I wasn't there but I'm passing along some observations from a good source. Michigan went 4-0 with two wins over CMU, and one each over WMU and Saginaw Valley. Betsa didn't play apparently still nursing some back issues, but our pitching was still dominant with Blanco and Leah Crockett each pitching two games and giving up a combined two runs for the weekend with one one being earned. No surprise that Crockett was wild at times but she was able to pitch her way out of trouble with near 70 mph heat. Big, big plus if she can contribute this year. Blanco won't be a big K pitcher but had good control, command and movement on her pitches.
Hitting was a bit shaky for a while but the bats warmed up as time went on. Lots of different combinations played but some patterns emerged as far as a possible lineup. Sobczak caught for Crockett and Katie Alexander for Blanco and both caught and hit well with each getting a homer. Sobczak had the tougher job catching Crockett but seems to be improved with balls in the dirt and getting her throws off quicker. Blanco played first when she didn't pitch and mostly Swearingen at first when Blanco did pitch. Falk was the DH most of the time, with Canfield and freshman Madison Uden fighting it out at 2nd with Uden looking better at the moment. Ramirez and Monty have a lock on short and third and Christner nailing down one of the OF spots and sophomore Natalie Peters in the lead for another OF spot. Good chance freshman Haley Hoogenraad might get the nod for the third OF spot.
I don't know why but freshman catcher Abby Skvarce didn't play at all and Amanda Vargas played very little. Freshman Thais Gonzales showed some versatility and may emerge somewhere. It appears this team will have more speed and less power than than what we're used to.
Nothing written in stone here, just a few passed on observations which may be completely different after the DH against the pros on Sept 29.
Hitting was a bit shaky for a while but the bats warmed up as time went on. Lots of different combinations played but some patterns emerged as far as a possible lineup. Sobczak caught for Crockett and Katie Alexander for Blanco and both caught and hit well with each getting a homer. Sobczak had the tougher job catching Crockett but seems to be improved with balls in the dirt and getting her throws off quicker. Blanco played first when she didn't pitch and mostly Swearingen at first when Blanco did pitch. Falk was the DH most of the time, with Canfield and freshman Madison Uden fighting it out at 2nd with Uden looking better at the moment. Ramirez and Monty have a lock on short and third and Christner nailing down one of the OF spots and sophomore Natalie Peters in the lead for another OF spot. Good chance freshman Haley Hoogenraad might get the nod for the third OF spot.
I don't know why but freshman catcher Abby Skvarce didn't play at all and Amanda Vargas played very little. Freshman Thais Gonzales showed some versatility and may emerge somewhere. It appears this team will have more speed and less power than than what we're used to.
Nothing written in stone here, just a few passed on observations which may be completely different after the DH against the pros on Sept 29.
