Softball lost a pitcher’s duel, 1-0 in 8 innings. It’s a double-elimination format so they still have life.
Osu bench was loud, incessant chatter, and b’tched about every ball-strike call. Ugh. Win tomorrow, go 2-0 to get to the quarters, and guessing that would put us roughly 50/50 to get in? Of course depends on other bubble teams. A win the quarters, most likely vs a top25 RPI team, would then punch our ticket. First things first, have to win on senior day tomorrow. Go Blue
Would lost to Binghamton move needle to get change in softball?
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In my opinion, unless there’s a massive player exodus, or something of the like, Bonnie will get another year. She’s signed her highest-rated pitcher since Storako, Mia Valbuena, and will–again, in my opinion–be given a chance to benefit from that. And Gabby Ellis finally showed enough at the end of the season to seem like a solid starter who can hold down the fort next year until Valbuena gets her legs under her.
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I think if they hired Melissa young former player head coach at duke. They could get back to days the program was under hutch.
Baseball regular season finale this afternoon.
5 seed - Win and Purdue loss
6 seed - Win and Purdue win
7 seed - Loss
If we are the 5 seed, we’ll play Minnesota (if they beat Nebraska today) or Michigan State (if Minnesota loses) in the first round (10 AM Tuesday). Iowa and Illinois are the 8 and 9 seeds.
If we are the 6 or 7 seed, we’ll play either Washington or Rutgers in the first round (6 PM or 10 PM Tuesday). Ohio State or Purdue would also be in the pod.
As for the RPI, we got decent results elsewhere last night and didn’t fall any further from 45, but it’s extremely close.
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I agree. I don’t think anyone is calling for Bonnie to be fired. Despite a dip in recent regular season results, they had won the last two B1G Tournaments going in to last week. The conference did get a LOT together these last two years with the additions of UCLA, Oregon, and Washington.
Presuming they don’t pull off a miracle and win the Oklahoma regional, I’ll allow myself to look at the off-season and next year.
I don’t know how much can be done with NIL but at least there was good retention with the talent they have. I don’t have any inside info but from a vibes-perspective, I think the best returning hitters (Putz, Conway, Stephenson, and Hoehn) are all remaining Wolverines. They do lose some good players to graduation (Langford, Ramey, Vallimont, Erickson, Fantucci, and Ilacqua) so they will be replacing nearly their whole infield and catcher. Two freshman did get significant time on the dirt (Kiley Carr at SS and Siena Snyder at 1B) so I’m guessing they’ll fill those spots, though Snyder struggled at the plate.
I’m not sure who the table-setter will be. Conway has a lot of speed but she also has a lot of pop so you want runners on base for her AB’s.
I think that will be interesting.
@jBdub mentioning that they got a good pitcher coming in will help greatly. Ellis has come on of late and Hoehn still had some good outings this season. I also thought that Haley Ferguson had some good moments. But if Valbuena is legit, it would be great to have a 1a/1b combo like they had with Storako/Beaubien a few years back.
Big picture-wise: Will Michigan ever be a powerhouse again? I think it’s hard to say.
It has been a few years since they’ve hosted a Regional but that goes back beyond when Bonnie took over. I think it was 2018 but it might’ve been '19.
They’re at such a disadvantage when going up against the southern and other warm weather teams and having to play 60-70% of their season away from home.
If the start of the season ever gets pushed back a few weeks that would help tremendously. The Hutch is still one of the better Midwest stadiums and draws good crowds, especially on the warmer days. I’m pretty sure they still outdraw the baseball team.
well, except the poster who literally only comes to this forum a few times a year to say “X women’s coach should be fired”!
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That person is definitely not a former, current, or future Piston!
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Signing day vs graduation?
We have a big inning for Michigan. An RBI single by Carr and a 3-run HR from Putz (her 22nd on the season) have the softballers up 4-0 with 1 out in the bottom of the 3rd.
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What a rough 3 days for baseball. From #36 to now #52 in RPI, and guessing we need to get to at least the semis, probably the final of the BTT to get an at large bid. Looks like Rutgers will be the 10-seed, and the 6-11 is Osu and Wash, I think.
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Another homer and now 6-0 in the bottom of the 5th. Would be great to get a run rule and take care of Kansas quickly tonight.
Beating OU twice would be an incredible feat but play loose, nothing to lose once you get to tomorrow 
6-0 win and a rematch against Kansas in 30 minutes.
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Semis might be enough (if 2-0 to start) but they’re going to need a win against the top 4. Neutral games vs Rutgers, OSU, Washington (probably all Q3) won’t do that much to improve the RPI.
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Erin Hoehn gave up a 3-run HR in the top of the 1st. Let’s see if our bats are still hot.
4 straight hits and it’s 3-2.
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I was big concerned about that top half of the first inning but they’re cooking!
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We’re leading 4-3 after a wild pitch and then wild throw. J-Con scores from first! Still no outs.
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Home run!!! 5-3!