Wolverines Split B1G Doubleheader at Rival Ohio State

Sunday, March 26

Columbus, Ohio

1:00 PM

Michigan

14-11, 1-0

Ohio State

18-8, 0-1

Michigan

Ohio State

Lauren Derkowski (Michigan Photography)

Wolverines Split B1G Doubleheader at Rival Ohio State

3/26/2023 8:25:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan split its first Big Ten games, battling past Ohio State, 3-1, in 10 innings before falling to the Buckeyes, 11-2 in five innings.
» Lauren Derkowski struck out 10 and allowed one run on six hits and two walks in the opener.
» Melina Livingston used a two-run infield single to plate the winning runs in the 10th inning.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The University of Michigan softball team split a doubleheader against rival Ohio State, winning 3-1 in 10 innings before falling 11-2 in five in its twice-delayed Big Ten Conference opener on Sunday (March 26) at Buckeye Field.

The Wolverines rallied from an initial deficit to win a gritty one in the series opener. After stranding a runner in scoring position in the ninth inning -- and OSU runners on second in both the eighth and ninth -- Michigan broke through with two runs in the 10th.

Graduate student outfielders Ellie Mataya and Lexie Blair led off with back-to-back singles, advanced on a sac bunt and scored when graduate student first baseman Melina Livingston glanced a bouncing grounder off the Buckeye pitcher's glove and ricocheted it toward the second baseman.

Sophomore RHP Lauren Derkowski fanned the first two Buckeyes in the home half, and Ohio State extended the game with a two-out single to left before Mataya ranged over to make the final out in right center.

Ohio State took an early lead after stringing together a walk and a two-out RBI single in the first inning before senior third baseman Audrey LeClair evened the score with a leadoff solo homer that hit the top of the wall in right center and bounced over for her first long ball of the season.

Derkowski (9-5) allowed the one run on six hits and two walks while striking out 10 batters -- her third game this season with double-digit strikeouts.

The Buckeyes took advantage of Michigan miscues to build a sizable early lead in the second slate, plating four unearned runs in the first inning and two more in the third -- all with two outs.

Michigan scored two of its own in the third on a Mataya sac fly and Blair RBI single up the middle. The Wolverines 6-7-8 hitters combined for five hits with sophomore outfielder Ellie Sieler and freshman second baseman Janelle Ilacqua posting two hits apiece.

OSU pushed the game into run-rule territory with five runs in the fourth, including a two-run homer and a two-run triple.

Junior Jessica LeBeau (5-7) took the loss, allowing four earned runs on eight hits and two walks through 3.1 innings. She struck out four.

Michigan (14-12, 1-1 Big Ten) will wrap the series with the rubber game at 4 p.m. tomorrow (Monday, March 27) at Buckeye Field.