Blanco, Beaubien Impress as Softball Sweeps Sparty
Michigan softball wrapped up its fall slate tonight with a 3-2 win over Michigan State in front of the home fans at Alumni Field. The offense slopped around yet again, blowing a couple big opportunities, once with a base running error, and later by leaving the bases loaded with a chance to put the game out of reach. Tera Blanco was a bright spot, reaching base in all 3 plate appearances, but we'll need more than that come spring.
Pitching, however, was a different story. Senior Tera Blanco went 3 perfect innings to start the game, pitching 3 strike-outs and looking like a player in total command. Freshman Sarah Schaefer entered in the 4th, and looked a little wobbly. She allowed 2 runs in 2 innings, as MSU closed the gap from 3-0 after 3 to 3-2 after 2.
As the game got a little close for comfort, Hutch sent out her ace to close the show. Emerging star Meghan Beaubien came out in the 6th and shut the door on the Spartans. She did issue a pair of walks in the 6th, but also managed a ground-out, a fly-out, and a strike-out to retire the side. In the 7th, an unlucky dribbler put the tying run aboard with one out, but she would advance no further. A K and a ground-out ended the frame and the game.
Beaubien ends fall play with the following stat line: 18 innings pitched, 4 hits, 3 walks, 32 Ks. It'll be a long winter waiting to see more of this young phenom. Early returns are excellent, though, and sorely needed. With the offense looking doubtful, Beaubien will need to be elite from day one for this team to win the Big Ten and make noise in the playoffs. So far, so good.
Michigan ends fall exhibition play with a record of 6-0.
October 12th, 2017 at 8:39 PM ^
Great write-up. Thanks for the 411. Looking forward to the spring season!
October 12th, 2017 at 10:12 PM ^
Has the freshman Lou Allan played at all ?
October 13th, 2017 at 12:38 AM ^
Pretty sure I saw her name on one or two of the line-ups they tweeted out, but haven't heard anything more than that. If anyone was at any of the games, I'd be happy to hear more from them.
October 13th, 2017 at 8:40 AM ^
October 12th, 2017 at 10:24 PM ^
October 12th, 2017 at 11:35 PM ^
October 13th, 2017 at 4:02 AM ^
she would have to win occasionally.....
October 13th, 2017 at 8:34 AM ^
I think you only have to let them have a lead once in a while and then take it back from them.
October 13th, 2017 at 2:48 AM ^
October 13th, 2017 at 5:07 AM ^
I am a women's softball fan, so don't get me wrong. I have gone to tournaments games all over the country when I can.
But we are again reduced to women's softball as our braggadocio?
October 13th, 2017 at 6:17 AM ^
October 13th, 2017 at 7:10 AM ^
No. 4 in the country, unbeaten in the big 10, Big wins over UNC, Maryland, and most recently totally dominating Standfod on the B1G. Recruiting from all over the world to come to UM pays off--Argentina , the Netherlands,New Zealand, a couple from England (plus four from A2 and one from Dexter for us locals).
October 13th, 2017 at 8:35 AM ^
But shouldn't we dominate Standfod?
October 13th, 2017 at 8:53 AM ^
I would think so! That sounds like some NAIA outfit we normally wouldn't play. I mean, its not even directional!
October 13th, 2017 at 9:16 AM ^
October 13th, 2017 at 5:58 AM ^
Important though to thank Hutchins and her charges for what they have done, especially during the past 10 years.
Let's get back to the series this years!
October 13th, 2017 at 11:22 AM ^
as a pitcher the most improvements are made in the off season. If she improves a little bit in that time she could be a major force for us in the spring as it sounds we will need it as our offense hasn't been very stellar so far.
October 13th, 2017 at 12:40 PM ^
Her name roughly translates as 'pretty well', and so far she's done pretty well.
October 13th, 2017 at 2:54 PM ^
Our fall season isn't wrapped up yet. We play UDM next Thursday, Oct 19, at 4 pm at Alumni Field. I have no idea why it's not on our website, but it is on UDM's website and I was told about it by an usher.
http://www.detroittitans.com/schedule.aspx?path=softball
October 13th, 2017 at 11:54 PM ^
Huh, that's very weird. Haven't heard anything about that matchup. Wonder what the deal is there.
October 14th, 2017 at 7:49 AM ^
I have no idea why UM isn't giving the game any publicity but we added a similar game with UDM a few years ago. Maybe it's more of a scrimmage than a game but it is on UDM's schedule as a game and UM's ushers are scheduled to be there.