A talented but youthful Michigan softball team will have to rely heavily on its six seniors to provide stability both on and off the field this season. Last year's campaign ended in disappointment as the second-ranked Wolverines were upset in the NCAA Super Regional by No. 15 Tennessee. The Wolverines hope their young talent develops quickly so they can hit the ground running and have another go at a championship.

“We just have so many kids,” Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said after Michigan's exhibition victory over Michigan State. “And so many young kids, tonight we needed to get them all in and get them some experience.”

Senior first baseman Dorian Shaw is among the six seniors taking responsibility for the development of the squad’s seven freshmen and 12 total underclassmen.

“I remember being a freshman and being distracted,” Shaw said. “(Our duty is) making sure everybody’s on the same page and keeping everybody moving in the right direction.”

While mentoring can be burdensome, Shaw and the other seniors are happy to accept the responsibility Hutchins has put on them.

“There are six of us and it’s all of our jobs,” Shaw said. “(Coach Hutchins) shouldn’t have to tell us, it’s something we want to do and it’s finally our turn to go, 'Oh, you have a question about your classes, come to me I can tell you.' ”

On the field everything appears to be in sync. In limited exhibition play, the squad’s freshmen have shown their potential. On Saturday, freshman leftfielder Nicole Sappingfield collected two base hits and drove in a run to lead Michigan to a 7-6 victory.

Tuesday against Eastern Michigan, freshman infielder Mandy Gardner — who did not play against the Spartans — gave the Wolverines a two-run lead with a home run in the second inning. Sappingfield added an RBI single in the fourth as the Wolverines defeated the Eagles 5-1.

Despite the Wolverines' youth, the veterans like Shaw are confident in their team.

“The expectations don’t change when you have more freshmen,” Shaw said. “We’re Michigan softball and we expect to win the Big Ten and we expect to go to the World Series. The expectations don’t change based on who’s on your roster.”