Over the years, the Michigan softball team has run roughshod through the Big Ten. The Wolverines have won four of the past five Big Ten titles, including the last two.
And as an infant Wisconsin program comes into Ann Arbor this weekend, the Badgers might have to learn that all-important lesson of learning to walk before they can run.
Wisconsin and Michigan square off in a three-game series this weekend at Alumni Field, including a doubleheader Saturday starting a 1 p.m., followed by a game Sunday.
This season marks only the second in varsity competition for the Badgers - and as the new kids on the block, they could have a lot to learn from Big Ten-bully Michigan.
Nevertheless, Wisconsin coach Karen Gallagher knows that after an inaugural record of 14-39-1, the only direction the Badgers can go is up.
"Expectations for this team are much higher than they were a year ago," Gallagher said. "We need to start grasping what it means to get to the next level if this program is going to ever compete for a Big Ten title."
Sporting a team loaded with talented freshman and sophomores, Wisconsin's potential for improvement is astounding. Leading the youthful surge for the Badgers is captain Amanda Berg.
Berg led Wisconsin in virtually every offensive category last season, hitting .344 along the way - but this promises to thrust more responsibility upon her, according to Gallagher.
"(Berg) is ready to take control of this team, and I think she's very capable of doing just that," she said.
The other side of the coin is Michigan, who is sitting atop the Big Ten mountain and once again are looking down at the rest of the conference as the regular season begins.
However, Michigan coach Carol Hutchins feels that this season's conference quest will be one of the most difficult in recent history.
"The Big Ten is very strong this year and the race for both the regular-season and tournament titles will be tighter than ever," she said.
But if Michigan's performance in the preseason is any indication, the Wolverines are well on their way to capturing their third-consecutive Big Ten crown.
The Wolverines dominated last weekend's Boilermaker Invitational, snatching the title away from tournament-host Purdue in the championship game, 12-2.
Probably most impressive in Michigan's tournament run was the performance of outfielder Cathy Davie. The sophomore took home Most Valuable Player honors after hitting .438 (7-for-16) and scoring seven runs.
As it stands, Davie leads the Wolverines in batting at .398.
Another rising star for Michigan also impressed last weekend. Freshman shortstop Pam Kosanke was named to the All-tournament team after hitting .333 during the Invitational.
But despite Michigan's success at the plate, the pitching is what has been dominant for the Wolverines. In five games at Purdue, Michigan pitchers Sara Griffin, Kelly Holmes and Jamie Gillies gave up a total of seven runs.
Not a bad way to let the Big Ten know who's still the boss.
MARK FRIEDMAN/Daily
Michigan's Sara Griffin is going to have to keep smoking her pitches across the plate if the Wolverines are going to have a shot at winning the Big Ten for the third year in a row.