Softball Takes Game 1 of Huge OSU Series [Update: PSU Beats Minnesota; Michigan clinches share of crown!]
Before the season started, many pegged this OSU series as one that could determine the Big Ten championship. In those projections, both teams were supposed to still be in the hunt. OSU dropped out of the race early when they suffered a 3-game sweep at the hands of IU, but they still came to Ann Arbor in a position to play spoiler, as (barring a PSU upset over Minnesota) Michigan needs to win the series to clinch a share of the Big Ten crown, and needs all 3 to take the title outright.
OSU struck first in this one, knocking a lead-off home-run over the wall in the top of the 2nd. Michigan didn't waste much time striking back, though, as a 2-out Aidan Falk walk turned into a run on the strength of singles from Taylor Swearingen & Haley Hoogenraad. The Buckeyes grabbed the lead again in the 4th, again on a lead-off solo-shot. After that, though, Meghan Beaubien settled in nicely, allowing just one more hit the rest of the way. Issuing no walks while mowing down 11 via the K, Beaubien was in near-total command apart from the two long balls.
The Wolverines, for their part, weren't done on offense. After loading the bases to no avail in the 4th, the Maize & Blue would turn the tide for good in the bottom of the 5th. Michigan's big bats came through, as Tera Blanco started the inning off with a single, followed by a double from rising star Madison Uden, hero of the IU series. An Aidan Falk walk would load the bases, but a strike-out put the pressure on, as Michigan again faced a 2-out, bases-loaded situation. They wouldn't let this one go to waste, though. Hoogenraad kept her cool & drew a crucial walk to bring in the first run, and then Lou Allan, the freshman with sky-high potential, brought in what would turn out to be the winning run on a single to the short-stop.
The series will continue with games tomorrow at 1 PM and then Sunday at 6. Both will be on BTN, and if you don't already have a ticket, that's your only option, as the whole series has sold out!
I would love to see it but I don't know if the offense is there to make a deep run this year. The pitching could absolutely take them there but there's just so many games where they struggle to plate runs.
But you know what, if they want to pleasantly surprise me like the basketball team and make a run to the national championship series, I won't complain.
I'm cautiously optimistic. As Hutch always says, softball is about pitching & defense, and this team has that in spades. Scratching out enough runs to get the big wins will be tough, but there are enough bats in this line-up that they can definitely get it done. Doing it twice per weekend against elite pitching will be hard, but far from impossible. As long as Beaubien can keep the other teams down to 1 or 2 runs, we've got a chance. If she slips up, we're probably out of luck.
Penn State tied the game in the 7th and has just taken the lead 2-1 over Minnesota in the top of the 8th. Minnesota now has their 5-6-7 batters coming up to try to salvage a win. A PSU upset would clinch at least a share if the title for Michigan.
Upset complete. Win tomorrow and M takes the regular season title!
YES! The championship is back where it belongs - now let's make it OUTRIGHT!
Minnesota goes down. Michigan has clinched a share of the Big Ten title, with 2 games left to win it outright! I just saw that Indiana has lost their first 2 in their series with Rutgers! Geez!
Yeah. Indiana's a bad team. *sigh*
and their record is now 9-39 this season with the win over Minnesota.
without me having to add through every paragraph? I know that sounds lazy but it would be nice.
Also Go Blue and keep kicking some Buckeye ass!!!!
lol, Michigan won 3-2, but had a bunch more baserunners. OSU scored on two solo shots.
Haha, sorry, usually I put it in the title, but I forgot b/c I was trying to get the info in about the series, etc. Fair point, though, it's good to have the key info easy to see.
and SBW, I really appreciate the contribution and updates!!!!
Does anyone have an extra ticket I can buy for either day, preferably Saturday?