Michigan at Illinois (Illinois 9.5 favorite)
This game is huge for these two bubble teams, as they both come in needing to win to help improve their stock for the NCAA Tournament. Michigan comes in on a hot streak, having won five of their last six games, while the Illini have lost six of their last nine, including Sunday's game against Purdue, a game they led at halftime by 15.
Unlike other teams fighting for a tournament bid, three of the Wolverines top four players are either freshmen or sophomores. Guard Darius Morris leads the team in both points and assists with 15.4 and seven. Tim Hardaway Jr., sun of legend Tim Hardaway, is having quite the debut season, putting up 13 ppg and pulling down four boards. Zack Novak is scoring 9.3 points and a game and leads the team with six boards a game, while Jordan Morgan is getting nine and four.
Illinois needs to straighten up the ship now, because their time is running out. The main key is getting Demetri McCamey interested in playing basketball again. He seems to disappear in games and that's not what a team is looking for from its senior. Some good things for the Illini is that Brandon Paul, Jereme Richmond, Meyers Leonard and D.J. Richardson are now playing better and the future does look bright. After scoring in double digits only five times in the teams' first 17 games, Paul has now exploded by scoring in double digits in five of the last eight games, including three 20+ point outings. Prediction: Michigan pulls out a 78-75 road win
Showing posts with label University of Michigan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label University of Michigan. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Rivalry Week Part 2
Michigan-Ohio State
The annual match up between the two Midwest state schools has been held at the end of the regular season since 1935 (with exceptions in 1942, 1986, and 1998). Since 1918, the game's site has alternated between Columbus, Ohio, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, and has been played in Ohio Stadium since 1922 and Michigan Stadium since 1927. Through 2009, Ohio State and Michigan have decided the Big Ten Conference championship between themselves on 22 different occasions, and have affected the determination of the conference title an additional 26 times.
The inaugural meeting between Ohio State and Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1897 resulted in a lopsided victory for Michigan, with the Wolverines posting a 34–0 win over Ohio State's Buckeyes. The first game foretold a long Michigan winning streak, with Michigan winning or tying every match from 1897 to 1912 and thereby compiling a 12–0–2 record before the contest was postponed for several years. The Ohio State Alma Mater "Carmen Ohio" was written on the train ride home to Columbus following the 1902 contest, which saw Ohio State losing to Michigan, 86–0. The lyrics and melody (Spanish Chant) have remained largely unchanged since its conception.
The 1950 contest, known as the Snow Bowl, is perhaps the most famous game in the rivalry. Eighth-ranked Ohio State was scheduled to host the game on November 25 in Columbus amidst one of the worst blizzards on Ohio record. The Buckeyes, who led the Big Ten, were granted the option to cancel the game against Michigan, which would have, by default, given the Buckeyes the Big Ten title outright and won them a trip to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl. Ohio State refused, and the game was set to be played. Amid howling snow and wind, in what was probably the most literal example of a "field position" game, the teams exchanged 45 punts, often on first down, in hopes that the other team would fumble the ball near or into their own end zone. Ohio State's Vic Janowicz, who would claim the Heisman Trophy that year, punted 21 times for 685 yards and also kicked a field goal in the first quarter for the Buckeyes' only points. Michigan capitalized on two blocked punts, booting one out of the back of the end zone for a safety and recovering another one in the end zone for a touchdown just before halftime. Despite failing to gain a single first down or complete a single forward pass, Michigan gained a 9–3 victory, securing the Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl berth.
While Michigan leads the series 57–43–6, OSU has won the last six meetings.
Florida-Florida State
The University of Florida has fielded an official varsity football team every season since 1906, with the exception of 1943. Although Florida State College (one of the predecessor institutions of Florida State University) sponsored a varsity football team from 1902 to 1904, the Florida Legislature converted Florida State College into the Florida Female College, the state's new all-women's college in 1905. The college's name was changed to "Florida State College for Women" in 1909, and it remained so until the college became co-educational in 1947, when the modern Florida State football team was established.
Almost immediately, Florida State's football coach, players and students began calling for the Gators to play the new Florida State football team. The University of Florida, however, was reluctant to treat Florida State as an equal. A proposed bill mandating that Florida play Florida State in football and other sports was proposed in 1955 but was voted down in the Florida Legislature. However, Florida Governor LeRoy Collins asked president J. Wayne Reitz of the University of Florida to schedule a yearly football series between the two state universities, and the two schools' athletic directors eventually negotiated a contract that started the football series in 1958.
