The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/480355
"She's got tools. She's at times a freak of nature, because she's not that big in stature, but she's incredibly strong, with quick hands. Oftentimes, her mechanics aren't as good as they need to be, but she has a wherewithal that a lot of players don't have. What helps her be great is understanding the game." Meanwhile, Hutchins often re- minds inquiring minds that Romero isn't a one-woman team, and that's certainly the case. Junior utility player Kelsey Susalla hit .397 with eight doubles, six home runs and 29 RBI through March 15. Lawrence was cranking along at .367, with 23 RBI, and Christner was bat- ting .365 with six home runs and 15 RBI. As a team, Michigan hit .338 through its first 28 games, scoring 210 runs (7.5 per game) and slamming 48 home runs. The Wolverines can score in bunches, and that's not Hutchins' issue. "We're a good hitting team, as good a hitting team as we've had," she said. "But again, good hitting teams can be shut down by good pitching. We need the ability to manufacture runs." It didn't happen three times earlier in the non-conference slate. Michigan lost to No. 1 Florida 2-1 in the season opener at the USF Softball Classic in Tampa, Fla. The Wolverines then ram- paged through 19 straight wins, in- cluding eight mercy-shortened affairs. One tough day at the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, Calif., brought U-M's loss total to three. The Wolver- ines couldn't score against No. 22 Ari- zona State, falling 2-0, and couldn't contain Florida in a second game that day, losing 7-4. Not only do the Wolverines need to manufacture runs better, they need pitchers to step forward forcefully, Hutchins insisted. The candidates are certainly there. Senior lefty Haylie Wagner stood 9-2, with a 2.02 ERA. Sophomore Megan Betsa rolled into mid-March with an 11-2 record and a 1.61 ERA. "I don't think we have a No. 1 at this point," Hutchins said. "Who are we going to throw in the biggest game? I don't know. They're both ca- pable. We certainly need Sara [Dries- enga] back. We need her back, and we expect to get her back, but it's going slower than we thought. "I'd like somebody to step up and, when it's a 0-0 game, say 'I'll do it. I'll take the ball.' Not get nervous. We don't pitch as well as I'd like when we get a lead. We get a lead, and all of a sudden they get a walk, or get hit by a pitch. We've got to have a little better trust and just stay in our process better." Driesenga, a senior, went 4-0 with a 0.78 ERA before succumbing to in- jury. With or without her, Michigan needs to step to a higher level in the clutch, according to its coaches. "I learned that when it's sunny and 70, we're really good, and we have a lot of power," Hutchins noted of Michigan in non-conference play. "But big-swinging teams can be taken down by smart pitching. "We need to be tougher on the mound." Despite considerable success, the