Late Rally Falls Short in Series Finale Defeat at Ohio State

Monday, March 27

Columbus, Ohio

4:00 PM

Michigan

14-13, 0

Ohio State

20-8, 0

Michigan

Ohio State

Lexie Blair (Michigan Photography)

Late Rally Falls Short in Series Finale Defeat at Ohio State

3/27/2023 6:50:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan scored three runs apiece in the fifth and sixth innings but could not overcome a seven-run deficit in an 8-7 loss in the series finale at Ohio State.
» Lexie Blair matched a career best with four hits.
» OSU scored three runs each in the first and second innings to build a sizable early lead; half of the Buckeyes' runs were unearned.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The University of Michigan softball team scored three runs apiece in the fifth and sixth innings but its comeback bid fell just short in an 8-7 loss against rival Ohio State in the series finale on Monday (March 27) at Buckeye Field.

Trailing by seven runs after the third inning -- and again after the fourth -- Michigan scored three runs apiece in the fifth and sixth to pull within one on the scoreboard. U-M loaded the bases in both frames, walking in a run in the former before using a lucky bounce to tack on two more.

Freshman designated player Maddie Erickson sent a bouncer to the OSU shortstop, who turned and attempted to throw out graduate student outfielder Lexie Blair at third, but instead hit Blair in the helmet and ricocheted the ball into leftfield. Graduate student outfielder Ellie Mataya scored on the fielder's choice, and Blair rounded third to score on the error.

Michigan reloaded the bases quickly in the sixth with back-to-back singles down the leftfield line and a hit-by-pitch before plating runs in three straight at-bats. Blair drove an RBI single through the right side, junior catcher Keke Tholl curved a check-swing roller from foul to fair territory to score one on the unassisted groundout, and Erickson settled for a sac fly after getting robbed of a base hit by a diving catch in right center.

The Wolverines put the tying run on base with sophomore outfielder Ellie Sieler's leadoff single in the seventh but a pair of strikeouts and a third-out groundout could not advance her.

Ohio State took advantage of a Michigan fielding error to score three unearned runs in the first inning, scoring on a sac fly to centerfield before extending the inning with back-to-back RBI hits with two outs. The Buckeyes doubled up their lead with another three runs in the second inning, scoring on a triple before knocking out a two-run homer after a U-M pitching change.

U-M broke through with a run in the fourth, as Sieler drilled an RBI single up the middle to plate Blair from second base, but Ohio State got the run back in the home half to reestablish its seven-run lead.

Sieler posted a pair of hits, while Blair tied her career best with four hits, including a first-inning double. Tholl and Erickson both tallied a pair of RBI.

Sophomore RHP Lauren Derkowski (9-6) took the loss from the circle, allowing five runs -- though just two earned -- on five hits and two walks through two innings pitched. Junior RHP Jessica LeBeau threw the bulk of the innings, allowing three runs -- two earned -- on four hits and three walks over four frames.

Michigan (14-13, 1-2 Big Ten) will return home to host Oakland in midweek action at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday (March 29) at Alumni Field at Carol Hutchins Stadium. The game will be streamed live on B1G+, and tickets are still available through the U-M Ticket Office.