After profiting two runs from its first three batters of the outing on three straight singles and a pair of walks, the Michigan softball team found itself with the bases loaded and one out.
But Michigan State’s defense recovered, and lineout and strikeout later, all three of the Wolverines’ runners jogged back to the dugout with unsatisfied faces after being stood up by home base. It was at this point that Michigan’s small-ball style hit a standstill as a stretch of tepid offensive production left the door open for the Spartans.
The three singles and two walks Michigan obtained in the first inning was the most offensive production the offense saw all day, as a four-inning dry spell sunk the Wolverines (25-9 overall, 4-1 Big Ten) against rival Michigan State (10-16, 2-4), 4-3.
While senior right-hander Lauren Derkowksi contributed three strikeouts and gave up only one hit across the second and third innings, the Wolverines’ offense failed to blow their lead open. Even after a slap-hit single by sophomore second baseman Indiana Langford put a runner on base with outs to spare, a line drive by sophomore cnter fielder Jenissa Conway was hit on a rope to the right fielder’s glove, leaving Langford stranded in the middle of a steal attempt as she fell victim to an inning-ending double play.
The Spartans found a glimmer of hope in a solo home run, but Michigan still clutched onto it’s early lead with yet another chance to put the game out of reach. Instead, the Wolverines couldn’t get the wheels moving, going three up and three down for the third consecutive inning.
After a fifth inning offensive stalemate, the Spartan offense awakened in the sixth, batting in three runners off of a barrage of hits that caught the Wolverines’ defense off guard and put the visitors up, 4-2.
But there was still enough time for an answer. After a leadoff double from Stephenson and a single from freshman designated player Lauren Putz, Michigan was poised to alter the course of the outing. A single down the first base line from sophomore catcher Lilly Vallimont chiseled into the small Spartan lead.
Faced with a daunting Michigan State right-hander Carsyn Cassidy in the circle. And with the greatest look they received all afternoon, the Wolverines sputtered out as quickly as they had fired up. A pair of pop outs put the first two outs of the inning on the board, setting up a crushing ground out to first by junior first baseman Madi Ramey to halt any momentum swinging in the favor of the Wolverines.
Faced with one last opportunity to claw out a victory, Michigan’s first two batters in the seventh grounded out. A late single by Conway put the tying run in play, but a grounder from Stephenson was fielded and thrown across the diamond just in time to deliver the final blow.
From the earliest moments to the very end, the Wolverines had as many opportunities to score as their familiar foe. It was a failure to capitalize that inevitably that brought Michigan to a 1-1 record at home on the season.
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