SB vs LSU in WS Semis: 3:30pm on ESPN

Submitted by MGoSoftball on

I am starting this thread a little early but I wanted to break down our opponent today: LSU.

LSU is 52-13 overall (15-9 SEC).  They were in the top 10 USA Today most of the season; including several weeks at #1 after taking 2 out of 3 at Florida.  LSU took 2 out of 3 from both Kentucky and Tennessee this season.  LSU lost 2 out of 3 to Mizzou and Auburn as well.

LSU is a power hitting team led by Bianka Bell and Bailey Landry.  Bell is hitting .421 with a whopping .802 SLG %.  She has 18 HR and 73 RBIs.   Landry is hitting .429 with a .571 SLG %.  She has 2 HR and 26 RBIs.

LSU will score runs but their weakness is their pitching.  They are led by the duo of Allie Walljasper and Carley Hoover  Walljasper has a season ERA of 1.84.  She has 96Ks and 30 BBs.  Hoover has a season ERA of 1.63.  She has 171 Ks and 69 BB.

The Tigers Pitching will give up some runs but it will not come easy for us.  We need to continue to perform as we have most of the season.  If we get some good and timely hits, the Megan will only need to have a good, not great game to win today.  However, if Megan struggles like she did on Friday, then the offense will need to kick it into the next gear.  My guess is that Megan comes out on fire and the bats keep popping.  

PREDICTION: Michigan 9  LSU 4.

I Like Burgers

May 31st, 2015 at 1:17 PM ^

So I'm new to this whole double elimination softball bracket thing.  I looked at it online this morning, and it just seems confusing as hell.  I get that if Michigan wins, its nice and easy, and they are in the final.  What I couldn't figure out is, what happens if they lose?

justingoblue

May 31st, 2015 at 1:47 PM ^

I'd bet only one or two were in bed with their eyes closed at three. The game ended at 1:50 according to their official Twitter, and they needed to pack up, get back to the hotel, shower (and it's two to a room) and that's assuming they all ate on the bus, nobody needed a trainer, the coaches kept things short and mom/dad/SO made due with a couple texts.

Most of LSU's team probably fell asleep around four and they're either at the stadium already or will be shortly (Michigan supposedly is already).

Also I've seen the NCAA decide to randomly drug test at one in the morning at a regional, and it takes a while. Not saying that happened, but thought I'd share an NCAA dick move.

justingoblue

May 31st, 2015 at 1:36 PM ^

To add on to the other reply, this is the entire rest of the tournament:

If Florida wins they're in the finals, if Auburn wins twice they're in the finals. On the other side, Michigan needs one win to make the finals, LSU needs two. The if necessary games would take place tonight. Whatever two survive will play a best of three series Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday if necessary.

With a double elimination bracket the key is to think of the loss total instead of the wins. LSU needs to deal M two losses, Michigan just needs to tack on one.

Z

May 31st, 2015 at 12:43 PM ^

I wouldn't forget that Betsa pitched a 4 hit shutout against Bama on Thursday - a team that hasn't been shut out all season.

The recent poor outings by Betsa have both been on games where she had pitched the night before.  I'd be shocked if she wasn't in the circle and if she didn't have a great game.

MaizeMN

May 31st, 2015 at 12:45 PM ^

The Wolverines have bludgeoned the opposition 75-16 in the NCAAs.  This MICHIGAN squad has equaled or surpassed every record that the ’05 team amassed and has two battle-tested aces in LHP Wagner and RHP Betsa.

 I think MICHIGAN ultimately prevails 8 – 2. 

MGoSoftball

May 31st, 2015 at 1:15 PM ^

Michigan, Florida, LSU and Auburn are all East of the Mississippi River  So this will be only the 4th time a team from East of the Mississippi wins the Softball World Series.  (Michigan in 2005, Alabama in 2012, and Florida in 2014).

LSU campus is on the banks of the Mississippi and the softball field is a mere 1700 feet East of the river.  Nonetheless, it is east.

MGoSoftball

May 31st, 2015 at 1:44 PM ^

Semi-final game;

Still 0-0 heading into the 3rd.  Auburn had a runner on 3rd and tried to score her on a fly to CF but the perfect throw got her at the plate.  Florida looks weak.

Auburn could not get the runners across in the top of the 1st.

TyTrain32

May 31st, 2015 at 1:57 PM ^

So in wrestling double elimination tournaments once you lose the best you can do is come back for 3rd.
Can someone please explain how we are playing a team from the consolation bracket already even though we havent lost yet?




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grumbler

May 31st, 2015 at 2:46 PM ^

I don't know what's so hard to understand.  We are playing the team that won the cnsolation bracket, and so only has one loss.    If Michigan loses the first game, then it essentially goes into the new consolation bracket and then either team is out with one more loss.  If Michigan wins the first game, the consolation bracket winner is out. That's just how double elimination works.

TyTrain32

May 31st, 2015 at 5:53 PM ^

Ok soooo why dont we finish out the winners bracket and the loser in the final play the one loss team with the winner of the winners bracket getting a bye and a day off while the "2nd" and "3rd" place teams duke it out for the right to play the champ?




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Alton

May 31st, 2015 at 2:58 PM ^

Wrestling isn't double elimination; it is a single elimination tournament with a consolation bracket.  In true double elimination, you aren't eliminated until you lose 2.  So at some point you will have 1 undefeated team and 1 team with 1 loss.  At that point, there's nothing to do but have them play each other until one or the other takes their second loss.

MGoSoftball

May 31st, 2015 at 3:21 PM ^

either call.  The bunt was a great call.  The D is playing back and Romo can do everything.  So why not bunt for a single?  I know she was thrown out but it was a great call by Hutch.  That is why she is the Best coach in the game.

South Bend Wolverine

May 31st, 2015 at 2:23 PM ^

Auburn just grabbed a 2-1 lead over Florida in the top of the 4th on a bases-loaded 2 RBI single.  I doubt they win two, but if they can at least make Florida work, that might be good if we make it through.

Goblueman

May 31st, 2015 at 3:30 PM ^

Hated sports & I was a coach (high school basketball)  also an avid fan of most sports and my couch, all of which was a recipe for 'debates.' I treasure every game I watch now.