Michigan softball coach Carol Hutchins wants her team to play “one-pitch" softball.

The idea is that no matter the score, situation or opponent, each player on the field must execute to the best of her ability on every single pitch.

But sometimes, it’s hard not to look at the big picture. Now entering the heart of their schedule, the eighth-ranked Wolverines have a 20-9 record, including two losses to rival Northwestern this weekend.

Anchored by a pair of aces in junior Nikki Nemitz and sophomore Jordan Taylor, Michigan has shown signs of greatness this year. But to reach that potential, the team will need more consistent contributions from an offense that has swung from dominant to anemic, often on a game-to-game basis.

These are the most important things to follow as the Wolverines push for toward another deep run in the postseason:

ACES UP

At the Judi Garman Classic on Mar. 12-15, Michigan faced five ranked teams in four days. Hutchins called it the most daunting stretch of the toughest schedule she’s faced in 25 years as Michigan’s head coach. But for Nemitz, it was just another weekend at the office.

The junior pitched in four games — all wins — and allowed just two runs. Over 17.1 innings, she struck out 24 batters and allowed just 15 baserunners.

At the Classic, Nemitz was clearly Michigan’s best pitcher. But for the season? That’s debatable.

“We have two No. 1 pitchers,” Hutchins said. “We’re the only team that I know of that can really say that.”

Most college softball teams have a clear top starter and one or more second-tier pitchers. In Nemitz and Taylor, Hutchins has two hurlers who she feels comfortable with in any situation. The two generally alternate starts, but neither has trouble pitching in the relief role.

For opponents, this presents a unique problem.

“You know that as a pitcher, you don’t have to carry the team,” Nemitz said. “If you’re having an off day, there’s an All-American coming behind you to pick you up. It’s like, ‘All right, you figured out this one, now try to beat this All-American.’ ”

On Feb. 13 at the Louisville Tournament, Louisville figured Nemitz out in the bottom of the sixth inning.

With Michigan clinging to a 3-2 lead, Hutchins called Taylor in from the bullpen. The sophomore slammed the door, stranding the runner on base before striking out the side in the seventh to secure the Wolverines’ win.

It’s that type of reliability in the circle that has been Michigan’s greatest strength over the past two seasons.

After leading Michigan to the nation's best team ERA (0.88) last year, the duo has pitched at a 1.03 clip this year. Taylor has thrown two no-hitters and Nemitz has already won the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week award twice.

“We count on them to keep us in every game,” Hutchins said. “They’ve done that thus far. Their job is to keep us in the game until our offense can win it."

But that's been precisely the problem at times this year.

SLUMPS AND SURPRISES

Against No. 3 Washington at Judi Garman Classic, Taylor did her job, giving up just one run.

But it wasn't enough. The Huskies’ Danielle Lawry held the Wolverines scoreless in a dazzling 13-strikeout performance.

Although Lawry is one of the top pitchers in the country, the lack of offense wasn’t an isolated incident.

Michigan averages 4.4 runs per game but has scored two runs or fewer seven times. Only part of this can be attributed to the difficult schedule. Several members of the starting lineup have suffered through extended hitting slumps.

Sophomore Dorian Shaw, who had 17 RBI at this time last year, has just nine thus far. Junior Molly Bausher’s on-base percentage is hovering around .300. But no hitter has been more disappointing than senior shortstop Teddi Ewing.

A team captain and Michigan’s lone senior starter, Ewing seemed poised for a huge season after hitting .347 last year. But she began the season with just one hit in Michigan’s first seven games and has struggled to break out of the funk since.

Ewing is a vocal leader on the field and plays stellar defense at a key position, but her .115 batting average is the worst on the team by more than 100 points.

“It’s probably a case of her just trying too hard and trying too hard to do all of the things a senior captain has to do,” Hutchins said.