Michigan
23-14, 0
Northwestern
17-18, 0
Wolverines Storm Back with 11 Unanswered Runs to Top Northwestern
4/5/2026 7:49:00 PM | Softball
» Michigan scored 11 unanswered runs en route to an 11-9 series-clinching win at Northwestern.
» The Wolverines plated three runs in the top of the seventh; Maddie Erickson singled to score the tying run and Cece Thorington came home with the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice.
» Grayson LaMarche earned the win in relief, allowing just one run on four hits and four walks over the final 5.1 innings; she did not allow a run after the second frame.
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- The University of Michigan softball team overcame a nine-run deficit after the second inning, scoring 11 unanswered runs to earn an 11-9 win on Sunday afternoon (April 5) at the Ballpark at Rosemont. It marked the Wolverines' second straight Big Ten Conference series win.
Michigan (24-14, 4-8 Big Ten) scored in four of the final five innings, including a three-run seventh to tie the game and take the lead. The Wolverines recorded four hits in the frame, 13 total in the game, and forced two pitching changes, including one with runners on the corners and no outs. Senior third baseman Maddie Erickson delivered an RBI single through the 5-6 hole to even the score.
A wild pitch moved both Wolverine runners into scoring position, and Michigan capitalized with the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice to third base as sophomore pinch runner Cece Thorington slid in safely when the Northwestern catcher could not secure the ball. Sophomore rightfielder Lauren Putz added insurance with a two-out infield single, her fourth RBI of the contest.
With the lead in hand, freshman RHP Grayson LaMarche worked a clean seventh inning, including a running catch from Putz in deep foul territory in right. Northwestern extended the inning with a two-out single before junior leftfielder Ella Stephenson recorded the final out in shallow left.
LaMarche (3-2) earned the victory with a strong relief performance, allowing one run on four hits and four walks with two strikeouts over 5.1 innings. She closed out the contest with five straight scoreless innings.
Northwestern took advantage of singles and Michigan miscues to score four runs in the first inning and five in the second. The Wildcats loaded the bases in both frames and scored all five of their second-inning runs with two outs as U-M struggled to get off the field.
The Wolverines began their comeback in the third when junior centerfielder Jenissa Conway launched a three-run home run to the top row of the rightfield grandstand, her second homer in as many games and 11th of the season. Putz followed in the fourth with a three-run shot to right-center to pull Michigan within two. It was her team-leading 14th home run of the season.
Senior second baseman Janelle Ilacqua added an RBI triple in the sixth, driving a ball over the leftfielder's head to score freshman shortstop Kiley Carr, who went 3-for-4 from the eighth spot in the order, from first base. Redshirt junior catcher Lilly Vallimont also recorded three hits on the day.
Michigan will return home to host rival Ohio State next weekend (April 10-12) at the Wilpon Complex, home of Hutchins Stadium and Alumni Field. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, with the final two games airing on the Big Ten Network. Tickets are available through the U-M Ticket Office.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: LaMarche, Grayson (3-2)
L: Dohse, Signe (2-3)
Batting:
2B: Stephenson, Ella 1
3B: Ilacqua, Janelle 1
HR: Conway, Jenissa 1 ; Putz, Lauren 1
RBI: Conway, Jenissa 3 ; Putz, Lauren 4 ; Erickson, Maddie 1 ; Ilacqua, Janelle 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Langford, Indiana 2 ; Conway, Jenissa 2 ; Putz, Lauren 1 ; Stephenson, Ella 1 ; Thorington, Cece 1 ; Beemer, Megan 1 ; Carr, Kiley 1 ; Ilacqua, Janelle 2
HBP: Langford, Indiana 1 ; Hoehn, Erin 1
Batting:
2B: Donahey, Bridget 1
RBI: Avvisato, Kaylie 2 ; Robinson, Kansas 1 ; Medina, Tru 1 ; Renschen, Kate 2 ; Nieto, Grace 1
SF: Robinson, Kansas 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Avvisato, Kaylie 1 ; Nader, Kelsey 1 ; Raye, Emma 1 ; Robinson, Kansas 1 ; Donahey, Bridget 2 ; Medina, Tru 1 ; Renschen, Kate 1 ; Cunnea, Izzy 1
SB: Avvisato, Kaylie 1 ; Raye, Emma 1 ; Renschen, Kate 1
HBP: Renschen, Kate 1
