Wolverines Surge Late to Earn Run-Rule, Series Sweep of MSU

Tuesday, April 18

Ann Arbor, Mich.

6:00 PM

Michigan

23-16, 9-5

Michigan State

12-25, 2-12

Michigan State

Michigan

(Michigan Photography)

Wolverines Surge Late to Earn Run-Rule, Series Sweep of MSU

4/18/2023 9:28:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan scored four runs in the fifth inning to earn an 8-0, five-inning win and complete the series sweep over in-state rival Michigan State.
» Ellie Sieler went 3-for-4 with two RBI, including the game-ending single to rightfield.
» Lauren Derkowski struck out four while allowing five hits and three walks en route to the complete-game shutout.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan softball team exploded for four runs in the fifth inning to wrap up an 8-0, five-inning win over in-state rival Michigan State on Tuesday evening (April 18) in front of 2,104 fans at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field at Carol Hutchins Stadium. With the win, the Wolverines earned the home-and-home sweep and claimed their fourth straight Big Ten Conference series win.

Michigan capitalized on early Spartan miscues to plate the first run of the game in the second. Freshman pinch runner Madi Ramey advanced two bases on a two-error play off a grounder to the MSU third baseman and scored on a wild pitch in the dirt the bounced high and high from the plate.

The Wolverines added runs in each of the following three innings. Sophomore outfielder Ellie Sieler ripped a double to the warning track in left center for the Wolverines' first hit and slid safely into home on a fielder's choice to second base. Sieler also looped an RBI single into shallow left to score U-M's run in the fourth.

The Wolverines let their bats loose in the fifth frame, posting three singles and a double to plate four and hit the run-rule margin. Tholl keyed the surge with a leadoff double to the right center gap and Michigan loaded the bases before creating some havoc on the basepath. Sophomore shortstop Ella McVey connected with the 3-2 and lifted a two-out, two-run single into center then induced an errant to second base to allow another run to score. Sieler, who tied her career best with three hits, ended the game in the next at-bat, plating McVey from third with a line-drive single to right.

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Lauren Derkowski (16-7) recorded her fifth consecutive win from the circle and her fourth complete-game shutout on the season. She struck out four and allowed five hits and three walks over five shutout innings.

Michigan (23-16, 9-5 Big Ten) will host a three-game series against Northwestern this weekend at Alumni Field at Carol Hutchins Stadium. The first game of the series will start at 6 p.m. on Friday (April 21) and will be streamed live on B1G+. Tickets are still available through the U-M Ticket Office.