Wolverines Win Big, Win Close on Day Two at The Raleigh Times

Saturday, March 1

Raleigh, N.C.

9:30 AM

Michigan

11-6

Queens

3-7

Queens

Michigan

Haley Ferguson (Michigan Photography)

Wolverines Win Big, Win Close on Day Two at The Raleigh Times

3/1/2025 3:30:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan defeated Queens, 10-1 in five innings, and UNC Wilmington, 2-1, to make it four straight wins at The Raleigh Times tournament.
» Haley Ferguson earned her first collegiate win in relief against Queens, while Erin Hoehn secured the win against UNCW and combined with Lauren Derkowski for eight strikeouts.
» Lauren Putz posted two doubles and five RBI against the Royals; it was her second five-RBI effort of the season.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The University of Michigan softball team picked up two more victories in continued action at The Raleigh Times tournament on Saturday (March 1), defeating Queens 10-1 in five innings and UNC Wilmington 2-1 at NC State's Dail Softball Stadium.

The Wolverine pitching staff allowed just two runs across 12 innings on the day. Sophomore RHP Erin Hoehn (7-2) earned the win against the Seahawks (14-4) in Game 2, allowing one unearned run on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts over 4.2 innings. Senior RHP Lauren Derkowski recorded the final seven outs after entering with the bases loaded in the fifth, adding three strikeouts en route to her second save of the season.

Freshman RHP Haley Ferguson (1-1) earned her first collegiate win in relief in the day's opener against the Royals (3-7), allowing one run on two hits—a solo homer in the third—with no walks over the final three innings.

Michigan manufactured both of its runs in the third inning against UNCW. Junior third baseman Maddie Erickson reached on a first-pitch leadoff hit-by-pitch, and junior first baseman Madi Ramey followed with a well-placed bunt single that died just inches in front of the box. Junior second baseman Indiana Langford then grounded out to short, plating one run, before Ramey came home on a throwing error from first to third that sailed behind the bag.

UNCW threatened with two runners in scoring position in both the second and third innings and capitalized on a Michigan error to score on a sacrifice fly in the fourth. Sophomore centerfielder Jenissa Conway nearly threw the runner out at home, but the Seahawks just avoided the tag. UNCW loaded the bases in the fifth with a single and two walks before Derkowski entered and struck out the next batter on four pitches to escape the jam.

The Seahawks threatened again in the seventh, putting two runners in scoring position on an infield single and a throwing error. Conway held the lead runner at third on a flyout to center before Derkowski closed out the game with another clutch strikeout.

Michigan opened the day with its quickest win of the season, earning its second victory over Queens in as many days with a 10-1, five-inning decision in under 90 minutes.

The Wolverines posted multiple runs in three of their five turns at the plate, including three apiece in the first and second innings. Freshman designated player Lauren Putz used a pair of doubles to drive in five of Michigan's first six runs, lacing a two-run double to the right-center gap in the first inning and a bases-clearing three-run double off the left-field wall in the second.

Queens threatened early, stranding two runners in scoring position in both the first and second innings, before breaking through with a one-out solo homer in the third for its only run of the game.

Michigan rallied with two outs to score four more runs in the fourth inning. Senior left fielder Ellie Sieler singled to left to drive in Conway from second base, and after a walk loaded the bases, Erickson and freshman Andee Dircks registered back-to-back RBI hits—Erickson with a two-run single to left and Dircks with a pinch-hit double to the right-field wall.

With the run-rule cushion in hand, Ferguson retired the Royals in order on just eight pitches to secure her first collegiate win.

Michigan (12-6) will wrap up play at The Raleigh Times tomorrow (Sunday, March 2) with a 10 a.m. game against UNC Wilmington at NC State's Dail Softball Stadium in Raleigh, N.C.