I’ve seen my fair share of buzzer-beaters and walk-offs — stunning victories and gut-wrenching defeats.
But none like this.
It was the top of the seventh with two outs and the bases loaded, and the Wolverines were down one. If they could complete the comeback from what was once a 4-0 deficit, they would force a game three in the NCAA Super Regional against Tennessee.
Into the box stepped Senior catcher Roya St. Clair — Michigan’s last hope to keep a Women’s College World Series berth alive.
It was easily one of the most nerve-racking sporting events I’ve ever witnessed.
But it was more about what was on the line, more than just that situation — this was supposed to be Michigan’s year to win it all.
The 2010 roster offered coach Carol Hutchins possibly the most balanced lineup in her 26-year tenure at Michigan, rivaling that of the 2005 national champions. The squad seemed like a lock for the eight-team field at the WCWS.
The team was always on base.
There was no break for opposing pitchers. Even senior Nikki Nemitz, who hit seventh in the lineup, finished up the season with a .331 batting average and 44 RBIs. Hutchins said all year that the production from the bottom of her lineup was a sign of a championship-caliber group of girls.
The team had speed.
Sophomore Bree Evans and senior Molly Bausher were nightmares for the left side of opposing infields. I can’t count how many times I saw the frustration on a shortstop’s face when she would come up with the ball ready to throw, only to see them already crossing first base.
The team had power.
Senior Maggie Viefhaus and junior Dorian Shaw decided at the beginning of the season that they would combine for 50 home runs this year. Had they made a trip to the WCWS, they could’ve come close — Shaw finished with a share of the program’s single-season record with 21, while Viefhaus had just one fewer.
The team was lights-out on the mound.
Junior righthander Jordan Taylor, who was on the mound for most of the postseason, was nothing short of phenomenal all season long. She finished with 26 wins and a 1.44 ERA. Oh, and she tossed a pair of perfect games. No biggie.
The team had postseason experience.
Hutchins’s crew went to the WCWS last season with only one senior. This year’s lineup was nearly identical, but it showcased five seniors. As Shaw mentioned in an emotional press conference, it hasn’t quite hit them that they won’t be packing their bags for Oklahoma City this time around.
The funny part is that I consistently doubted Michigan along the way, even with all the above indicators of success.
At the beginning of the season, I predicted that Illinois would capture the Big Ten title this year.
Oops.
And I was sure to caution fans that playoff teams would be able to challenge Michigan in a way Big Ten teams couldn’t. Then postseason play started, and the Wolverines went 3-0 in the NCAA Regional, winning every game by eight runs or more.
By the time the Super Regional rolled around, the Wolverines seemed utterly invincible, and they made me a believer.
And when St. Clair struck a line drive directly into the mitt of Tennessee’s shortstop, I sunk into my chair.
I fumbled to find the right words to best describe what had happened.
I wasn’t stunned because Tennessee was the underdog — I knew the Lady Vols would come to Ann Arbor and compete. They’d been beating quality opponents all season long.
And it wasn’t because Michigan fell just short of battling from behind — I had a feeling the Wolverine bats came alive just a little too late.
It was because this was Michigan’s year to win it all.
And falling short of that expectation will be very tough for the Wolverines to swallow.