In an otherwise unremarkable game coming in to this 8th annual contest between the burgeoning rivals, this game established the rivalry in full due to the controversy that surrounded its outcome. In a tight contest, UF led the Seminoles late in the game, 22-19. FSU had the ball at the Gator 45 yard line with 17 second left in the game. On first down, wide receiver Lane Fenner entered the game in place of FSU's star receiver Ron Sellers. FSU quarterback Gary Pajcic took the snap, Fenner got behind UF defenders, and Pajcic lofted a pass to Fenner in the front corner of the end zone for what appeared to be a game-winning FSU touchdown. However, referee Doug Moseley signaled that Fenner did not have control of the ball before rolling out of bounds and ruled the pass incomplete
UF ended up holding on for a 22-19 win, but the controversy heated up after the game when photos that apparently showed Fenner making the catch in the endzone were published in state newspapers. Debate over whether or not the play should have been ruled a touchdown continues to this day.
The Gators lead the overall series 33–19–2, though have only had an 18–17–1 record against the Seminoles since Bobby Bowden became FSU’s head coach in 1976.
Utah-BYU
The University of Utah (Utah) and Brigham Young University (BYU) have a longstanding athletic rivalry that encompasses several sports. The annual college football game is frequently referred to as the Holy War. In the 1890s, when BYU was still known as Brigham Young Academy, the two schools started competing athletically. Both schools were founded by the LDS church, have significant percentages of LDS students and faculty as well as many historical and customary affiliations with Mormonism such as LDS institutes and dry campuses. As much as religion is a common historical foundation for the rivalry, it has also been a source of animosity and many have sought to downplay the aspect of religion. BYU (aka "the Y") is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("LDS or Mormon Church"). The University of Utah (aka "the U") is a public state-owned school. Because this rivalry includes a "church vs. state" dimension, many fans of both schools use it as a forum to vent deeply held feelings and perceptions.
Utah claims that the football rivalry began in the late 19th century, when Utah played the Brigham Young Academy six times between 1896–1899. BYU does not count these games in their official records, since it was not then known as BYU, but BYA. Furthermore, BYU claims that the first of those football games, a 12–4 Utah victory in April 1896, was in actuality a practice-scrimmage to prepare for the following fall season. But whether or not the game meant anything to the schools at the time, it certainly meant a great deal to the fans. At the end of the match, a fight broke out between fans of the two schools.
Georgia-Georgia Tech
The two schools are separated by 70 miles (110 km) and have been heated rivals since 1893.
The first known hostilities between the two schools trace back to 1891. The University of Georgia's literary magazine declared the school's colors to be "old gold, black, and crimson." Dr. Charles H. Herty, the first UGA football coach, felt that old gold was too similar to yellow and that yellow "symbolized cowardice." Also in 1891, a student vote chose old gold and white as Georgia Tech's school colors. After the 1893 football game against Tech, Herty removed old gold as an official school color. Tech would first use old gold for their uniforms, as a proverbial slap in the face to UGA, in their first unofficial football game against Auburn in 1891. Georgia Tech's school colors would henceforth be old gold and white.
The game has been played 104 times according to Georgia Tech and only 102 times according to Georgia record books. Georgia discredits two games in 1943 and 1944 (both years in which Georgia Tech won) because many of their players went to fight in World War II, though official college football records include the games.
The record between the two teams is 60 Georgia wins, 39 Georgia Tech wins, and 5 ties.
The annual match up between the two Midwest state schools has been held at the end of the regular season since 1935 (with exceptions in 1942, 1986, and 1998). Since 1918, the game's site has alternated between Columbus, Ohio, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, and has been played in Ohio Stadium since 1922 and Michigan Stadium since 1927. Through 2009, Ohio State and Michigan have decided the Big Ten Conference championship between themselves on 22 different occasions, and have affected the determination of the conference title an additional 26 times.
The inaugural meeting between Ohio State and Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1897 resulted in a lopsided victory for Michigan, with the Wolverines posting a 34–0 win over Ohio State's Buckeyes. The first game foretold a long Michigan winning streak, with Michigan winning or tying every match from 1897 to 1912 and thereby compiling a 12–0–2 record before the contest was postponed for several years. The Ohio State Alma Mater "Carmen Ohio" was written on the train ride home to Columbus following the 1902 contest, which saw Ohio State losing to Michigan, 86–0. The lyrics and melody (Spanish Chant) have remained largely unchanged since its conception.
