Michigan
22-14, 2-8
Northwestern
17-15, 5-4
Wolverines Drop Pitchers' Duel in Series Opener at Northwestern
4/3/2026 11:15:00 PM | Softball
» Michigan fell 4-0 in a pitchers' duel in the series opener at Northwestern.
» The Wildcats scored all four runs on back-to-back doubles in the fifth inning.
» U-M had a run taken off the board after review in the fourth for leaving early; the Wolverines stranded eight runners, including three in the top of the fifth.
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- The University of Michigan softball team came out on the losing end of a pitchers' duel, 4-0, in the series opener against Northwestern on Friday night (April 3) at the Ballpark at Rosemont. NU scored all four of its runs in the fifth inning, while it was the Wolverines' first shutout loss of the season.
The Wildcats used back-to-back doubles to break the scoreless tie with two outs in the fifth after loading the bases with a leadoff walk and two bunt singles -- holding the runner at third on the latter. Junior right-handed pitcher Erin Hoehn set down the next batter swinging, but Northwestern laced one down the left-field line to plate three, then added another with a deep fly to left on the next pitch.
Michigan (22-14, 2-8 Big Ten) appeared to strike first in the previous inning when redshirt junior catcher Lilly Vallimont pounded an RBI triple to the left-center field gap with two outs in the fourth. But Northwestern challenged the runner for leaving early, and the call was overturned on review to take the run off the board and end the inning.
Hoehn (3-4) was solid despite defeat and grew stronger as the game wore on, posting five strikeouts while allowing four runs on five hits and five walks. All but one of her walks allowed were in the first two innings, while four of Northwestern's five hits came in the fifth inning.
For her part of the duel, Northwestern pitcher Marina Mason struck out eight and allowed four hits and two walks. The Wolverines stranded eight runners in the game, including two with the bases loaded in the fifth and two apiece in the third and seventh innings.
Michigan will face Northwestern again at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday (April 4) at the Ballpark at Rosemont. The game will be streamed live on B1G+.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Mason, Marina (8-8)
L: Hoehn, Erin (3-4)
Base Running:
HBP: Erickson, Maddie 2
Batting:
2B: Donahey, Bridget 1 ; Nader, Kelsey 1
RBI: Donahey, Bridget 3 ; Nader, Kelsey 1
SH: Cunnea, Izzy 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Nieto, Grace 1 ; Raye, Emma 1 ; Donahey, Bridget 1 ; Medina, Tru 1
SB: Medina, Tru 1
