The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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After her strong 2013 season, the right-handed Driesenga got off to a bit of a slow start this season. In six starts and 11 appearances, she had a 0-3 record and a 3.19 ERA. "I need to see a little bit more from Sara and Megan so I can make better decisions," Hutchins said. "Right now, I am not sure who is going to come in and be ready to go. I am just giving people opportunities, and nothing is set in stone yet. Having a third right now gives us a lot of great options." VETERAN PITCHERS LEAD BASEBALL SQUAD At this point last year, Ballantine had worked his way into the week- end starting rotation — which had been his goal since he first joined the Wolverines. Looking back, the 6-8, 250-pound right-hander said he was too incon- sistent of a pitcher at the time. He was eventually replaced in the weekend rotation, and took over Tuesday night starts. He made five starts and seven ap- pearances, posting a 1-1 mark and a 2.62 ERA while allowing 20 hits in 24 innings of work. Unfortunately, his season was cut short by a nasty ankle injury, which it took him most of the summer to rehab. When the Wolverines began fall ball this year, Ballantine, staring at his fi- nal year of eligibility for the Maize and Blue, knew that he wanted to take advantage of the opportunity. "It was definitely tough to have something that you worked so hard for and to not get those opportunities anymore," Ballantine said. "It lights a fire a little bit beneath you and gets you to direct your focus a little more on your improvement. Being comfort- able in the rotation, you might not be as focused on the little things. But I didn't let it affect me. "I embraced coming out of the bull- pen and approached every outing the same way. In practice and everything, I had my focus directed on what to do to get that spot back." Although Michigan returned all four players that notched 10 or more starts during the 2013 season, Ballan- tine was determined to get back into the limelight. Bakich saw an immedi- ate change when Ballantine returned to the mound in the fall. "He has added a slider. He didn't have that before, but really the main thing is confidence," Bakich said. "You see him, he's up to 250 pounds and he knows he's good. He is confi- dent in his ability, and he looks it on the mound. His presence out there is indicative of it. "Every time Ben pitches, he gives us a chance to win. He throws strikes, pounds the zone, works fast. He lets his defense work. At 6-8, there is enough deception with his delivery and what he is throwing that, whether it be the perceived velocity or the height of the angles at which he is throwing, hitters don't always pick it up very well." Through March 16, Ballantine had been the most consistent pitcher on the team, with a 1-0 record and 2.08 ERA in five starts. He had surren- dered just 20 hits and struck out 27 in 30 1 ⁄3 innings of work. "It's awesome, and it is important