At Alumni Field, the No. 8 Michigan softball team wins.

That’s what the Wolverines will be banking on this weekend as they begin their quest for a second national championship against Valparaiso, Central Michigan and No. 20 California in the NCAA tournament this weekend.

Michigan (45-10 overall) is undefeated in 16 home games this season, 10 of which were completed in mercy-rule fashion. More often than not, the Wolverines put on a batting clinic for loyal fans, scoring at least eight runs in 11 games, including a 21-run performance against Michigan State. In total, the offense outscored opponents by 124 runs and batted well over .350 as a team.

“It’s where we want to be,” said Michigan coach Carol Hutchins to reporters on Wednesday. “We spend so many weeks on the road so to get to be home here at the end of the year is an added bonus, just to be in our comfort zone and in front of our fans. It’s such a great reward to our fans.”

Despite the apparent youth on this Michigan roster, Hutchins may have enough experience for everyone.

This weekend marks the Wolverines’ 19th consecutive NCAA tournament bid and 21st in program history. Under Hutchins, Michigan has advanced past regional finals in all but three tournament appearances — most recently in 2011 — and has hosted 16 regional tournaments.

The Wolverines are 3-0 all-time against Valparaiso, with their last matchup coming in March of 2011. The Crusaders (34-25) lost seven straight games and failed to win a series until the conference championship. A late-season offensive surge from outfielder Amanda Korbb could spell trouble for sophomore left-hander Haylie Wagner, who has given up 10 home runs in 25 appearances this season.

In the midst of a 22-game winning streak, Michigan took care of Central Michigan in five innings to the tune of 11 runs and four home runs. The Chippewas (33-18) finished second in the Mid-American Conference standings before winning the conference tournament for an automatic berth into the postseason. Central Michigan will be carried by senior center fielder Macy Merchant, who is hitting .416 with 72 hits.

Though Michigan has not faced California since 2007, the Golden Bears hold a 7-1 all-time record against the Wolverines. The other nationally ranked team in the Ann Arbor regional, No. 18 California (30-9) poses the biggest threat to Michigan’s path for a second national championship. Having made it to the College World Series in 2012, the Golden Bears boast more experience playing late in May — something Michigan lacks. But California dropped nine of its last 10 regular-season contests due in large part to the absence of senior ace Jolene Henderson. Her return the final game of the season was important, though, as she pitched a complete game and allowed just two runs.

Of late, the Wolverines have been unpredictable. A powerful lineup that feeds off the previous batter struggled at the hands of Big Ten pitching late in the regular season. Despite the bounty of talent — a lineup that includes the Big Ten Freshman and Player of the Year in freshman shortstop Sierra Romero, along with seasoned veterans junior Caitlin Blanchard and senior Ashley Lane — Michigan was bounced from the conference tournament in the semifinals last weekend.

Romero was named to the Great Lakes All-Region first team on Thursday while her teammates Blanchard and Lane were named to the second team. Sophomore right-hander Sara Driesenga was also named to the second team.

Blanchard and Lane, who are hitting .399 and .385 respectively, have helped form a formidable middle of the lineup with Romero. The duo has combined for 96 RBI and 19 home runs this year behind the national player-of-the-year candidate Romero.

“Romero’s had a great freshman year for us, but the key to that is having hitters behind her, because otherwise people can just pitch around her,” Hutchins said. “The fact that Blanchard and Ashley Lane have done such a great job all year, whether it’s power or just putting the ball in play and just capitalizing, they’ve done great.”

As of late, Romero has struggled at the plate and in the field, going 0-for-8 over the weekend after hitting 66 RBI and 22 home runs this season. Her cold streak in at the Big Ten Tournament hindered the Wolverines from advancing past the semifinals.