Michigan Blanks Oakland in Home Opener

Tuesday, March 19

Ann Arbor, Mich.

4:00 PM

Michigan

17-11

Oakland

9-9

Oakland

Michigan

Jenissa Conway (Michigan Photography)

3/19/2024 7:01:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan blanked Oakland in its 2024 home opener.
» Lauren Derkowski struck out seven batters in seven innings of work.
» Jenissa Conway recorded her fifth homer of the season.
» Ava Costales launched her first career home run as a Wolverine.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan softball team used two home runs in the second inning to secure a 2-0 shutout victory over Oakland in its 2024 home opener Tuesday (March 19) at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field at Carol Hutchins Stadium.

The freshman duo of Jenissa Conway and Ava Costales powered the Wolverines (17-11) past the Golden Grizzlies (9-9) as the pair had a solo home run each in the second inning, while Maddie Erickson and Ella McVey each had one hit.

In the circle, Lauren Derkowski pitched a complete game with seven strikeouts, including three in the seventh inning, and surrendered just three hits.

Oakland threatened in the top of the second as it moved a runner 60-feet from home on a back-to-back sacrifice bunts, but a short fly to right field ended the inning before a run could cross the plate.

Michigan lit up the scoreboard in the bottom half of the inning as Conway blasted a home run off the center-field bleachers and Costales sent a solo homer over the left-center field wall to give U-M a 2-0 lead after two innings.

Derkowski was touched for a pair of hits in the fifth and one in the seventh and the U-M defense provided 1-2-3 innings in the fourth and sixth innings to help the cause. After the leadoff hit allowed in the seventh, Derkowski fanned the next three batters to end the game.

The Wolverines open Big Ten Conference play with a three-game series against Purdue, Friday through Sunday (March 22-24) at Alumni Field at Carol Hutchins Stadium. First pitch for Friday's game (March 22) is slated for 5 p.m., and the game will be streamed live on B1G+.