Even with a rain-cancelled game against Syracuse, the Tigers opened the season with four straight victories, backed by outstanding pitching and offense which showed some ability to put up high run totals.
The Tigers season kicked off with a 3-0 victory over Illinois-Chicago on Thursday that highlighted the best and worst of the 2017 Tigers. Best, in that Carley Hoover was her typically incredible self. She carried a perfect game into the fourth inning and ultimately allowed just two hits and struck out 12. Worst, in that the Tiger offense struggled for most of the night, failing to break through until the fifth inning.