Wolverines Hold Off Late Rally to Claim Series Opener Against Rutgers

Saturday, April 12

Ann Arbor, Mich.

5:00 PM

Michigan

29-12, 7-4

Rutgers

17-25, 1-10

Rutgers

Michigan

Lauren Derkowski (Michigan Photography)

Wolverines Hold Off Late Rally to Claim Series Opener Against Rutgers

4/12/2025 8:21:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan scored runs in the second and sixth innings en route to a 3-1 decision against Rutgers in the series opener.
» Ellie Sieler posted two hits, including a second-inning homer; Lilly Vallimont and Madi Ramey earned RBI in the sixth.
» Lauren Derkowski (11-9) struck out seven and allowed one run on just three hits and two walks over 6.2 innings; Erin Hoehn dealt a four-pitch strikeout to leave the bases loaded in the seventh and earn the save.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan softball team scored early and late and shut down a seventh-inning rally to defeat Rutgers 3-1 in the series opener on Saturday evening (April 12) at the Wilpon Complex, home of Carol Hutchins Stadium and Alumni Field.

Senior left fielder Ellie Sieler went 2-for-3 to lead the Wolverine offense and parked one into the right-field grandstand -- her second home run of the season -- with one out in the second inning to give U-M the early lead.

Senior right-handed pitcher Lauren Derkowski and Rutgers' Ella Harrison dueled over the three subsequent scoreless innings. Michigan (29-12, 7-4 Big Ten) stranded two in the third and one in the fourth, while Derkowski retired 13 straight from the first inning through the fifth -- aided by some stout Wolverine defense, notably a leaping catch from senior shortstop Ella McVey for the third out of the fifth.

After Derkowski got herself out of a two-runner jam with one out in the top of the sixth, she earned a little insurance when U-M plated two runs on four hits in the home half of the inning. Freshman designated player Lauren Putz led off the inning with a double off the wall in left-center field, advanced on sophomore right fielder Ella Stephenson's single to right and scored when junior/sophomore Lilly Vallimont looped a single into shallow left field. Stephenson came home herself when junior first baseman Madi Ramey ripped a two-out single through the right side -- just past the reach of the Scarlet Knights' first baseman.

Rutgers (17-25, 1-10 Big Ten) spoiled the shutout bid in the top of the seventh and threatened to do more with the bases loaded and two outs. A hit-by-pitch put RU on the board and with the bases still loaded, sophomore RHP Erin Hoehn entered and fanned the final Scarlet Knights batter on just four pitches to earn her first save of the season.

Derkowski (11-9) secured the win with a solid 6.2 innings, allowing one run on only three hits and two walks. She struck out seven and ended four innings with a swinging strikeout. She upped her career total to 605 strikeouts to pass Sara Griffin (1995-98) into ninth place among U-M's all-time leaders in the category.

Michigan will resume its weekend series against Rutgers at 2 p.m. on Sunday (April 13) at Hutchins Stadium. Tickets are still available for all three games through the U-M Ticket Office.