Wolverines Flex Offense in Run-Rule Win at Nebraska

Friday, March 31

Lincoln, Neb.

3:00 PM CT

Michigan

16-13, 2-2

Nebraska

24-11, 4-2

Michigan

Nebraska

Audrey LeClair (Michigan Photography)

3/31/2023 7:02:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan scored in the first three innings, including six runs in the third, to earn a 10-1 five-inning win over Nebraska in the weekend series opener.
» Keke Tholl posted three hits and four RBI, including a two-run homer in the third, while Lexie Blair tallied a pair of doubles and two RBI.
» Lauren Derkowski fanned six and allowed one run on two hits and no walks.

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The University of Michigan softball team plated multiple runs in each of the first three innings, including a six-spot in the third, to cruise to a 10-1 five-inning win in the series opener against Nebraska on Friday afternoon (March 31) at the Cornhuskers' Bowlin Stadium.

Junior catcher Keke Tholl went 3-for-3 with a double, a home run and four RBI, matching her career highs in both hits and RBI, while graduate student outfielder Lexie Blair posted two hits, two runs and two RBI to extend her hit streak to nine games. Blair, U-M's all-time doubles leader, posted a pair of two-baggers against the Huskers.

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Lauren Derkowski (10-6) was terrific from the circle, striking out six while allowing just one run on two hits and no walks. Nebraska (24-11, 4-2 Big Ten) spoiled the shutout bid with a two-out solo homer in the fourth inning.

The Wolverines (16-13, 2-2 Big Ten) scored two runs apiece in the first and second frames. Tholl drove in a run in each, using a sac fly to plate the game's first run before adding an RBI single in the second. Graduate student outfielder Ellie Mataya also plated a run in the second with an RBI double to left. U-M posted four total doubles in the contest.

Michigan broke it wide open in the third. Sophomore shortstop Ella McVey and senior third baseman Audrey LeClair posted back-to-back RBI singles before Blair and Tholl also went back-to-back with two-run base knocks. Blair drove a double to left-center and, just two pitches later, Tholl belted a straightaway shot over the center-field fence. It was her seventh long ball of the season and second in as many games.

Michigan will resume the Nebraska series at 4 p.m. CDT on Saturday (April 1) at Bowlin Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network.