Season Review: 2016 Michigan Softball
7/5/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
July 5, 2016
• Team Captains: Kelly Christner, Olivia Richvalsky, Sierra Romero
• Record: 52-7 overall, 21-2 Big Ten Conference (1st place)
• Big Ten Tournament: Runner-up
• NCAA Tournament: NCAA Women's College World Series (T-5th place)
The University of Michigan softball team recorded another standout season in 2016, posting a 52-7 record -- its third 50-win season in four years -- en route to its ninth straight Big Ten title and a spot in the NCAA Women's College World Series -- the program's 12th overall and third in four years.
Under 32nd-year head coach Carol Hutchins, who became the winningest coach in NCAA softball history, Michigan bounced back from a 0-1 start in Big Ten Conference play to claim 21 of its next 22 league games and the program's 19th overall Big Ten title. The Wolverines claimed Big Ten Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year honors and boasted four NFCA All-Americans, including a nation-leading three selections to the first team.
Team Highlights
• The Wolverines captured their ninth consecutive Big Ten title -- a streak that dates to 2008 -- and 19th overall conference crown. U-M posted a 21-2 league record, finishing 1.5 games ahead of Minnesota, and outscored its Big Ten opponents, 196-48.
• Michigan swept its NCAA Super Regional against Missouri, 5-3, 5-4, at Alumni Field to make its 12th NCAA Women's College World Series appearance in program history and third in four seasons. The Wolverines scored four runs -- in four successive at-bats -- in the top of the seventh inning to defeat Mizzou in the second Super Regional slate -- just a half inning after surrendering a 4-1 lead on a three-run homer. U-M allowed a pair of base runners in the bottom half but used a fielder's choice, strikeout and groundout to close out the game.
• U-M ranked among the national leaders in several offensive categories, including the nation's top on-base percentage of .458. The Wolverines listed second in scoring (7.9), third in slugging percentage (.589) and home runs per game (1.46) and fifth in batting average (.347). Michigan also posted the fourth-best fielding percentage (.978) and ranked 12th in earned run average (2.10).
• The Wolverines posted a near-perfect 20-1 record at Alumni Field this season. U-M dropped its third home game before winning each of its final 18 appearances at home. Michigan averaged 2,079 fans over 22 home dates this season, including 2,523 for each of its five NCAA Tournament dates, and sold out 13 of its final 16 home games.
Individual Highlights
• Head coach Carol Hutchins became the all-time winningest coach in NCAA softball history with U-M's 8-0, five-inning decision at Indiana on Saturday, April 2. Hutchins, also the winningest coach in Michigan Athletics history, passed former Fresno State coach Margie Wright (1,457, 1980-2012). She has compiled a 1,484-478-4 record in 33 seasons as a NCAA head coach. She was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year for the 16th time, while U-M's staff was named the NFCA Great Lakes Region Coaching Staff of the Year for the 13th time overall and fourth straight season.
• Senior second baseman Sierra Romero claimed all major player of the year honors, including USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, Schutt Sports/NFCA DI Player of the Year and Big Ten Player of the Year, and was named Honda Cup Top Three and the Michigan Female Athlete of the Year. The first four-time NFCA All-American in Michigan program history, Romero completed her collegiate career as the NCAA record holder in career runs (302) and grand slams (11) and is the only player in NCAA history to record 300 runs, 300 hits and 300 RBI.
• Sophomore first baseman Tera Blanco boasted a big breakout season in 2016, hitting .404 -- a 113-point improvement on her previous year's average -- with 12 home runs, 66 RBI and a .537 on-base percentage. She was one of three Wolverines to receive first team All-America honors, joining Romero and senior centerfielder Sierra Lawrence. U-M led the nation in first team selections.
• Junior RHP Megan Betsa was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year and a second team All-American for the second straight season. She became just the fourth player in conference history to be named Big Ten Pitcher of the Year multiple times. Betsa ranked third nationally with 10.5 strikeouts per game and sixth with 3.93 hits allowed per game.
Honors and Awards
Megan
Betsa
Sara
Driesenga
Sierra
Lawrence
Sierra
Romero
Kelsey
Susalla
USA Softball
Collegiate Player of the Year: Sierra Romero
Collegiate Player of the Week: Sierra Romero (March 8)
National Fastpitch Coaches Association
Schutt Sports/NFCA Division Player of the Year: Sierra Romero
All-America (First Team): Tera Blanco, Sierra Lawrence, Sierra Romero
All-America (Second Team): Megan Betsa
National Player of the Week: Sierra Romero (March 8)
National Pitcher of the Week: Megan Betsa (April 19)
National Fastpitch Coaches Association
Great Lakes Region Coaching Staff of the Year: Carol Hutchins, Bonnie Tholl, Jennifer Brundage, Alex Lagesse
All-Great Lakes Region (First Team): Megan Betsa, Sara Driesenga, Tera Blanco, Sierra Romero, Sierra Lawrence, Kelsey Susalla
All-Great Lakes Region (Second Team): Abby Ramirez
All-Great Lakes Region (Third Team): Aidan Falk
Big Ten Conference
Player of the Year: Sierra Romero
Pitcher of the Year: Megan Betsa
Coach of the Year: Carol Hutchins
All-Big Ten (First Team): Megan Betsa, Sierra Lawrence, Sierra Romero, Kelsey Susalla
All-Big Ten (Second Team): Tera Blanco, Sara Driesenga, Aidan Falk, Lindsay Montemarano
Defensive Team: Lindsay Montemarano
Sportsmanship Award: Lauren Connell
All-Tournament Team: Sierra Lawrence, Kelsey Susalla
Big Ten Player of the Week
Sierra Lawrence (Feb. 22, May 2)
Sierra Romero (March 7, April 4)
Lindsay Montemarano (March 28)
Kelsey Susalla (April 25)
Big Ten Pitcher of the Week
Megan Betsa (April 18, May 9)
Big Ten Freshman of the Week
Alex Sobczak (Feb. 22)
Academic All-Big Ten
Kelly Christner, Jr., movement science
Lauren Connell, Sr., communication studies
Sara Driesenga, Sr., master of social work
Aidan Falk, So., psychology
Sierra Lawrence, Sr., general studies
Abby Ramirez, Jr., communication studies
Olivia Richvalsky, Sr., communication studies
Kelsey Susalla, Sr., psychology
Taylor Swearingen, So., sport management
Morgan Swift, So., business administration
Amanda Vargas, So., LSA undeclared
Nikki Wald, So., LSA undeclared
University of Michigan
Female Athlete of the Year: Sierra Romero
Collegiate Women Sports Awards
Honda Cup Top-Three Finalist: Sierra Romero
Honda Sport Award: Sierra Romero
Communications Contact: Leah Howard