The 1950 contest, known as the Snow Bowl, is perhaps the most famous game in the rivalry. Eighth-ranked Ohio State was scheduled to host the game on November 25 in Columbus amidst one of the worst blizzards on Ohio record. The Buckeyes, who led the Big Ten, were granted the option to cancel the game against Michigan, which would have, by default, given the Buckeyes the Big Ten title outright and won them a trip to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl. Ohio State refused, and the game was set to be played. Amid howling snow and wind, in what was probably the most literal example of a "field position" game, the teams exchanged 45 punts, often on first down, in hopes that the other team would fumble the ball near or into their own end zone. Ohio State's Vic Janowicz, who would claim the Heisman Trophy that year, punted 21 times for 685 yards and also kicked a field goal in the first quarter for the Buckeyes' only points. Michigan capitalized on two blocked punts, booting one out of the back of the end zone for a safety and recovering another one in the end zone for a touchdown just before halftime. Despite failing to gain a single first down or complete a single forward pass, Michigan gained a 9–3 victory, securing the Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl berth.
While Michigan leads the series 57–43–6, OSU has won the last six meetings.
Florida-Florida State
The University of Florida has fielded an official varsity football team every season since 1906, with the exception of 1943. Although Florida State College (one of the predecessor institutions of Florida State University) sponsored a varsity football team from 1902 to 1904, the Florida Legislature converted Florida State College into the Florida Female College, the state's new all-women's college in 1905. The college's name was changed to "Florida State College for Women" in 1909, and it remained so until the college became co-educational in 1947, when the modern Florida State football team was established.
Almost immediately, Florida State's football coach, players and students began calling for the Gators to play the new Florida State football team. The University of Florida, however, was reluctant to treat Florida State as an equal. A proposed bill mandating that Florida play Florida State in football and other sports was proposed in 1955 but was voted down in the Florida Legislature. However, Florida Governor LeRoy Collins asked president J. Wayne Reitz of the University of Florida to schedule a yearly football series between the two state universities, and the two schools' athletic directors eventually negotiated a contract that started the football series in 1958.
In an otherwise unremarkable game coming in to this 8th annual contest between the burgeoning rivals, this game established the rivalry in full due to the controversy that surrounded its outcome. In a tight contest, UF led the Seminoles late in the game, 22-19. FSU had the ball at the Gator 45 yard line with 17 second left in the game. On first down, wide receiver Lane Fenner entered the game in place of FSU's star receiver Ron Sellers. FSU quarterback Gary Pajcic took the snap, Fenner got behind UF defenders, and Pajcic lofted a pass to Fenner in the front corner of the end zone for what appeared to be a game-winning FSU touchdown. However, referee Doug Moseley signaled that Fenner did not have control of the ball before rolling out of bounds and ruled the pass incomplete
UF ended up holding on for a 22-19 win, but the controversy heated up after the game when photos that apparently showed Fenner making the catch in the endzone were published in state newspapers. Debate over whether or not the play should have been ruled a touchdown continues to this day.
The Gators lead the overall series 33–19–2, though have only had an 18–17–1 record against the Seminoles since Bobby Bowden became FSU’s head coach in 1976.
Utah-BYU
The University of Utah (Utah) and Brigham Young University (BYU) have a longstanding athletic rivalry that encompasses several sports. The annual college football game is frequently referred to as the Holy War. In the 1890s, when BYU was still known as Brigham Young Academy, the two schools started competing athletically. Both schools were founded by the LDS church, have significant percentages of LDS students and faculty as well as many historical and customary affiliations with Mormonism such as LDS institutes and dry campuses. As much as religion is a common historical foundation for the rivalry, it has also been a source of animosity and many have sought to downplay the aspect of religion. BYU (aka "the Y") is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("LDS or Mormon Church"). The University of Utah (aka "the U") is a public state-owned school. Because this rivalry includes a "church vs. state" dimension, many fans of both schools use it as a forum to vent deeply held feelings and perceptions.
Utah claims that the football rivalry began in the late 19th century, when Utah played the Brigham Young Academy six times between 1896–1899. BYU does not count these games in their official records, since it was not then known as BYU, but BYA. Furthermore, BYU claims that the first of those football games, a 12–4 Utah victory in April 1896, was in actuality a practice-scrimmage to prepare for the following fall season. But whether or not the game meant anything to the schools at the time, it certainly meant a great deal to the fans. At the end of the match, a fight broke out between fans of the two schools.
Georgia-Georgia Tech
The two schools are separated by 70 miles (110 km) and have been heated rivals since 1893.
