Softball Blanks MSU in Pitchers' Duel
Michigan softball got this rivalry week off to a good start with a 3-0 road win over Michigan State. Offense was again a problem, as a first-inning run scored off a Swearingen bloop single was all Michigan was able to muster until the top of the 7th. Canfield and Falk drove in a pair of insurance runs late, making the final score line a little prettier, but coming on the heels of a weekend of questionable offense in Traverse City, Michigan fans were hoping to see more.
Fortunately, in the circle, the Wolverines were dominant. Michigan State threatened a few times, but was never able to convert. Freshman phenom Meghan Beaubien got the start in the circle, and was just as flawless against Big Ten competition as she was against MAC foes. Beaubien pitched 3 no-hit innings, ceding just one walk while hurling 7 Ks. She has now gone 16 innings without conceding an earned run, during which she has allowed 3 hits and 1 walk, while dishing out 29 Ks.
Freshman Sarah Schaefer and senior Tera Blanco split the rest of the pitching duties, shepherding Michigan through a tight one. Schaefer allowed 2 hits and a walk in 2 innings of work, but also had 3 crucial strike-outs and kept the Spartans off the board. Blanco stepped in the close the show in the 6th, and got the needed outs. MSU put runners on the corners in the 7th, but a big K ended it.
Michigan has one last exhibition game, a home re-match with this same Spartan team on October 12. For those in Ann Arbor, attendance is strongly recommended. Alumni Field is always a great time, and this is a unique chance to see a future star in Beaubien right at the beginning of her career.
October 5th, 2017 at 6:46 PM ^
Some schedule news-
Michigan will open the season in the usual place--the USF Wilson-Demarini Tournament in Tampa.
Games against Florida, Illinois State, UAB, USF on the road and the season opener will be against Georgia State on February 8th in this tournament.
Two weeks later, Michigan will forgo the Mary Nutter this season and will instead go Southwest. Michigan will head to Austin to play in the placeholder named Texas Tournament.
There will be 5 games against Texas, Wichita State, Ohio State and Virginia Tech. The dates will be 2/23-2/25.
A week later is the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton. Michigan will open that tournament on 3/2 with a doubleheader against Louisiana and Baylor.
Still plenty more to be named. Hoping the schedule comes out soon. A portion of our B1G schedule is already known due to the yearly rotations.
Home series: Maryland, Ohio State, Rutgers
Road series: Indiana, Penn State
A quick scan of Nebraska's schedule shows no more midweek rivalry single plays, so the series against state might go back to a 3-game weekend series as it should be.
Speaking of Nebraska, we will not play them this year (their schedule is out). Michigan has NEVER hosted Nebraska in their now 7 seasons in the B1G. Laughable.
October 5th, 2017 at 7:16 PM ^
No, Nebraska still has a midweek rivalry series: a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 10, against Iowa. It looks like the same old 23-game schedule with 17 games in the "division" and 6 crossover games.
October 6th, 2017 at 10:40 AM ^
For the most part, all the mid-week games against your travel partner are played as a single day doubleheader. Only Michigan/Michigan State do a home and home with the games played in different weeks.
October 5th, 2017 at 7:16 PM ^
Another shutout of staee is coming real soon, real soon!
October 5th, 2017 at 7:29 PM ^
October 5th, 2017 at 8:04 PM ^
What time is the game on October 12?
October 6th, 2017 at 9:30 AM ^
Thanks! I'm going to try to get up to AA for this.
October 6th, 2017 at 10:05 AM ^
has signed a 5 year extension and will be the HC until at least 2022. Good news, I think by then she should turn it over to Bonnie Tholl.