Wolverines Take Suspended Opener, Fall in Game Two at Wisconsin

Saturday, April 18

Madison, Wis.

Noon CT

Michigan

28-15, 0

Wisconsin (completion of suspended game)

22-16, 0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Michigan	3	0	0	2	0	1	1	7	9	1
Wisconsin	3	0	0	0	1	0	0	4	5	2

Ella Stephenson (Michigan Photography)

Wolverines Take Suspended Opener, Fall in Game Two at Wisconsin

4/18/2026 7:17:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan split the first two games of its Wisconsin series, claiming the suspended opener 7-4 before falling 6-3 in the day's second slate.
» Gabby Ellis allowed just one run on two hits and a walk with six strikeouts over 6.1 innings in the first game.
» Ella Stephenson posted three extra-base hits, including a three-run homer in the opener, and five RBI.

MADISON, Wis. -- The University of Michigan softball team wrapped up a 7-4 win in a thunderstorm-suspended series opener against Wisconsin before falling 6-3 in the second slate as the teams split a Saturday (April 18) doubleheader at the Badgers' Goodman Softball Complex.

Both teams scored three runs in the first inning of the opener, which started Friday afternoon. With two outs, sophomore right fielder Lauren Putz legged out an infield single and junior right-handed pitcher/first baseman Erin Hoehn was hit by a pitch, setting the stage for junior left fielder Ella Stephenson, who crushed a first-pitch home run to left field for her seventh long ball of the season.

Wisconsin answered immediately in the bottom half, leading off with a solo homer before also rallying with two outs to plate two on a double over freshman shortstop Kiley Carr's head at short.

After a quiet second inning and a pair of Badger defensive misplays that Michigan could not capitalize on, lightning in the area sent both teams indoors for a one-hour delay before the game was suspended in the middle of the third with the score still tied.

The Wolverines leaned on their defense to escape trouble in the resumed third. Wisconsin put two aboard with a walk and a hit-by-pitch, but Michigan turned a key double play with senior third baseman Maddie Erickson diving to catch a line drive to the 5-6 hole and making a throw to second from her knees.

Michigan scored in three of the final four innings -- every inning played after the game resumed -- and retook the lead for good with a pair of runs in the fourth. Erickson drew a leadoff walk, and singles from Carr and senior second baseman Janelle Ilacqua loaded the bases. After a fielder's choice cut down the lead runner at the plate, junior center fielder Jenissa Conway delivered an RBI infield single on a low liner that deflected off the Badger pitcher. Putz followed with a full-count walk to force in another run and push Michigan ahead, 5-3.

Wisconsin trimmed the deficit to one with a leadoff homer in the fifth, but Michigan responded again in the sixth. Senior designated player Indiana Langford reached on a bunt single, advanced on a walk and hit-by-pitch and scored on a wild pitch that skipped away from the catcher.

The Wolverines' defense held firm down the stretch. In the sixth, Putz made a diving catch in shallow right to rob a hit and strand a runner in scoring position. In the seventh, Erickson provided insurance with a solo homer to left field -- her sixth of the season -- to make it 7-4.

Junior RHP Gabby Ellis (10-4) was outstanding from the circle, earning the win in relief after coming in with the bases loaded and two outs in the first. She fanned six Badger batters and allowed just one run on two hits and a walk over 6.1 innings.

Wisconsin pulled away early in the second game, using a two-run homer in the first and three more runs off bases loaded in the second to build a 5-0 lead. The Badgers again took advantage of bases loaded to push across a run -- and close out their scoring -- in the fourth. Wisconsin left 12 runners on base in the contest.

Michigan cut the deficit in half in the sixth when Stephenson drove a two-run double over the Badger center fielder's head after U-M loaded the bases with no outs. Stephenson finished with three extra-base hits and five RBI on the day. The Wolverines plated one more on an RBI groundout before the rally faded with two more quick outs to follow.

Four different Wolverine pitchers earned at least an inning of work. Sophomore RHP Kat Meyers (6-4) started and took the loss, allowed five runs -- four earned -- on six hits over the first 1.1 innings. Freshman RHP Grayson LaMarche proved the most effective, setting down the Badgers in order in the bottom of the sixth with a pair of strikeouts.

Conway drew a two-walk to give Michigan a baserunner in the seventh, but the Wolverines could not move her.

The Wolverines (28-16, 7-10 Big Ten) will close out the weekend series against Wisconsin with a noon CT game on Sunday (April 19) at the Goodman Softball Complex in Madison, Wis.