The first known hostilities between the two schools trace back to 1891. The University of Georgia's literary magazine declared the school's colors to be "old gold, black, and crimson." Dr. Charles H. Herty, the first UGA football coach, felt that old gold was too similar to yellow and that yellow "symbolized cowardice." Also in 1891, a student vote chose old gold and white as Georgia Tech's school colors. After the 1893 football game against Tech, Herty removed old gold as an official school color. Tech would first use old gold for their uniforms, as a proverbial slap in the face to UGA, in their first unofficial football game against Auburn in 1891. Georgia Tech's school colors would henceforth be old gold and white.
The game has been played 104 times according to Georgia Tech and only 102 times according to Georgia record books. Georgia discredits two games in 1943 and 1944 (both years in which Georgia Tech won) because many of their players went to fight in World War II, though official college football records include the games.
The record between the two teams is 60 Georgia wins, 39 Georgia Tech wins, and 5 ties.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Weekend Preview
Wow talk about a lot of awesome games between ranked teams!
Big Ten games
Illinois @ Michigan
Both teams come in at 5-3, so a win earns them bowl eligibility. The road game starts a streak of three away games in the Illinois' last four contests. Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase is coming off of a week which saw him be named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week. He completed 16-of-20 passes for 195 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for 118 yards on 21 carries.
After starting the season 5-0, the Wolverines have lost their last three contests, with all being Big Ten games. They'll be looking to get back on the saddle against the Illini and as always, will look for Denard Robinson to lead them.
Illinois wins if...Scheelhaase plays as well as he has been lately. He seems to be flourishing as he becomes more comfortable in the college game. If they stop Robinson, they have a real chance of leaving with a win.
Michigan wins if...it shuts down the Illinois running game and it goes back to what was working the first five games of the year.
Northwestern @ Penn State
Joe Paterno can join John Gagliardi and Eddie Robinson as the only college football coaches to record 400 career victories, and he can become the first man in Division I-A/FBS history to do so. Who will they choose as their quarterback tho? Rob Bolden is back from a concussion, but Matt McGloin did well in his first start. Rumor is both will play.
Dan Persa, on the other hand, is coming back home. Growing up a Penn State fan and going to games at Beaver Stadium, he had grown up wanting to play for the Nittany Lions, but was passed up in the recruiting game. It will be his first start in State College and it comes at a time where the 'Cats are looking to get their mojo back.
Penn Stats wins if...it doesn;t let the thought of Paterno's 400th win get in the way. Choosing a quarterback is vital too. Both are good, but who will take the reigns.
Northwestern wins if...Persa is Persa. He was amazing for most of the Indiana game, but then suffered what seemed like a concussion. If he is over that and the emotions of his homecoming don't take over, the Wildcats might n Paterno's quest for 400.
National Games
TCU @ Utah
3 vs. 5. Last time the two will face as Mountain West foes. Undefeated. Chances at a National Title. That's all that's at stake in the game between these bitter rivals. It's the Mountain West's premier matchup, the first on league history pitting two ranked top-10 teams and one that will go a long way in deciding not only a conference champion but also who will remain a potential BCS buster. TCU has never won in three trips to Salt Lake City, including a 13-10 loss in 2008 that eventually propelled the Utes to a BCS bowl game -- knocking off Alabama in the Sugar -- and landing the Frogs in the Poinsettia Bowl, where they beat Boise State.
The Frogs are averaging nearly 41 ppg, while the Utes nearly 46. TCU has the top-ranked defense in the nation and is giving up just eight points per game. They've given up 16 points total in the last five games. They will have to shut down a Utes team that averages 450 yards per game. Oh yea, their defense is pretty good too.
TCU wins if...it shuts down the dynamic Utah offense. Their defense is tops in the nation, but their offense is just as great. Led by Andy Dalton, the team has been whooping everybody all year.
Utah wins if...it can score. They boast a good defense too and if they can stop the Horned Frogs, they might walk away with a win.
Big Ten games
Illinois @ Michigan
Both teams come in at 5-3, so a win earns them bowl eligibility. The road game starts a streak of three away games in the Illinois' last four contests. Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase is coming off of a week which saw him be named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week. He completed 16-of-20 passes for 195 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for 118 yards on 21 carries.
After starting the season 5-0, the Wolverines have lost their last three contests, with all being Big Ten games. They'll be looking to get back on the saddle against the Illini and as always, will look for Denard Robinson to lead them.
Illinois wins if...Scheelhaase plays as well as he has been lately. He seems to be flourishing as he becomes more comfortable in the college game. If they stop Robinson, they have a real chance of leaving with a win.
Michigan wins if...it shuts down the Illinois running game and it goes back to what was working the first five games of the year.
Northwestern @ Penn State
Joe Paterno can join John Gagliardi and Eddie Robinson as the only college football coaches to record 400 career victories, and he can become the first man in Division I-A/FBS history to do so. Who will they choose as their quarterback tho? Rob Bolden is back from a concussion, but Matt McGloin did well in his first start. Rumor is both will play.
Dan Persa, on the other hand, is coming back home. Growing up a Penn State fan and going to games at Beaver Stadium, he had grown up wanting to play for the Nittany Lions, but was passed up in the recruiting game. It will be his first start in State College and it comes at a time where the 'Cats are looking to get their mojo back.
Penn Stats wins if...it doesn;t let the thought of Paterno's 400th win get in the way. Choosing a quarterback is vital too. Both are good, but who will take the reigns.
Northwestern wins if...Persa is Persa. He was amazing for most of the Indiana game, but then suffered what seemed like a concussion. If he is over that and the emotions of his homecoming don't take over, the Wildcats might n Paterno's quest for 400.
National Games
TCU @ Utah
3 vs. 5. Last time the two will face as Mountain West foes. Undefeated. Chances at a National Title. That's all that's at stake in the game between these bitter rivals. It's the Mountain West's premier matchup, the first on league history pitting two ranked top-10 teams and one that will go a long way in deciding not only a conference champion but also who will remain a potential BCS buster. TCU has never won in three trips to Salt Lake City, including a 13-10 loss in 2008 that eventually propelled the Utes to a BCS bowl game -- knocking off Alabama in the Sugar -- and landing the Frogs in the Poinsettia Bowl, where they beat Boise State.
The Frogs are averaging nearly 41 ppg, while the Utes nearly 46. TCU has the top-ranked defense in the nation and is giving up just eight points per game. They've given up 16 points total in the last five games. They will have to shut down a Utes team that averages 450 yards per game. Oh yea, their defense is pretty good too.
TCU wins if...it shuts down the dynamic Utah offense. Their defense is tops in the nation, but their offense is just as great. Led by Andy Dalton, the team has been whooping everybody all year.
Utah wins if...it can score. They boast a good defense too and if they can stop the Horned Frogs, they might walk away with a win.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
NCAA Softball Super Regionals Part 2
In the first part, I previewed the left side of the bracket. Here I will preview the right side, one which features the defending champs, Washington.
Regional # 5 - Washington vs. Oklahoma
Washington - For the second-straight year, the Huskies (48-6) faced the daunting task of going against one of the country's most underrated pitchers in lefty Danielle Spaulding, who threw two no-hitters in her four appearances over the weekend. After Spaulding no-hit Nebraska on Friday to open the weekend, UW used an unearned run to win the first meeting between the teams, 1-0, on Saturday.They needed extra innings to win 2-1 on Sunday, but the reigning champs will once again be making a trip to the Super Regionals, a place they have been every year except one since the Super Regionals format was created.
The Huskies' Danielle Lawrie picked up three wins on the weekend, giving up just one run in 22 innings, while striking out 39. The stud pitcher gave up a mere six hits and one earned run.
The normally prolific Washington offense was quieted this past weekend by some magnificent pitching by their opponents, UNC's Spaulding and North Dakota State, a team which made the Super Regionals last year. Shawna Wright had the game-winning hit for UW. She had gone hitless until that point. Lawrie and Nikki Williams each had key home runs for the Huskies.
Washington holds a 7-6 series lead, including a 7-4 victory earlier this year.
Oklahoma - The Big 12 Tournament Champs are coming off of a 3-0 weekend, which saw they defeat one of the top pitchers in the country, Fordham's Jen Mineau twice.
California - After winning sweeping the Columbus Regional to win its 11th Regional title in the past 12 years, the No. 11-seeded California softball team has a new task at hand in No. 6-seeded Georgia at the Athens Super Regional. After the Regional title, Cal improves to 44-17 overall, 60-31 in Regional games and 81-55 overall in the NCAA postseason.
The Bears bring a seven-game winning streak to Athens after sweeping Oregon State and the Columbus Regional. Cal played 16 of the tournament's teams this year, posting a 19-16 record against them.
Five of Cal's starters are batting .300 or above with Jamia Reid pacing the Bears at .389 and 48 steals. Cal's 285 RBI is a new program team season high, smashing the old record of 279, which was set in 2008. Valerie Arioto is currently tied with Veronica Nelson for the single-season home-run high with 19, now holds the season record for runs (60) and RBI (60) and is currently fifth on season walks with 77.
As good as Arioto is at the plate, she may be even better on the mound. She has posted a She leads the team in wins (21), ERA (1.26) and strikeouts with 260. She is not the only stud pitcher for the Bears, however. Freshman sensation Jolene Henderson has made quite the transition to college softball, picking up 20 wins and a 1.53 ERA, along with three saves.
The Bears hold a 1-0 series lead against Georgia, with the win coming on Valentines Day in 1999.
Georgia - After going 3-0 in their Regional, the Bulldogs will host their second consecutive Super Regional. The Bulldogs went 3-0 as a regional host this year to improve to 13-4 in the UGA Softball Stadium
during regional play.
A total of 11 Bulldogs have combined to hit a single-season school record 92 home runs (1.61
per game). The new record surpassed the 2009 squad’s 85 home runs (1.44 per game). Bulldogs to hit home runs in 2010: Alisa Goler (14), Megan Wiggins (14), Brianna Hesson (13), Ashley Razey (13), Taylor Schlopy (11), Laura Trout (8), Jennie Auger (5), Ashley Pauly (5), Kristyn Sandberg (5), Amberlie Saxton (3) and Brittany Hubbard (1). Nine Bulldogs have provided double-digit RBI this season. All nine in double figures have at least 15 RBI with eight driving in at least 29 or more runs.
Georgia is one of a very small number of teams which has three pitchers in double digit wins. Sarah McLoud picked up wins in all three games last week and has an 11-1 record on the year, as well as a 2.71 ERA. Erin Arevalo leads the team in victories with 18, as well as 158 strikeouts.
Regional # 7 - BYU vs. Arizona
BYU - Along with Oregon, BYU is one of two unseeded teams to make the Super Regionals. For the first time in program history, BYU (46-11) will participate in the NCAA softball tournament’s second round. The Cougars advanced with a sweep of the competition last weekend in Austin, Texas, defeating East Carolina, 1-0; No. 7-seed Texas, 9-8; and East Carolina again in the championship game, 8-3.
The Cougars and the Wildcats have a brief history, marked most recently by a meeting on Feb. 26, at the Cathedral Classic in Palm Springs. Arizona was victorious in five innings, improving their all-time record against BYU to 3-0.
BYU senior Angeline Quiocho was named MWC Player of the Year, freshman J.C. Clayton garnered
MWC Freshman of the Year and Cougar head coach Gordon Eakin captured MWC Coach of the Year honors for the second consecutive season. Quiocho has been a terror for opponents, hitting 28 home runs, driving in 90 Cougars.
Paige Affleck is the workhorse on the mound for BYU. She leads the team with 32 wins, a Mountain West Conference record, as well as 221 strikeouts, which is second on the BYU season-high list.
Three Wolverine hitters batted .500 or better in this weekend's NCAA Regional action. Senior third baseman Maggie Viefhaus hit .625 (5-for-8) with seven runs batted in, while sophomore second baseman Amanda Chidester batted .600 (3-for-5) and senior catcher Roya St. Clair hit .500 (5-for-10) with six RBI from the cleanup spot. Shaking off its two-game home drought at Iowa, the Wolverines knocked out seven long balls in NCAA Regional play. Michigan has homered in 26 of its last 29 games and boast 81 homers on the season -- the second-greatest season total in program history.
With her 11-strikeout performance in the Regional title game against the Irish, junior Jordan Taylor upped her season total to a career-best 300. The figure ranks sixth among Michigan's all-time single-season leaders in the category. She actually struck out 11 Notre Dame batters in both games against the Irish.
Regional # 5 - Washington vs. Oklahoma
Washington - For the second-straight year, the Huskies (48-6) faced the daunting task of going against one of the country's most underrated pitchers in lefty Danielle Spaulding, who threw two no-hitters in her four appearances over the weekend. After Spaulding no-hit Nebraska on Friday to open the weekend, UW used an unearned run to win the first meeting between the teams, 1-0, on Saturday.They needed extra innings to win 2-1 on Sunday, but the reigning champs will once again be making a trip to the Super Regionals, a place they have been every year except one since the Super Regionals format was created.
The Huskies' Danielle Lawrie picked up three wins on the weekend, giving up just one run in 22 innings, while striking out 39. The stud pitcher gave up a mere six hits and one earned run.
The normally prolific Washington offense was quieted this past weekend by some magnificent pitching by their opponents, UNC's Spaulding and North Dakota State, a team which made the Super Regionals last year. Shawna Wright had the game-winning hit for UW. She had gone hitless until that point. Lawrie and Nikki Williams each had key home runs for the Huskies.
Washington holds a 7-6 series lead, including a 7-4 victory earlier this year.
Oklahoma - The Big 12 Tournament Champs are coming off of a 3-0 weekend, which saw they defeat one of the top pitchers in the country, Fordham's Jen Mineau twice.
Oklahoma has won 14 straight and has out-scored opponents 77-5 in that stretch. OU is 1-6 in Super Regionals since the format was introduced in 2005. The Sooners are appearing in their first Super Regional since 2008. Oklahoma’s only win in Super Regional play was a 2-0 win at Arizona on May 24, 2008.
OU is hitting .318 as a team during its 14-game winning streak and has scored 77 runs. The Sooner also boast quite a potent offense, as freshman Jessica Shults holds the Oklahoma freshman record for home runs (14) and runs batted in (61) in a season. Shults’ 61 RBI are tied for fourth most in a single season at Oklahoma and rank as the ninth best in a single season in the Big 12. Amber Flores is the first player in Big 12 history to win the Player of the Year award twice. Flores is OU’s career leader in home runs (53). The mark is four shy of tying the Big 12 career record. The Sooners are not all about power. Brianna Turang ranks fifth in the Big 12 with 20 stolen bases on the season and Ten Sooners have drawn double-digit walks this season, including five with 20 or more.
Along with some stud freshman hitters, the ace of the pitching staff is frosh Keilani Ricketts. Ricketts has not allowed an earned run in the last 28.0 innings pitched. During the 14-game win streak, Ricketts has a 0.39 earned run average and six shutouts, including one in the Big 12 Championship game. Ricketts’ 324 strikeouts this season are the second-most in a single season at OU. She has a 1.19 ERA and 14 shutouts to her name.
Regional # 6 - California vs. Georgia
California - After winning sweeping the Columbus Regional to win its 11th Regional title in the past 12 years, the No. 11-seeded California softball team has a new task at hand in No. 6-seeded Georgia at the Athens Super Regional. After the Regional title, Cal improves to 44-17 overall, 60-31 in Regional games and 81-55 overall in the NCAA postseason.
The Bears bring a seven-game winning streak to Athens after sweeping Oregon State and the Columbus Regional. Cal played 16 of the tournament's teams this year, posting a 19-16 record against them.
Five of Cal's starters are batting .300 or above with Jamia Reid pacing the Bears at .389 and 48 steals. Cal's 285 RBI is a new program team season high, smashing the old record of 279, which was set in 2008. Valerie Arioto is currently tied with Veronica Nelson for the single-season home-run high with 19, now holds the season record for runs (60) and RBI (60) and is currently fifth on season walks with 77.
As good as Arioto is at the plate, she may be even better on the mound. She has posted a She leads the team in wins (21), ERA (1.26) and strikeouts with 260. She is not the only stud pitcher for the Bears, however. Freshman sensation Jolene Henderson has made quite the transition to college softball, picking up 20 wins and a 1.53 ERA, along with three saves.
The Bears hold a 1-0 series lead against Georgia, with the win coming on Valentines Day in 1999.
Georgia - After going 3-0 in their Regional, the Bulldogs will host their second consecutive Super Regional. The Bulldogs went 3-0 as a regional host this year to improve to 13-4 in the UGA Softball Stadium
during regional play.
A total of 11 Bulldogs have combined to hit a single-season school record 92 home runs (1.61
per game). The new record surpassed the 2009 squad’s 85 home runs (1.44 per game). Bulldogs to hit home runs in 2010: Alisa Goler (14), Megan Wiggins (14), Brianna Hesson (13), Ashley Razey (13), Taylor Schlopy (11), Laura Trout (8), Jennie Auger (5), Ashley Pauly (5), Kristyn Sandberg (5), Amberlie Saxton (3) and Brittany Hubbard (1). Nine Bulldogs have provided double-digit RBI this season. All nine in double figures have at least 15 RBI with eight driving in at least 29 or more runs.
Georgia is one of a very small number of teams which has three pitchers in double digit wins. Sarah McLoud picked up wins in all three games last week and has an 11-1 record on the year, as well as a 2.71 ERA. Erin Arevalo leads the team in victories with 18, as well as 158 strikeouts.
