ANN ARBOR >> The Carol Hutchins era has been over for a few years now for Michigan softball, but the Wolverines still have a competitive program in Bonnie Tholl’s third year of running the show.

Tholl had been Hutchins’ top assistant coach for 29 years, including Michigan’s national championship run 20 years ago that was topped off with a title game win over UCLA when freshman Samantha Findlay hit a home run in the 10th inning.

Don’t expect Michigan (34-19, 11-11 Big Ten) to reach Oklahoma City for a run at the national title this season, but it showed it can compete with the best during a couple close losses against No. 7 UCLA last week at Carol Hutchins Stadium. The Wolverines closed out the regular season by taking two of three at Minnesota.

This is the 20th anniversary of Michigan’s national championship run, and the Wolverines are still in the mix to make the NCAA tournament. They can clinch a berth in the Big Ten tournament, which takes place Wednesday through Saturday in West Lafayette, Indiana. Michigan, the No. 8 seed, will face ninth-seeded Wisconsin in the first round.

“This group had high hopes when the season started,” Tholl said. “We’ve had incredible moments but have lacked the consistency when we get great pitching and great hitting at the same time. We’re still waiting to get on track to what we aspire to be.

“When I took over from Hutch, what I took away from her was that you can’t control everything. Let (the players) take ownership and take care of their day-to-day responsibilities. You’re always trying to create a better experience and that’s a winning experience. Giving them ownership and getting them to believe in themselves and each other … that’s empowerment.”

Tholl had her players believe in the process a year ago when she guided the Wolverines to a 43-18 record, including 33 wins in their final 42 games. They won the Big Ten tournament title and advanced to the NCAA tournament, where they lost to Oklahoma State in the regional final.

It’s always tough to replace a legend. Hutchins led Michigan to 22 Big Ten regular-season titles and 12 NCAA Women’s College World Series, including another run to the national championship game in 2015.

Tholl has recruited well with longtime assistant Jennifer Brundage — the same way Hutchins & Co. did 20 years ago when Jennie Ritter dominated on the mound — by getting the West Coast stars, along with second-generation players and their share of the top talent from the home state.

“We have so many people who care for each other, pull for each other, so the fight and energy is there,” said senior outfielder Ellie Sieler, who is hitting .338. “We’re looking to be clicking on all cylinders at the Big Ten tournament. We need to just hit the reset button.”

Madi Ramey has a good relationship with Tholl, saying they are talking more during her junior season.

“She’s one of the best coaches and it’s been awesome playing here, always been my dream to play at Michigan,” said Ramey, who is batting .284 with six homers three years after leading Allen Park to the Division 1 state championship.

“I feel each and every one of us have our own strengths and it’s great to see how we blend together. We just have to be more consistent and get our hitting and pitching going well at the same time down the stretch or we won’t be playing in the NCAA tournament.”

Ramey is among several players from the state of Michigan, along with Sieler (Monroe), catcher Lilly Vallimont (Trenton), sophomore outfielder Ella Stephenson (Algonac), sophomore pitcher Reganne Bennett (Novi), sophomore Ava Costales (St. Clair Shores Lakeview), and freshmen Megan Beemer (Hudsonville), Cece Thorington (Pinckney) and Jenna Ouellette (Chelsea).

The Wolverines are batting .313 as a team, with sophomore outfielder Jenissa Conway, from California, and freshman Lauren Putz, from Phoenix, leading the way. Conway is hitting .369 with 16 homers, 45 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. Putz is flirting with Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors, hitting .391 with 13 homers and 44 RBIs.

Michigan has a talented 1-2 punch on the mound in sophomore Erin Hoehn (16-6, 3.03 ERA) and senior Lauren Derkowski (14-12, 2.73 ERA).

Putz grew up watching the Wolverines, and that’s what happens when you’re the daughter of elite athletes who played at Michigan. Her father, J.J. Putz, led Trenton to the state baseball championship 30 years ago before playing for the Wolverines and becoming an All-Star closer for the Seattle Mariners (2007, 40 saves, 6-1, 1.38 ERA).

Putz’s mother, Kelsey Kollen, played second base for Hutchins in the late 1990s and early 2000s. She earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 1999 and earned first-team All-American honors in 2002.

“I grew up a Michigan fan, but knew I wanted to play at Michigan and be a Wolverine when I came on a recruiting trip, went to a football game, went bowling as a team and just saw how it was such a close-knit team,” Putz said.

“My mom told me stories about when she played at Michigan and how she’d run through a wall for Hutch to get a win, all about the trips and bus rides and how fun it was. They still stay in touch. I feel the same way with Coach (Tholl).”

What would it mean to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors, just like her mother did?

“Obviously, that’s what every freshman wants. There’s a lot of good ones, but it would be great,” said Putz, a designated hitter who’s still learning to play first base. “Offense is my strength. I’m just keeping things simple and playing my game, not looking ahead, staying in the moment.”