Wolverines Strike Early, Shut Out CMU in Non-Conference Action

Wednesday, April 10

Ann Arbor, Mich.

6:00 PM

Michigan

26-14

Central Michigan

7-24

Central Michigan

Michigan

Lilly Vallimont (Michigan Photography)

Wolverines Strike Early, Shut Out CMU in Non-Conference Action

4/10/2024 8:15:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Leah Howard

» The Wolverines struck early en route to a 5-0 victory over CMU.
» Maddie Erickson plated two runs in the game with a two-RBI double in the bottom of the first inning.
» Erin Hoehn and Lauren Derkowski combined for a shutout, striking out ten total CMU batters.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan softball team kicked off an eight-game home stand with a victory on Wednesday (April 10), defeating Central Michigan University 5-0 at Alumni Field at Carol Hutchins Stadium.

Maddie Erickson made the difference for the Wolverines at the plate, scoring two of the game's three total runs with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the first inning. Erin Hoehn made a strong performance in the start for the Maize and Blue, pitching four full innings and striking out six CMU batters. Lauren Derkowski finished out the game for Michigan in the circle with an equally impressive performance of her own, preventing the Chippewas (7-24) from capitalizing on their only two scoring opportunities of the game.

Erickson brought home the first two runs of the game for the Maize and Blue in the bottom of the first inning, sending a bullet to the right-center field wall that brought in Ellie Sieler and Indiana Langford on a two RBI double. The Chippewas' best chance at threatening Michigan's lead came in the top of the fifth inning, when a walk, single, and wild pitch put two CMU base runners in scoring position. Central Michigan couldn't capitalize however, as a groundout to Langford stranded both base runners with no damage done to the Wolverines.

The Maize and Blue added a valuable insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning, when a passed ball by the CMU catcher allowed Sieler to reach home for the second time in the game. An error and a wild pitch by the Chippewas in the bottom of the sixth led to Lilly Vallimont and Jenissa Conway crossing the plate, giving Michigan its final two runs of the contest.

In CMU's final at-bat of the game, a collision in right field between Wolverine fielders allowed Central Michigan to round all the way to third base with one out. Derkowski kept the shutout intact however, recording both of the final outs to seal a 5-0 Maize and Blue victory.

The Wolverines (26-14) continue their longest home stand of the season on Friday (Apr. 12) with the first of a three game series against the Iowa Hawkeyes. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 pm, and the game will be streamed on B1G+.