Michigan
28-17, 0
Wisconsin
24-16, 0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 10 | 0 |
| Wisconsin | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 10 | 4 |
Wolverines Surrender Seventh-Inning Lead in Heartbreaker at Wisconsin
4/19/2026 5:48:00 PM | Softball
» Michigan scored four runs in the seventh to retake the lead but dropped the Wisconsin series rubber game, 14-12, after the Badgers hit a walk-off three-run homer with two outs.
» Lauren Putz hit a three-run homer in the seventh, while Madi Ramey and Janelle Ilacqua combined for four hits and five RBI at the bottom of the order.
» U-M allowed 13 free bases -- nine walks and four hit batters -- as Wisconsin scored multiple runs in each of the last three innings.
MADISON, Wis. -- The University of Michigan softball team retook the lead in the top of the seventh but fell victim to a three-run walk-off homer in the bottom half, dropping a 14-12 decision to Wisconsin in the rubber game on Sunday afternoon (April 19) at the Badgers' Goodman Softball Complex.
Michigan trailed by three runs entering the seventh and plated four, highlighted by rightfielder Lauren Putz's three-run homer to right field with two outs -- her 17th of the season -- which pushed U-M back in front.
The Badgers answered in kind, however, putting two runners on base with a leadoff walk and a single. With two outs and a 3-2 count, Wisconsin first baseman Kaylie Whidden homered to center field.
The game featured four lead changes, and the Wolverines led by six runs midway through the fifth inning but struggled to limit free bases as Wisconsin scored multiple runs in each of the last three innings. Four different pitchers appeared for Michigan, combining for nine walks and four hit batters.
Junior RHP Gabby Ellis (10-5) started and took the loss, allowing six runs on five hits and three walks over 4.2 innings.
Wisconsin took the game's first lead with a two-run second inning. A leadoff double set the table, and the runner advanced on a groundout and scored on a squeeze bunt down the third-base line before a sacrifice fly added another run in the next at-bat.
Michigan got one back in the third and took the lead in the fourth. Senior second baseman Janelle Ilacqua reached on a bloop single to shallow left field, advanced two bases on an errant throw on a sacrifice bunt attempt and scored on a wild pitch. The Wolverines loaded the bases with one out in the fourth when senior first baseman Madi Ramey and Ilacqua drove in runs with RBI singles to right field on consecutive pitches. The pair combined for four hits and five RBI.
Michigan added four more runs in the fifth inning. Redshirt junior catcher Lilly Vallimont reached on a bad-hop single, and senior shortstop Avery Fantucci followed with an RBI single through the left side before Ramey doubled to the base of the wall in right-center field to give U-M an 8-2 lead.
Wisconsin responded with seven runs in the bottom of the fifth after loading the bases with two walks and a hit batter. Michigan recorded two outs but could not escape the inning as the Badgers tallied four singles and two walks over the next six batters.
The Badgers added two more runs in the sixth on an RBI double and a sacrifice fly to pull within three runs and set up the decisive seventh inning.
The Wolverines (28-17, 7-11 Big Ten) will open a four-game homestand with a 4:30 p.m. midweek matchup against Toledo on Tuesday (April 21) at the Wilpon Complex, home of Hutchins Stadium and Alumni Field. Tickets are available through the U-M Ticket Office, and the game will be streamed on B1G+.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Jordan Felci (1-0)
L: Ellis, Gabby (10-5)
Batting:
2B: Erickson, Maddie 1 ; Ramey, Madi 1
HR: Putz, Lauren 1
RBI: Putz, Lauren 3 ; Vallimont, Lilly 1 ; Fantucci, Avery 1 ; Ramey, Madi 4 ; Ilacqua, Janelle 1
SH: Langford, Indiana 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Putz, Lauren 2 ; Stephenson, Ella 1 ; Vallimont, Lilly 1 ; Dellamonica, Lexi 1 ; Beemer, Megan 1 ; Fantucci, Avery 1 ; Erickson, Maddie 2 ; Ramey, Madi 1 ; Ilacqua, Janelle 2
SB: Conway, Jenissa 1
HBP: Putz, Lauren 1
Batting:
2B: Danielle Lucy 1 ; Kaylie Whidden 1
HR: Kaylie Whidden 1
RBI: Emily Bojan 2 ; Hilary Blomberg 2 ; Alivia Bark 1 ; Makenzie Foster 1 ; Kaylie Whidden 5 ; Rylie Crane 3
SH: Kaylie Whidden 1
SF: Emily Bojan 1 ; Rylie Crane 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Emily Bojan 1 ; Hilary Blomberg 1 ; Alivia Bark 1 ; Danielle Lucy 2 ; Makenzie Foster 3 ; Kaylie Whidden 3 ; Ava Parent 1 ; Rylie Crane 1 ; Hannah Conger 1
SB: Ava Parent 1
HBP: Hilary Blomberg 1 ; Kendra Lewis 1 ; Kaylie Whidden 1 ; Hannah Conger 1
