The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MAY 2023 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 15 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS FIVE YEARS AGO, 2018: Michigan's softball team blanked Illinois Chicago 6-0 in an NCAA Regional elimination contest in Lexington, Ky., on May 19, 2018. Freshman lefty Meghan Beaubien dominated through her five innings of work in the pitcher's circle, striking out nine batters and yielding not a single hit. Freshman right-hander Sarah Schaefer finished up, surrendering a seventh-inning infield single, but striking out the next two hitters to complete the combined shutout. Michigan's offense scored in four separate innings to rack up more than enough runs to put away UIC. Tera Blanco's two- run homer in the top of the third inning gave the Wolverines a 3-0 lead, and they were able to cruise to the win behind the fierce pitching effort. "If they wanted things to change, we had to change our approach and our mindset, and it started with Meghan Beau- bien," Michigan head coach Carol Hutchins said. "She did it. She turned herself back around and I think that gives the team confidence." 10 YEARS AGO, 2013: Hutchins' crew nailed down a spot in the Women's College World Series on May 25, 2013, edging Louisiana Lafayette 2-1 in a decisive NCAA Super Regional contest in Ann Arbor. Michigan senior Ashley Lane supplied the runs U-M needed to win, drilling a two-run double in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Wolverines hadn't scored in the previous nine in- nings they'd played, losing 5-0 to Louisiana Lafayette earlier in the day. Sophomore right-hander Sara Driesenga did the rest, step- ping in for sophomore pitcher Haylie Wagner, who was a late injury scratch from the lineup. Driesenga tossed a complete- game 4-hitter, striking out 7. She gave up the 1 run in the fourth, on a hit, a walk and a Michigan error. Lane came through the very next inning, helping Driesenga to her 30th win of the season and sending Michigan to the WCWS in Oklahoma City. "I think Sara's twice the pitcher she was last year," Hutchins said. "And the one thing that you just have to experience is experience. She got a lot of experience this year, and it's made her better. She's had great moments, and she's had tough mo- ments. But you don't get better without tough moments." 25 YEARS AGO, 1998: Tom Brady emerged from Michi- gan's spring football practices as the expected starter at quar- terback for the Wolverines, following three seasons of playing backup. Brady battled his way through the spring and into May player practices expecting to take over following the '97 national championship season. "Tom Brady has paid his dues," said U-M coach Lloyd Carr. "He has worked extremely hard. He's a bright guy, he has a good arm, and he has the respect of his teammates. I'm anx- ious to see Tom play. He's got all the right stuff." Brady looked to gain the No. 1 spot over fifth-year senior Scott Dreisbach, a 15-game starter, third-year performer Jason Kapsner and freshman phenom Drew Henson. "They're all competing," said Carr. "You compete every day and you get better because you don't know what's going to happen. I've seen two quarterbacks go down in one quarter. In my judgment, you don't have to worry about where you are on the depth chart; you have to be ready when your time comes." — John Borton THIS MONTH IN MICHIGAN ATHLETICS HISTORY After playing in only four games during the prior season, Tom Brady won the starting job at quarterback for the Wolverines during 1998 spring practices. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY