Michigan Wolverines
Overall Rank: #5
Conference Rank: #1 Big Ten
Michigan enters the 2012 season after winning their fourth straight Big Ten regular season championship, the Wolverines 14th in 19 years. Head Coach Carol Hutchins earned her 12th Big Ten Coach of the Year honor in 2011 and, in her 27th season, led her team to its 17th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Michigan fell one game short of reaching a Super Regional, dropping their Regional final game to Kentucky. Replacing USA National team pitcher and All-American Jordan Taylor and slugger Dorian Shaw will be a challenge, but the return of seven of the top nine hitters, two-thirds of the pitching staff and a strong freshman class should help.
2011: 53-6, 18-2
2011 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Carol Hutchins, 28th Season
Field Players:
Big Ten Player of the Year Amanda Chidester comes back for her senior season after leading her team in hitting (.423) last year. The third baseman earned her second All-American honor at Michigan. She was All-American in 2009 as well. In 2011 she belted 13 home runs, slugged .709 and knocked in 75. Outfielder Bree Evans hit .411, leading the team with 86 hits. The senior was selected All-American and All Conference. Sophomore Nicole Sappingfield hit .387 in 53 games in her rookie year. The outfielder was All-Conference in 2011 hitting .400 in league play. Second baseman Ashley Lane hammered 18 home runs in 2011, helping her earn All-American recognition last year. The senior collected 60 hits, 32 of them for extra bases. Lane hit .345 and had 71 RBI.
Pitchers:
Junior Stephanie Spelerman will likely serve as the Wolverine ace in 2012. As a sophomore, the right handed hurler started 25 games, going an impressive 18-1 with a 1.88 ERA. Senior Hillary Payne threw in seven games last season and was 4-0 with a 2.51 ERA.
Who to Watch:
Heralded freshman pitcher Sara Driesenga will look to fill the void left by Taylor’s graduation. At Hudsonville High she earned numerous local and national accolades including 2011 Michigan Miss Softball, 2011 Under Armour All-American game MVP, four time All-State and 2010 ESPN National Junior Player of the Year. The two-time State Champ had a prep career 0.40 ERA and 945 strikeouts. At the plate, over four years, she hit .504 and mashed 31 home runs. Catcher Lauren Sweet joins Michigan from Santiago High School where she was selected California Miss Softball as a senior. The 2011 Under Armour All-American hit .496 with 15 home runs.
Final Projection:
Coach Hutchins’ veteran group is poised to continue the Wolverines’ consistent domination of the Big Ten. A strong offensive engine returns with three All-Americans to provide the spark and power. Spelerman will need to respond in the circle, but the history of Hutchins pitchers says that is likely. The freshman class is outstanding. Look for Driesenga and Sweet to make immediate impacts and help guide Michigan to its fifth straight Big Ten title, its 18th consecutive NCAA Tournament and a run at their second Women’s College World Series Championship.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Bree Evans, OF, 209
Hits: Bree Evans, OF, 86
Home Runs: Ashley Lane, 2B, 18
RBIs: Amanda Chidester, 3B, 75
Runs: Bree Evans, OF, 63
Stolen Bases: Nicole Sappingfield, OF, 6; Amy Knapp, INF, 6; Lyndsay Doyle, OF, 6
Wins: Stephanie Spelerman, RHP, 18
Innings Pitched: Stephanie Spelerman, RHP, 122.2
Strikeouts: Stephanie Spelerman, RHP, 109
Saves: Stephanie Spelerman, RHP, 1
Madness 2012 NPF Draft Rankings:
#10 Amanda Chidester
#12 Bree Evans
Madness 2012 Softball Recruit Rankings:
#10 Sara Driesenga
#26 Lauren Sweet
#41 Haylie Wagner
