Michigan Softball Begins Today (6:00pm ESPN+)
Michigan Softball begins today with the Wolverines traveling to Tampa to take on the University of South Florida. The game starts at 6:00pm (EDT) and is being broadcast on ESPN+.
The Wolverines are not ranked in the preseason Top 25, which is unusual for such a storied club. Gone is legendary Head Coach Carol Hutchens, who retired at the end of last season. Taking over is longtime assistant Bonnie Tholl. Assistant Coach/Pitching Coach Jen Brundage returns to watch over the pitching staff, along with Volunteer Coach (and former Wolverine standout) Faith Canfield returning. Michigan icon Amanda Chidester was hired over the summer and will serve as Assistant Coach.
The roster is full of new faces, with graduation and transfers decimating the Wolverine roster. The pitching staff was hit the hardest with the graduation of ace Meghan Beaubien, along with the shocking 0transfer of Alex Stork (Oklahoma) and Annabelle Widra (Auburn). Pitching will now consist of a combination of Junior Jessica LeBeau, Sophomores Lauren Derkowski and Emerison Aiken along with Grad Transfer Hannah George (UNC).
Back for another round are Grad Students Lexi Blair and Melina Livingston, along with incoming Grad Transfer Ellie Malaya (BC). The heart of the Wolverines looks the same with familiar names like Audrey LeClair, Keke Tholl, Ellie Seller and Ella McVey solidifying a rather young team. Newcomers Maddie Erickson, Lilly Vallimont, Janelle Ilacqua, Avery Fantucci. Madi Ramsey, and Indiana Langford are members of a large Freshman class. The experience of this year's squad will be tested, with several Freshmen expected to contribute. Missing from this year's squad is Kaylee America Rodriguez, who is battling cancer. Prayers for Kaylee as she tries to recover to join her sisters on the field.
The Wolverines then make a hop over to The Spring Games in Leesburg, Fl to take on Colgate on Friday afternoon (1:30pm - FloSoftball), then a doubleheader against Western Kentucky on Saturday (11:00am and 1:30pm - FloSoftball), and wrapping up with Portland State on Sunday (9:00am - FloSoftball).
Go Blue!
February 9th, 2023 at 5:47 PM ^
Good write-up, also catcher Hannah Carson made a grad transfer to LSU, and pitcher/utility player Lauren Esman transferred to Alabama.
February 9th, 2023 at 6:01 PM ^
Coach Bonnie is about to kickoff a coaching campaign that we have not seen since - Coach Hutch.
Go Blue!
February 9th, 2023 at 7:09 PM ^
I have a good feeling this team will surprise.
Shock the World.
Go Softball !
Go Blue!
February 9th, 2023 at 7:41 PM ^
Wolverines strike first to go up 1-0 in the 6th inning.
February 9th, 2023 at 8:43 PM ^
Tough one, lost to USF in 8 innings by a score of 2-1.
February 9th, 2023 at 8:47 PM ^
...on a wild pitch.
February 9th, 2023 at 8:53 PM ^
Welp it looks like we have the same problem as last year I know its early but I watched the game and we have 1 Hitter (Blair) who went 0 fer ..We used to have 3,4,5 BIG hitters but the last couple of years we have 1,,Recruiting has been off the last couple of years,, WE NEED HITTERS!!
February 9th, 2023 at 10:54 PM ^
This incoming freshman class was ranked 6th in the country and Vallimont/Fantucci were the #5 and #6.
https://www.michigandaily.com/softball/bonnie-tholl-brings-a-strong-freshmen-class-in-first-season/
February 10th, 2023 at 9:22 AM ^
Unfortunately it will be more of the same until they either sign better power hitters, or develop their hitters better. Lack of offense has hindered this program for at least 5 years. Hopefully it was first game jitters, and the bats will warm up.
February 10th, 2023 at 11:56 AM ^
No doubt Lillian and Avery should be really good, I would also take the Extra Innings rankings with a grain of salt. They have over 144 girls in their Top 100 list with numerous spots having multiple girls tied for a spot, and then they don't even do it like golf leaderboards where however many are tied, makes the next slot that many down.
In addition to that, they just signed a girl in the 2024 class who is the 29th recruit in the country but somehow the 22nd best out fielder in her class. There's no way you can convince me 22 of the top 29 girls are playing outfield in 2024 and that only 7 girls playing infield/catcher/pitcher fill the remaining spots.
Was hoping Lillian was going to be part of the power solution this season, but it looks like she's hurt and wasn't in uniform last night, as well as not being mentioned when Bonnie was asked about the newcomers to the roster with Sam Webb. I like they at least took a few kids last class with power potential in Maddie Erickson, Madi Ramey, and Lillian Vallimont. If any of them work out, who knows. Please help us Chiddy.
February 9th, 2023 at 10:11 PM ^
Just doesn’t look any different from the last 5 seasons. No clutch hitting.
February 10th, 2023 at 7:11 AM ^
Sorry to hear about the tough loss last night. We'll cheer for a better result today. I wish they had a free streaming service so the team and Coach Tholl could get better exposure especially since there are no games in Ann Arbor for quite some time.
February 10th, 2023 at 8:33 AM ^
Go Blue! Wishing the “new” staff and roster much success this season…
February 10th, 2023 at 5:20 PM ^
Bonnie was the safe choice after all those years working for Hutch but personally I would have made a run at JT Gasso at Oklahoma. He is the son of Head Coach Patty Gasso and their hitting coach. Nobody hits like Oklahoma. Saw him at a clinic a couple of years ago and the guy is very scientific in his hitting techniques. He could have helped with bringing in some Southern recruits along with some instant name recognition to the program.
February 10th, 2023 at 7:01 PM ^
Yeah I was honestly hoping they would go outside the program to shake things up.
February 11th, 2023 at 1:17 AM ^
Alex Storako is neat