The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/703389
delivered a painful reminder about the difficulty in securing a title, fail- ing to make it out of its Super Re- gional this season. The early exit served only to heighten anticipation among Michi- gan followers that 2016 could wind up like 2005 revisited. But it's not that easy. It never is. "You know, we set really high ex- pectations for our student-athletes, and if you're going to wear the Block M, you're going to wear it right," Hutchins said. "You're going to learn the minute you walk in the door that this isn't about you, this is about Michigan, and your job, your duty, and the reason we bring you to Michigan and give you the op- portunity of your lifetime is to help make Michigan great. And our kids embraced that and they epitomize it. This senior class has done nothing but both of those things. They have done nothing but represent Michi- gan. I'm very, very proud of that." After opening this year 's Wom- en's College World Series with a 2-0 shutout against LSU, the Wolverines dropped a 7-5 decision to eventual national champion Oklahoma. They then exited all too quietly in a 1-0 shutout by Florida State ace Jessica Burroughs. Betsa proved brilliant, for the most part. One inning — featuring three FSU walks and the Seminoles' only hit of the game — made all the difference. "Megan just pitched her guts out," Hutchins said afterwards. "She did Junior pitcher Megan Betsa helped lead Michigan to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City after going 28-5 in 43 appearances this spring. PHOTO BY DARYL MARSHKE/MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY