Audrey LeClair’s surge provides crucial spark for Michigan

Junior outfielder Audrey LeClair is a vital piece of the No. 23 Michigan softball crew for her optimistic management.

She constantly leads the Wolverines in pre-game handshake strains and is the “fireplug” of the crew, as Michigan coach Carol Hutchins known as her. She is at all times animated within the dugout and retains her crew engaged, whatever the rating or state of affairs at hand.

Together with her means to domesticate a optimistic environment so essential to Michigan, it looks as if her play on the plate comes second in significance. However that has modified lately as she has grow to be a whole participant. 

“She’s at all times been a fireplug,” Hutchins mentioned. “However her recreation improved a lot … She’s finished an ideal job for us on either side of the ball.”

This season has been one in every of new alternatives for LeClair. She primarily performed as a pinch runner in 2021, showing in 31 video games that season. Early this season, when freshman outfielder Ellie Sieler nabbed the final outfield spot, it appeared like LeClair would occupy that very same area of interest once more.

However as Sieler struggled to provide on the plate early within the season, LeClair received her likelihood.

And since that second, LeClair hasn’t appeared again. She has began each recreation besides for 2 for the reason that finish of February and has offered constant fielding and a stable — if a bit quiet — bat.

However in current weeks, she has discovered her rhythm on the plate too. As she has relied much less on slap-hitting, as an alternative standing tall within the field way more usually, she has seen a rise in each energy and manufacturing. 

Within the final 10 video games, LeClair has notched a .464 batting common. On high of that, she is presently on an 11-game hitting streak. That type of consistency does wonders for a lineup that at occasions has struggled offensively.

On high of that, she has carried out in large video games as properly. In final weekend’s sequence towards rival Ohio State, LeClair went 4-for-9 and scored a run in addition. 

And she or he nonetheless continues to buoy the Wolverine’s morale as properly.

“One thing we’ve been engaged on (is) having good vitality,” LeClair mentioned. 

That want is correct in LeClair’s wheelhouse. With out LeClair’s vitality and keenness, Michigan might need gotten caught up in its 0-4 Large Ten begin. It could have been simple for it to keel over and resign itself to a misplaced season. 

However the Wolverines have fought and clawed their means again to an inexpensive Large Ten clip. After a 9-3 run, they nonetheless have a combating likelihood to win the single-elimination Large Ten event subsequent month. 

As her batting has rounded into type, LeClair has grow to be a participant that Michigan can depend on. With senior outfielder Lexie Blair returning to full capability after an harm, she has taken over first base duties as an alternative of taking LeClair’s or Sieler’s spot within the outfield, permitting her to regularly return to the lineup.

If a distinct outfielder was in Blair’s spot, Hitchins might need felt tempted to hurry the method and place Blair again within the outfield instantly. However she hasn’t, an indication that Hutchins trusts LeClair and the efficiency she brings to the desk.

LeClair has finished extra than simply earn her function. She has cemented it — even over the reigning Large Ten Participant of the 12 months.

And with Michigan hitting the house stretch of its season, that’s a promising signal.