In its first game against in-state rival Michigan State, the Michigan softball team had a sixth-inning defensive collapse and lackluster offensive production, leading to a devastating one-run loss. In the second game against the Spartans — and the first of a Saturday doubleheader — the Wolverines exploded in the third inning to take a run-rule victory. With the series win on the line for the final game, both teams needed to take what made them successful in their respective wins and execute.
The second game started just 30 minutes after the first game of the day ended, but any fatigue the teams may have had was nowhere to be found. After a Michigan State (10-17 overall, 2-9 Big Ten) grand slam gave it a lead in the top of the fourth inning, and a lot of back-and-forth home runs between the two teams, Michigan (28-9, 7-1) clawed its way back to a 9-8 win thanks to a spark by sophomore right-hander Erin Hoehn.
The Wolverines needed to stay sharp on defense, as that had been the defining trait of the series. And for the first two innings, they were. A combination of senior right-hander Lauren Derkowski’s strategic pitching and Michigan’s fielders pulling out all the stops — including an impressive second-inning defensive performance — held the Spartans scoreless, while the Wolverines took a two-run lead. Now, all Michigan had to do was not lose that momentum.
But the Wolverines’ defense cracked early. In the top of the third inning, a walk, single and hit-by-pitch loaded the bases for Michigan State. Spartans first baseman Kaelin Cash sent one over center field for a grand slam home run — her second home run of the series, both coming against Derkowski. The inning left Derkowski struggling, as she wasn’t reading batters with the same precision she’s usually known for. While Michigan patched things up by back-to-back groundouts, it was down two runs and needed to catch up fast.
Derkowski wasn’t playing her best and Wolverines coach Bonnie Tholl knew that. So, after Derkowski walked the first batter in the top of the fourth inning, in came sophomore right-hander Erin Hoehn. Hoehn had just pitched four of the prior five game. As soon as Hoehn entered, a batter bunted, but Hoehn was ready for the catch in the first out of the inning. With three straight outs occuring after Hoehn came into relief Derkowski, Michigan was energized.
Hoehn’s appearance in the circle carried through to the Wolverines’ offense. A three-run home run from sophomore center fielder Jenissa Conway with runners on first and second gave Michigan its lead back. Next up, stood freshman designated Lauren Putz, who had been waiting all game for a run. Putz hit the ball far into the right field corner and sprinted her way around the bases for a run, giving the Wolverines a 6-4 lead.
Though, Michigan State wasn’t going down without a fight. After a single, Cash sent a two-run home run past the left-field wall to tie up the game in the top of the fifth, but Michigan responded with its own two-run home run from Conway, giving the lead back to the Wolverines. Cash had one more in her, though, and with her third two-run home run of the game, she tied the game in the top of the seventh inning. Michigan couldn’t find a response and the game went into extra innings.
The tension was palpable, as the game could go either way. Hoehn and her defense kept the Spartans off the board in the eighth inning, while sophomore right fielder Ella Stephenson brough Conway home from second for the victory, 9-8.
While Michigan State may have prepared for Derkowski, it’s clear that they weren’t ready for the change in pace Hoehn brought. Hoehn’s fourth-inning entrance kept Michigan in the game, eventually pulling off a 2-1 series win. And because of that oversight, Michigan remained victorious over its in-state rival.
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