Late Homer Dooms Wolverines in Loss at East Carolina

Wednesday, March 5

Greenville, N.C.

5:00 PM

Michigan

14-7

East Carolina

12-7

Michigan

East Carolina

Indiana Langford (Michigan Photography)

3/5/2025 9:29:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan fell 2-1 to East Carolina on a two-run sixth-inning homer to snap its win streak at six games.
» Lauren Putz doubled and scored U-M's run in the top of the sixth on an Ellie Sieler RBI single to left-center; Indiana Langford went 1-2 with a hit and two walks.
» Lauren Derkowski took the loss despite a strong game in the circle, striking out five while allowing two runs on just three hits and no walks.

GREENVILLE, N.C. -- The University of Michigan softball team saw its six-game winning streak snapped when East Carolina used a two-run homer in the sixth to earn a 2-1 decision on Wednesday night (March 5) at Max R. Joyner Softball Stadium.

The Wolverines (14-7) had just broken through with the game's first run in the top half of the inning. Freshman designated player Lauren Putz drove a low liner up the middle and legged it out for a double and scored two batters later with senior left fielder Ellie Sieler looped an RBI single over the shortstop into shallow left center.

ECU (12-7) scored its runs two outs in the home half. Michigan could not field a grounder to short cleanly, and the Pirates took advantage, belting out the next pitch deep over the left-center field wall.

Junior second baseman Indiana Langford reached with a one-out walk in the seventh, but Michigan could not advance her, going down on back-to-back popups to end the game. Langford reached in three of her four plate appearances with a hit and two walks.

Michigan was not without earlier scoring opportunities, stranding eight total in the game, including runners in scoring position in the first, second, fourth and fifth innings.

Senior right-handed pitcher Lauren Derkowski (5-4) took the loss despite a solid outing, posting five strikeouts while allowing the two runs on just three hits and no walks.

Michigan travels to Greensboro, N.C., for two games apiece against North Carolina Central and host UNC Greensboro this Friday and Saturday (March 7-8). U-M will face NCCU at 11 a.m. Friday (March 7) and 10 a.m. on Saturday (March 8) and UNCG at 4 p.m. Friday and 12:30 p.m. Sunday at UNCG Softball Stadium.