Tholl, Derkowski Headline Extra-Inning Walk-Off Win Over Illinois

Sunday, April 9

Ann Arbor, Mich.

2:00 PM

Michigan

19-15, 5-4

Illinois

23-17, 2-8

Illinois

Michigan

Keke Tholl (Michigan Photography)

Tholl, Derkowski Headline Extra-Inning Walk-Off Win Over Illinois

4/9/2023 5:40:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan earned a 2-1 eight-inning win over Illinois to clinch its second straight Big Ten series.
» Keke Tholl banged a hard RBI double off the left-center field wall to score Ellie Sieler for the game-winning run.
» Lauren Derkowski allowed one run on five hits and three walks and struck out seven.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Junior catcher Keke Tholl banged a walkoff double off the left-center field wall to propel the University of Michigan softball team to a 2-1 eight-inning decision in the rubber match against Illinois on Sunday afternoon (April 9) in front of 1,463 fans at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field at Carol Hutchins Stadium. It was the Wolverines' second straight Big Ten Conference series win.

Both teams had a chance to score in the seventh. Illinois (23-17, 2-8 Big Ten) posted back-to-back leadoff singles in the top half and used a sacrifice bunt to advance both before Michigan (19-15, 5-4 Big Ten) earned a big second out on a soft lineout to senior third baseman Audrey LeClair in foul territory on the next pitch. The Wolverines intentionally walked the bases loaded and stranded all three Illini on a flyout to shallow left field.

Freshman second baseman Indiana Langford drew a leadoff walk in the home half of the seventh, stole second and advanced to third -- with no outs -- when the throw went into center field, but Michigan could not plate her to send the game to extra innings.

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Lauren Derkowski retired the side on just 10 pitches in the eighth to return the Wolverines to the plate with the top of the lineup due up. Sophomore outfielder Ellie Sieler connected with the 1-2 pitch at her eyeballs and sent it up the middle for a leadoff single, advanced on a sac bunt and scored on Tholl's walk-off double. Tholl's hit appeared to be headed out of the park but instead hit the left-center wall hard and kicked back into the outfield grass to allow Sieler to score easily.

Michigan was forced to rally after Illinois scored first on a leadoff homer in the second inning. Sieler also scored U-M's first -- and game-tying -- run in the third after graduate student outfielder Lexie Blair skipped a hard grounder up the middle with two outs.

Derkowski (12-7) was terrific from the circle, allowing just one run on five hits and three walks while striking out seven over eight innings.

Michigan will travel to East Lansing, Mich., for its makeup date against Michigan State on Wednesday (April 12). The game is slated for a 5 p.m. start at Secchia Stadium.