Regional # 7 - BYU vs. Arizona
BYU - Along with Oregon, BYU is one of two unseeded teams to make the Super Regionals. For the first time in program history, BYU (46-11) will participate in the NCAA softball tournament’s second round. The Cougars advanced with a sweep of the competition last weekend in Austin, Texas, defeating East Carolina, 1-0; No. 7-seed Texas, 9-8; and East Carolina again in the championship game, 8-3.
The Cougars and the Wildcats have a brief history, marked most recently by a meeting on Feb. 26, at the Cathedral Classic in Palm Springs. Arizona was victorious in five innings, improving their all-time record against BYU to 3-0.
BYU senior Angeline Quiocho was named MWC Player of the Year, freshman J.C. Clayton garnered
MWC Freshman of the Year and Cougar head coach Gordon Eakin captured MWC Coach of the Year honors for the second consecutive season. Quiocho has been a terror for opponents, hitting 28 home runs, driving in 90 Cougars.
Paige Affleck is the workhorse on the mound for BYU. She leads the team with 32 wins, a Mountain West Conference record, as well as 221 strikeouts, which is second on the BYU season-high list.
Arizona - Arizona won the Tucson Regional in three games over Cornell, and Hofstra twice - with the Regional finale lasting 12 innings before Arizona pulled out a come-from-behind win on a grand slam by Lini Koria. For the 15th time in its 24-year participation, Arizona remained at home for initial rounds play in the Championships. The Wildcats have been a host for initial rounds 14 times, and later for Super Regionals four times. Arizona has a 137-40 mark in NCAA play in its 23 seasons of competition from 1987-2009. The Cats are 70-8 in Regional play and 10-3 in Super Regionals (since 2005).
Like many of the other teams in the Super Regional round, Arizona boasts a potent offense, one which has outscored opponents 431-131. Four Wildcats have hit at least 16 home runs, led by Bridget Del Ponte, who has smacked 21 round trippers. She also leads the team with 75 RBI. The other thee with double digit home runs each have over 50 RBI as well.
Freshman pitcher Kenzie Fowler has been quite the stud this year, compiling a 33-6 record. She also boasts a 1.25 ERA and 312 strikeouts to her name. Fowler is complemented by a senior, Sarah Akamine, who has helped ease her transition to Division I softball. Akamine holds a 13-5 record in 27 games, striking out 80 and only walking 23.
Super Regional # 8 - Tennessee vs. Michigan
Tennessee - For the first time since 2007, No. 16/15 Tennessee (45-13) has advanced to the NCAA Super
Regionals. The all-time series between the two programs is deadlocked at 3-3, with five of those contests
occurring during either NCAA Super Regional or WCWS play. After dropping a 4-0 decision to the Wolverines during Tennessee’s inaugural season in 1996, the teams didn’t meet again until the 2005 WCWS in Oklahoma City, Okla. Tennessee has advanced to three NCAA Super Regionals in program history (2005, 2006, 2007) and have moved on through to the WCWS on all three occasions with a 6-2 overall
record.
Regionals. The all-time series between the two programs is deadlocked at 3-3, with five of those contests
occurring during either NCAA Super Regional or WCWS play. After dropping a 4-0 decision to the Wolverines during Tennessee’s inaugural season in 1996, the teams didn’t meet again until the 2005 WCWS in Oklahoma City, Okla. Tennessee has advanced to three NCAA Super Regionals in program history (2005, 2006, 2007) and have moved on through to the WCWS on all three occasions with a 6-2 overall
record.
While this year's Tennessee squad may not have the power numbers some of the other Super Regional teams do, they make up for it in speed, timely hitting and a balanced lineup. Raven Chavanne leads the team with a .469 average and has swiped 34 bases. Two more players, Kat Dotson (29) and Kelly Grieve (25), have over 25 steals as well. Jessica Spigner provides the power, as she has hit eight home runs and leads the team with 56 RBI.
Ivy Renfroe leads the two-woman rotation. Her 28-4 record and 2.28 ERA are tops on the team. She has also struck out 196 hitters. Cat Hosfield is her counterpart in the circle. Hosfield holds a 16-8 record on the year.
Michigan - Michigan has reached the NCAA Super Regionals each year since the format was adopted in 2005. Michigan outscored its NCAA Regional opposition 31-4. The title was their 14th overall and seventh in a row.
With her 11-strikeout performance in the Regional title game against the Irish, junior Jordan Taylor upped her season total to a career-best 300. The figure ranks sixth among Michigan's all-time single-season leaders in the category. She actually struck out 11 Notre Dame batters in both games against the Irish.
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