Wolverines Drop Chaotic Rubber Game to No. 21 Northwestern

Sunday, April 23

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Noon

Michigan

24-18, 10-7

Northwestern

30-10, 15-2

Northwestern

Michigan

(Michigan Photography)

Wolverines Drop Chaotic Rubber Game to No. 21 Northwestern

4/23/2023 4:02:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan dropped the series rubber game 3-0 to No. 21 Northwestern after a three-run seventh.
» U-M put three runners on to threaten in the sixth but was stymied by two controversial calls on a stolen base attempt and ball down the right-field line; Lexie Blair led U-M with two hits.
» Lauren Derkowski tossed six shutout innings and struck out seventh but allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan softball team threatened to break the deadlocked score in the sixth but was stymied by a pair of controversial calls while No. 21 Northwestern surged in the top of the seventh to claim the series rubber match 3-0 on Sunday afternoon (April 23) in front of 2,130 fans at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field at Carol Hutchins Stadium.

Michigan (24-18, 10-7 Big Ten) put three runners on in the bottom of the sixth inning. Graduate-student outfielder Lexie Blair led off with a single to center but was throw out attempting to steal second -- though video showed her beating the tag. U-M kept the momentum despite the call with a single and an intentional walk. Graduate-student first baseman Melina Livingston lifted a ball down the right-field line that would have scored at least one, but the home-plate umpire called it foul despite it hitting the line. U-M ultimately stranded both runners.

It was the Wildcats (30-10, 15-2 Big Ten) instead who broke through first in the top of the seventh, reaching on a leadoff walk and bunt single before using a two-out, two-strike single to center to push across a pair of runs. Northwestern added another on a single to left in the next at-bat.

Senior third baseman Audrey LeClair looped a one-out double to shallow right in the home half of the seventh and advanced on a groundout that glanced off the pitcher's glove before a strikeout ended the contest.

Both teams had other chances to score, leaving seven apiece stranded. Michigan threatened early by putting its first two batters of the game on base with a leadoff single and walk, while the Wolverines threw out two Wildcats at home -- in the fifth and seventh frames.

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Lauren Derkowski (17-8) was solid from the circle despite defeat, striking out six while allowing three runs -- all in the seventh -- on seven hits and two walks.

Michigan will host Indiana next weekend for a three-game series that kicks off at 6 p.m. on Friday (April 28) at Alumni Field at Carol Hutchins Stadium. The game will be streamed live on B1G+, and tickets are still available through the U-M Ticket Office.