TRAVERSE CITY -- With a veteran cast returning, expectations are high for a University of Michigan softball team that reached the college World Series last spring.
Wolverines coach Carol Hutchins knows returning to the World Series won't be easy, though.
"We better expect that we're going to have to work harder than last year to get back to where we were," she said Saturday afternoon during a four-team tournament at Traverse City West. "That's what we tell our kids. It's hard to get back. You don't get to go just because you went last year. I don't take anything for granted. And I don't want my kids to take anything for granted."
Michigan does return four All-Americans, however, in pitchers Nikki Nemitz and Jordan Taylor, outfielder Angela Findlay and utility player Amanda Chidester.
Nemitz was the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year in the spring. Like her coach, Nemitz said the players need to put last season behind them.
"We know it doesn't matter who's coming back," she said. "It matters how we play throughout the season. There are no shoulds in softball. We'll have to work hard and earn everything we get. We can't take anyone lightly."
The Wolverines, who finished 47-12 last season, went 2-0-1 on Saturday. Michigan beat Western Michigan and Grand Rapids Community College and had a scoreless tie with Central Michigan.
"We like to think of this as a practice," Nemitz said. "It's just fun because we get to practice against other teams. We get to see what we need to work on, and who's doing well in what areas."
The trip also serves as a team bonding weekend.
"We have a lot kids from other states so they really enjoy coming up here," Hutchins said.
What Hutchins didn't enjoy Saturday was her team's lack of offense against Central Michigan.
"I was disappointed we didn't have a better offensive effort," she said.
Nemitz wasn't that surprised.
"We're struggling a little bit on offense, but that's to be expected," she said. "We haven't seen live pitching in a while."
Hutchins was able to get her first look at freshmen in game situations.
"We had a freshman pitcher (Stephanie Speierman) on the mound and she did a pretty good job," the coach said. "Our freshman shortstop, Amy Knapp, got in there and held her own. They both looked like they belonged on the field and that's what you want to see from your freshmen."
The tournament concludes today, starting with games at 10:30 a.m. The championship round begins at 12:30 p.m.
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