Threepeat x2

Hail!

Softball photo from MGoBlue.com

Lacrosse photo from MGoBlueLacrosse.com

Wallpaper Wednesday: Softball 2010

With one series at Iowa left to play, the #2 ranked Wolverine softball team sits firmly in the driver’s seat (16-1) for the conference title. Michigan is the two-time defending Big Ten champion and they are headed for an unprecedented Big Ten three-peat. This has never been done by Michigan. These girls have put up video game type numbers, with a .356 team average with 29 home runs combined with a 1.33 ERA with 155 strikeouts and just 52 hits allowed through 100 innings pitched.

Wow. Just Wow.

Game On !

I was going to do a "Know your Foe" for Alabama for the WCWS game tonight. But I just didn't have the research time or the interest in the history of Alabama to follow thru. I did find this interesting story : all but four buildings for the original University of Alabama were burned to the ground in April of 1865 by Union Troops led by Brigadier General John T. Croxton. This was the same month the war officially ended and seemingly there was no real reason to do it... expect just prior to the start of the Civil War (in 1860) the state government of Alabama transitioned the University into a full-time military academy supplying trained officers to the Confederate Army. Pay back is a bitch.

Rather than spend hours researching other nuggets of Alabama's rebel and racist past -- I chose instead to focus on the positive and make a special WOMEN'S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES wallpaper.

Go Blue !!!
Beat 'Bama.

Softball College World Series

Congrats to the Michigan Softball team for punching their ticket to the Softball College World Series. The fifth-seeded Wolverines beat Baylor 8-1 and 7-1 in the Super Regional (best two-out-of-three series). This is our first trip back to the Women's College World Series since the 2005 National Championship season. It was an important win for the program, because ensured that every player who has come through the Michigan softball program since 1992 will have reached at least one College World series.

Sophomore first baseman Dorian Shaw provided all the offense we needed in Game One. She tied a school record with 3 HRs. In Game Two, Sophomore Jordan Taylor struck out 13 Bears clinching the Super Regional win.

Our first game is scheduled for Thursday against Alabama. We will need all the offense we can deliver. Alabama’s Kelsi Dunne threw two no-hitters in their Super Regional games against Jacksonville State. Yikes.

Softball Big 10 Champs

Congrats to the Michigan softball team. They won the Big 10 championship on Friday night when they beat MSU.

Junior LHP Nikki Nemitz struck out 11 total Spartans, including eight of the last 11 batters she faced.

The Wolverines finished the season at 41-10. They will host the NCAA regional tournament next weekend against Notre Dame, Miami (Ohio), and Cleveland State.

Ring Around the Buffet Table

It has been a while since I have taken a trip to the buffet table, so here we go...

• The Athletic Department confirmed the long standing rumor that there is a hockey game planned for Michigan Stadium. Expect to play Sparty on December 10, 2010. The marketing opportunities for this are endless, we can only hope the weather cooperates.
• Red Berenson signs a contract and the Hockey team prepares for the CCHA playoffs on Friday March 13th at Yost.
• As a kid, beside Ohio State, my least favorite teams were the NY Yankees, Boston Celtics, and the Montreal Canadians. The Canadians took a huge step towards cementing themselves in the rear of my list. I am glad their 100th season has turned into a nightmare. I hope they have many more to come.
• Desmond Howard, Rob Lytle, and Curtis Greer are on the 2009 ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame. Inductees will be announced on April 30th. I expect Desmond will get in easily.
• The Michigan Baseball team is 7-2, with all 9 games played somewhere in Florida. Coach Rich Maloney got his 500th win this week. They play Siena today and a doubleheader tomorrow in Port St, Lucie. Sunday they take on the NY Mets. The first home game of the season is March 20th. Brrrrrrrr.
• The Michigan Softball team is in Louisville this weekend for a tourney. They are 13-5 and ranked #6 in the nation. Their first home game is March 28th.
• Barring a miracle run the B10 Tourney, the Michigan Basketball team is likely headed to the NIT. Yawn.
• Last weekend was a tough one for the Penn State baseball team. They lost all four of their games to Texas, were shutout twice, scored a total of four runs, and got no-hit (by a former Phils draft pick) on Sunday. Ouch.

Spring Sports Start Strong

Despite the snow and freezing temperatures here, Coach Hutch and the Women of Softball have started their season.
They are now ranked #6 in the nation, having won 8 of their first 10 games.

They mercied Saint Louis 12-1 at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic this week after sophomore Marley Powers (Soph. Owosso, MI) crushed a game-ending grand slam in the bottom of the 6th.
They play in the Seminole Classic this weekend in Talahassee.

Hutch has another young team this year with only 2 seniors: Shortstop Teddi Ewing and Outfielder Megan Gregory. Her pitching line-up maybe the best in the Big Ten with Nikki Nemitz coming off of back-to-back 20 win seasons, Big Ten Freshman of the Year Jordan Taylor, and Lauren Taylor in reserve.

Home games begin with the season opener on March 28th against Loyola (Ill.) Dress warmly and come cheer on these winners!