
The two teams play again tomorrow.
way easier than checking MGoBlue for me. GO BLUE!
In Hutch we trust. Go Blue!
to that. She is a master.
MGoSoftball - you make it sound like it was warn there today. I was at the ballgame, and UM was a bit lucky to win this one.
The field temperature was 18 degrees - with the Wind coming off Lake Michigan - it was COLD.
Northwestern had runners on base each of the first 4 innings and were threatening to score each inning. Taylor had her change-up working (that was her strike out pitch today) and was able to get key strikeouts all day for the Maize and Blue.
At the plate, UM wasn't too dangerous hitting a lot of easy Pop ups. So many that Hutch started yelling at the team to hit grounders - keep hitting the "top half" of the ball.
For UM, Blanchard's double to right center was aided by the NW Center fielder crashing into the fence trying to make the catch - she had the ball in her glove when she hit the fence and dropped the ball - the official score was a hit, but that was an error all the way.
Also in the bottom of the 5th inning, Bree Evans made an AWESOME over the should catch (think Willie Mays) to rub NW of an extra base hit.
Of course Amy's Knapp's HR was a shot to Left field, the wind was not holding this one in the house.
Talking to a few coaches afterward, UM was a bit nervous (Big Ten Opener) and was cold, last week they played in 70 degree weather (but so did NW). But, as they say, it is always good to win when you don't play you're best.
I think too Hutch will have a good talk tonight and we'll see more hitting from UM tomorrow.
Go Blue, 30-2 is a great start!
might be warm to the Inuit; however, to girls from California who have played this entire season in Florida in 70 degrees, 36 degrees is just plain cold.
I agree we came out of this game with some luck. Better lucky than good is what momma always says. NW is a good team, albeit a small, quick team. They will certainly be contenders for 2nd place in the Big Ten.
All those early-season trips to warm-weather areas makes a lot more sense in retrospect. Didn't quite put two and two together with those but if the home temperature was 36 degrees before wind chill, that's pretty darn cold.
I agree. Cold is cold. im sure the Freshmen have purple knuckles.
It was way too cold to play softball today.
The game time forecast for Sunday is 31 F with a 30% chance of snow and 12 mph NE wind (coming from Lake Michigan). They seriously need to think about cancelling the game. The discomfort from playing in below freezing temperatures and risk of injury from slipping on a wet field is not worth it. I can't imagine anyone looking forward to playing or watching the game.
BTW, today's BB game between M vs MSU in Ann Arbor was called due to “unsafe field conditions”.
The ladies have already proven that they are tougher than the guys!
but I have seen many a HS baseball game cancelled in early April when the softball team plays. There is one difference in that the softball skinned fields take a lot of water whereas the greass infield of a baseball field can ge slippery when wet.
30-2 and we're only just beginning the B1G season. That's what I like to see out of my Wolverines. Go Blue!