During the Wisconsin series, Michigan softball coach Bonnie Tholl made a strong overhaul to the Wolverines lineup in terms of its order and personnel. With all of the changes, it’s senior first baseman Madi Ramey who has stood out the most.
Ramey hasn’t looked back since entering the lineup in the series finale against the Badgers. In five starts, she’s batted 7-for-13 with seven RBIs and two home runs. Thanks to those recent performances, she’s taken a firm grip on the starting first base spot.
However, her appearances in the lineup have come at the expense of junior two-way player Erin Hoehn. After shining in the order early on, Hoehn found a consistent home at first base to get her in the lineup when she wasn’t in the circle. But with Tholl playing the hot hand, the opportunities at the plate for Hoehn have been more limited.
“We need to find a place for Erin Hoehn to be in our offensive lineup,” Tholl said March 6th.
Hoehn has rewarded the trust from her manager for the majority of the season. She ranks third in both OPS and slugging on the team, a big reason why she has hit in the four hole for most of the year. However, with Michigan’s pitching struggles of late, Tholl has asked her two-way star to make more of an impact as a pitcher — leaving the door open for Ramey to secure her spot at first base.
“I felt that Erin’s priority needed to be in the circle,” Tholl said after Tuesday’s game against Toledo. “Her focus needed to be in the circle without scattering her thoughts elsewhere.”
But after a lackluster offensive showing against Indiana, the Wolverines could look to reimagine their lineup again. Hoehn figures to be a candidate to resume her place in the order, but Ramey’s strong showings may mean first base is occupied for the foreseeable future. To get them both in the lineup when Hoehn isn’t pitching, Tholl would need to do even more shuffling.
When not in the circle, Hoehn’s appearances in the lineup have come at first base or as a designated player. The latter spot is typically occupied by senior Indiana Langford, a crucial part to Michigan’s offense as the leadoff hitter. Meanwhile, the majority of Langford’s experience in the field has come at second base, a position that senior Janelle Ilacqua has shined in defensively. Making all of these adjustments is easier said than done at this point in the season.
Having to squeeze multiple productive hitters into the order isn’t the worst problem for a coach to have, yet these decisions could be crucial to the Wolverines’ aspirations. Tholl hasn’t previously shied away from making defensive shifts like moving Hoehn to first base. At the business end of the season though, there is less margin for error.
Tholl’s lineup decision carries an element of risk no matter the choice she makes. The electricity Ramey’s brought to the lineup is difficult to shut down, but it could mean a difficult decision regarding one of Michigan’s prolific hitters. Or if Tholl tries to fit in all of her offensive stars, it would likely mean redefining a solid Wolverines infield.
“It’s (about) who’s been swinging the bat well,” Tholl said April 19th.
With that philosophy, Tholl will have big decisions to make for the incoming matchups, especially for a Michigan team whose postseason hopes hang in the balance.
