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Michigan Softball Ready for Redemption at WCWS

By Chris Peterson

Jun 13, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Members of the Oregon Ducks womens team hoist the championship trophy after the Ducks won the team title in the 2015 NCAA Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Members of the Oregon Ducks womens team hoist the championship trophy after the Ducks won the team title in the 2015 NCAA Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ever since Michigan softball saw its 2015 season end in heartbreak in the National Championship game, the Wolverines have been working to get back to the Women’s College World Series. Now, they have their chance at redemption.

The 2015-16 sports campaign has been somewhat disappointing for Wolverine fans, but that could all change soon if the Michigan softball team can complete its mission of winning the Women’s College Word Series.

Related Story: Michigan softball prepares for national title run

Michigan softball, which is led by head coach Carol Hutchins once again, is making its 11th appearance at the WCWS and its second straight. The Wolverines lost to Florida of the SEC in the finals and this year, UM will start its journey against another SEC foe, LSU.

The matchup against the Tigers, who ousted James Madison in the Super Regional, will take place tonight at 8:30 p.m. central time. It will be shown on ESPN2.

Of course, as anyone with knowledge of the tournament knows, the first game is always important. A loss puts you into the loser’s bracket and while the Wolverines would still be alive for a national title with a loss, the road back to the finals would be long and gruesome.

No matter what happens, Michigan softball will need three victories to advance from their bracket, which also includes Alabama and Oklahoma. The teams on the other side of the bracket and the other opening-round games are between Georgia and Florida State, as well as UCLA taking on Auburn.

Florida, which entered the tournament as the top seed, was eliminated by Georgia in the Super Regional, essentially making the Wolverines, the second seed and the highest remaining, the consensus favorite.

Michigan is doing its best to dispel that notion, but it may have become even harder Wednesday after Sierra Romero was named the National Player of the Year.

The Wolverines also had others named to All-American team such as pitcher Megan Betsa and first baseman Tera Blanco, who earned First-Team honors compared to the Second-Team honors bestowed upon Betsa.

With the way the Wolverines can dominate on the mound with Betsa, while at the same time having the most productive offense in the NCAA, it’s easy to see why they are the favorites. Their 4-0 record so far in the NCAA tournament doesn’t hurt either.

Next: Michigan is the favorite at WCWS

We will find out soon enough if the Wolverines can handle the pressure, tune in to see if the Maize and Blue can deliver on their drive for a national championship.

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