Wolverines Fall in Extras to USF Despite Derkowski's Gem

Thursday, February 9

Tampa, Fla.

6:00 PM

Michigan

0-1

USF

1-0

Michigan

South Florida

Lauren Derkowski (Michigan Photography)

Wolverines Fall in Extras to USF Despite Derkowski's Gem

2/9/2023 9:29:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan sacrificed a late lead to fall to USF, 2-1, in eight innings in its 2023 season opener -- and the first game under head coach Bonnie Tholl.
» RHP Lauren Derkowski struck out a career-high nine while allowing two runs -- both unearned -- along with three hits and a walk.
» Melina Livingston went 2-for-4 with a sixth-inning RBI single; U-M outhit USF, 4-3.

TAMPA, Fla. -- The University of Michigan softball team sacrificed a late lead to drop its 2023 opener -- and first game under head coach Bonnie Tholl -- to USF, 2-1, in eight innings on Thursday (Feb. 9) at the Bulls' USF Softball Stadium. A pitchers' duel early, both teams plated one in the sixth before USF scored the winning run on a wild pitch.

Sophomore RHP Lauren Derkowski pitched a complete-game gem in defeat, recording a career-high nine strikeouts, including three with the game on the line in the bottom of the seventh, while allowing two runs -- both unearned -- on three hits and a walk.

With the international tiebreaker in play for extra innings, USF started the eighth with a runner on second base, advanced her on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch that sailed high and to the backstop.

Michigan had its own chance in the top half of the eighth. Graduate student outfield Ellie Mataya started on second and moved to third when junior catcher Keke Tholl got a bunt down before colliding with the USF pitcher. Initially awarded first on interference, Tholl was then called for obstruction, Michigan given an out and Mataya was ultimately stranded at third.

Mataya tallied U-M's lone run with two outs in the sixth inning after reaching on a leadoff walk. Graduate student second baseman Melina Livingston drove a comebacker through the circle and up the middle; it was bobbled slightly at edge of the grass, and Mataya rounded third to score in her Maize and Blue debut.

USF answered quickly, however, after taking advantage of a stolen base and throwing error to score on a fielder's choice down the first baseline, just beating the tag at the plate. Sophomore leftfielder Ellie Sieler robbed the Bulls of an additional run in the next at-bat, making a spectacular leaping catch against the left field fence -- and hanging on when the fence opened up behind her.

Michigan outhit the Bulls, 4-3, with Livingston going 2-for-4 with the sixth-inning RBI to lead the team. Junior first baseman Ryleigh Carricaburu and sophomore shortstop Ella McVey also earned hits at the bottom of the order; it was Carricaburu's second collegiate hit.

The Wolverines (0-1) will head to Leesburg, Fla., for a four-game slate at The Spring Games Opening Weekend at the Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex. U-M kicks off play against Colgate at 1:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on FloSoftball.