Blair Breaks U-M Doubles Record, Wolverines Blank Kent State in Home Opener

Thursday, March 9

Ann Arbor, Mich.

4:00 PM

Michigan

11-10

Kent State

5-14

Kent State

Michigan

Lauren Derkowski (Michigan Photography)

Blair Breaks U-M Doubles Record, Wolverines Blank Kent State in Home Opener

3/9/2023 7:36:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan scored three runs over the first three innings en route to a 4-0 shutout against Kent State in its 2023 home opener at Alumni Field.
» RHP Lauren Derkowski struck out four and allowed just two hits and four walks to earn her first complete-game shutout this season.
» Lexie Blair used a first-inning RBI double to plate the winning run and establish a new Michigan career doubles record with 62.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan softball team built its lead gradually over the early innings to kick off the home portion of its 2023 season with a 4-0 win against Kent State on Thursday afternoon (March 9) at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field.

Sophomore RHP Lauren Derkowski (5-4) was also solid from the Wolverine circle, tossing a two-hit shutout -- her first of the season -- with four strikeouts and walks. KSU also capitalized on three Michigan errors, but Derkowski left nine Golden Flashes stranded, including bases loaded in the fourth and fifth innings.

Graduate student outfielder Lexie Blair drove in the game-winning run -- and established a new Michigan school record -- with an RBI double to the left center gap in just the second at-bat of the game to plate graduate student outfielder Ellie Mataya from first base. Blair now has 62 career doubles and broke the three-way tie she held with Wolverine greats Catherine Davie (1996-99) and Alessandra Giampaolo (2005-08).

Mataya earned an RBI of her own on second-inning fielder's choice. U-M used a leadoff hit-by-pitch and single to put two on and, with two outs, Mataya drilled a grounder to the KSU shortstop. The Golden Flashes earned the out on the basepath between second and third to end the inning -- but after graduate student first baseman Melina Livingston crossed home plate on the play.

Michigan tacked on another on a two-out throwing error -- with sophomore outfielder Ellie Sieler scoring from third -- in the third inning and wrapped up scoring with Sieler's bases-loaded walk in the sixth. The Wolverines used a pair of hits, including a double down the leftfield line from senior third baseman Audrey LeClair, and a hit-by-pitch to load the bases. Like Kent State, U-M left nine runners stranded in the game.

Tweet of the Game

There it is! Michigan has a new career doubles record holder with the @lexieeblairr RBI two-bagger in the first.

Way to go, Lexie!! ???? #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/l9WksoF2rV
— Michigan Softball (@umichsoftball) March 9, 2023

The Wolverines (11-10) will take the rest of the weekend off after an inclement weather forecast wiped out their original six-game home tournament schedule but resume action with a 4:30 p.m. state against Bowling Green next Wednesday (March 15) at Alumni Field. Tickets are available through the U-M Ticket Office.