Every time junior second baseman Indiana Langford walks up to the plate for the Michigan softball team, the iconic theme song of the “Indiana Jones” franchise blares out of the speaker system at Carol Hutchins Stadium.
And similar to how her namesake outran a massive boulder in the opening scene of “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” Langford’s speed allows her to evade defenders and blaze around the bases. It’s a skill that makes her a crucial part of the Wolverines’ small-ball approach.
“When I get on base, I just like to cause chaos,” Langford said Tuesday. “(Michigan coach Bonnie Tholl) always says ‘You get on base, you’re gonna make something happen for us.’ And if I can get into scoring position to make the team win, or even just give us some form of advantage, I’m going to do that in any way.”
The Wolverines employ a balanced offensive strategy, relying on both power hitting for runs and small ball, which involves getting runners on base via singles and walks. As the leadoff hitter, Langford helps cause “chaos” for her opponent by playing small ball and facilitating sparks of offense that the rest of the lineup can build off of.
It’s a job she does with gusto. Langford is not a power hitter — according to her, she has hit two home runs in her career — but she still plays her part in the offense by using her quickness. A Nike All-American for track in high school, her speed has continued to serve her well in a different sport, emerging as one of the Wolverines’ preeminent threats on the bases.
Last season, Langford led the Wolverines in stolen bases with 16 on 21 attempts, in addition to an on-base percentage of .377. Her breakaway pace makes it difficult for infielders to tag her in time, allowing her safe passage to the next base. She’s continued to flourish in that role this season, stealing a team-high 11 of 12 bases in addition to an improved on-base percentage of .469, the second-highest figure on the team.
“If she moves defenders two and three steps, the chances of her being safe at the next base or at first base are great,” Tholl said. “And so we like a mix of power, speed and short game”.
The power and short game combination shines through in Langford’s understated, yet efficient, hitting prowess. Though she is not necessarily a long-ball hitter, she has still managed to consistently make contact at the plate. Her 39 hits are the fourth-most on the team, and her approach — which often involves showing bunt — enables her to make quick, safe contact before running to first base with the agility that serves as the cornerstone of her game.
“She definitely adheres to the philosophy of ‘run until the defense stops you’,” Tholl said. “And that’s not a cautious baserunner. That’s a really aggressive and savvy baserunner.”
That aggression makes Langford a key cog that keeps Michigan’s offensive machine ticking. Her speed on the basepath helps the Wolverines position themselves to score runs, and thrills spectators in the same vein as the fictional character with whom she shares a name and theme song.
The post Indiana Langford’s speed helps shape Michigan’s small ball approach appeared first on The Michigan Daily.
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