OKLAHOMA CITY - After 20 seasons, the Michigan softball team finally won "the big one."
Unfortunately, it wasn't "the biggest one."
In Michigan coach Carol Hutchins' 12th season, she has taken the next step with her team. The Wolverines finally won a Women's College World Series game after being unsuccessful in their previous two attempts under Hutchins.
Hutchins led the team to the best season in Michigan softball history.
Hutchins is generally considered one of the top coaches at Michigan. In only her second season, 1986, she led the Wolverines to a second-place finish in the Big Ten. In 1992, her eighth season at the helm, she took Michigan all the way to the regional championship game, but failed to advance to the WCWS.
Not a bad resume, but consider this: In 12 seasons, Hutchins is only just recently bringing the Wolverines to the WCWS. The past three seasons mark the first time Michigan has participated in the championship tournament.
How long does it take to build a national powerhouse? Is 12 years too long?
Maybe it is. Sure, Michigan doesn't have the warm-weather advantage like perennial contenders UCLA or Arizona. But Washington - last season's WCWS runner-up and a semi-finalist this season - is only in its fourth year of existence.
The Huskies handed No. 2 seed South Carolina its first loss, sending the Gamecocks into the losers' bracket before being shipped home by Michigan.
The Wolverines have shown that they can overcome the elements and have established themselves as clearly the best team east of the Mississippi River and north of the Mason-Dixon line. This is thanks in no small part to this graduating class of seniors.
But it's time that Michigan wins a national title. Now is the time, this is the next program that needs to do so. The football team might be a few years away from another title.
The basketball team might not be around for the next few years. Hockey might be in contention for a title again, but most likely will experience some rebuilding after the departure of its storied nine seniors.
Men's swimming will probably continue its national dominance, and women's gymnastics will probably continue to contend.
Now, it should be softball's turn to step to the front of the Michigan athletic scene. Softball can be the next big dynasty for Michigan.
The softball team also has the best opportunity to become the first women's team at Michigan to win a national title. The softball program is the only one to never have had a losing season.
The next step is obvious - a national championship.
The solution might not be as obvious. A new coach is definitely not the way to go - such a move would be akin to firing Bo Schembechler in the 1980s. Maybe the recent appearances at the WCWS will bring widespread recognition for the Wolverines.
Maybe if Michigan star pitcher and top hitter Sara Griffin hadn't gone down with a season-ending arm injury, this 1997 campaign would have been the historic one.
But for now, the Wolverines will have to say what they have been saying for the past 20 seasons: "Wait 'til next year."
AP PHOTO
The Michigan softball team won its first Women's College World Series game this weekend in Oklahoma City. The Wolverines have appeared in the championship round for three consecutive seasons but have yet to win the title.