Wolverines' Rally Falls Short in Opener Against No. 7 UCLA

Saturday, April 26

Ann Arbor, Mich.

6:00 PM

Michigan

32-16, 9-8

UCLA

43-7, 14-3

UCLA

Michigan

Lauren Putz and Ella McVey (Michigan Photography)

Wolverines' Rally Falls Short in Opener Against No. 7 UCLA

4/26/2025 10:04:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan pulled within one run in the sixth inning before ultimately falling 5-3 in the series opener against No. 7 UCLA -- the first-ever game between the two storied programs in Ann Arbor.
» UCLA scored three runs in the first two innings before adding insurance tallies in the fifth and top of the seventh.
» Ellie Sieler posted two hits with a run and an RBI; Lauren Putz also registered a hit and scored.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan softball team plated three across the fifth and sixth innings to pull within one, but its rally came up just short in a 5-3 loss in the series opener against No. 7 UCLA on Friday night (April 26) in front of 2,432 fans at the Wilpon Complex, home of Carol Hutchins Stadium and Alumni Field. It was the first-ever game between the two storied programs in Ann Arbor.

UCLA jumped out to an early lead, using a two-out single to score one in the first and a pair of RBI doubles to plate two more in the second. Michigan held the Bruins at bay in the middle innings to stay within striking distance.

Junior/sophomore catcher Lilly Vallimont threw out a pinch runner at second base for the second out of the third inning, and senior RHP Lauren Derkowski ended the frame with a 3-2 punchout just three pitches later. She then set down the side in order in the fourth.

The Bruins added to their lead with a leadoff solo homer in the top of the fifth, but Michigan started its rally in the home half of the inning. The Wolverines used singles from senior leftfielder Ellie Sieler and junior third baseman Maddie Erickson to put two on and, after back-to-back strikeouts threatened to leave them emptyhanded, they capitalized on UCLA miscues to score both runners. Junior second baseman Indiana Langford reached -- and U-M's first run scored -- on a throwing error wide of first base, then the Bruin first baseman threw the ball into centerfield attempting to get her at second, allowing a second run to score.

Freshman designated player Lauren Putz kept the momentum going with a leadoff single to right center in the sixth. She advanced on a sliding catch in leftfield foul territory and scored, narrowing the score to 4-3, when Sieler roped a two-out RBI single to left center.

UCLA answered in the top of the seventh, loading the bases with one out before pushing across an insurance run on a sac fly to right. The Bruins made a late pitching change between half innings and retired Michigan in order to close out the game.

Derkowski (12-12) was solid in defeat, allowing four runs on eight hits and four walks -- half of which came in the first two innings -- with four strikeouts. Senior RHP Emerson Aiken entered to start the sixth and pitched two effective innings with one run allowed on three hits and a walk. She earned a clutch punchout for the third out in the sixth to leave one stranded.

Michigan (32-16, 9-8 Big Ten) will resume its UCLA series with a 7 p.m. game tomorrow (Sunday, April 27) at Hutchins Stadium. Tickets are available through the U-M Ticket Office, while the game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.