Wolverines Rally Past Kansas in USF Invitational Finale

Sunday, February 8

Tampa, Fla.

9:30 AM

Michigan

4-1

Kansas

2-2

Kansas

Michigan

Ella Stephenson (Michigan Photography)

Wolverines Rally Past Kansas in USF Invitational Finale

2/8/2026 1:03:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan scored three runs in the sixth inning to rally past Kansas, 4-2, in its final game of the season-opening USF Invitational.
» Erin Hoehn used an RBI single to plate Ella Stephenson for the winning run; Jenissa Conway and Lauren Putz tallied game-tying leadoff homers in the first and sixth innings.
» Gabby Ellis entered with bases loaded and no outs in the fifth and allowed no hits and just one base runner over the final three innings to earn the win in relief.

TAMPA, Fla. -- The University of Michigan softball team rallied from deficits early and late to secure a 4-2 comeback win against Kansas in its USF-Rawlings Invitational finale on Sunday morning (Feb. 8) at USF Softball Stadium.

The Wolverines (4-1) plated three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take their first lead in the contest. Sophomore outfielder Lauren Putz led off the frame with a game-tying solo shot to right center for her third home run of the weekend. Junior outfielder Ella Stephenson singled on the next pitch, advanced twice on wild pitches over the Jayhawk catcher's head and scored when junior designated player Erin Hoehn lined a single through the 3-4 gap to shallow rightfield.

Senior shortstop Avery Fantucci added insurance with a two-out RBI single to center.

Junior RHP Gabby Ellis (2-0) earned the victory in relief, entering with the bases loaded and no outs in the fifth inning. Kansas scored on a fielding error with two outs, but Ellis allowed no hits and just one base runner -- on a seventh-inning walk -- over the final three innings.

Kansas struck first in the contest after putting three of its first four hitters on with a walk and a pair of singles, but junior outfielder Jenissa Conway quickly evened the score with a leadoff solo shot in the home half of the first. It was her second first-inning homer in as many games.

Michigan will next head south for a five-game set at the Houston-HCU Invitational next weekend in Houston, Texas. The Wolverines will open play against Pittsburgh at noon CT and Houston Christian at 5 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 13) at HCU's Husky Field before moving to UH's Cougar Softball Stadium, where they will face Incarnate Word at 2:30 p.m. CT and Houston at 5 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 14) and Lafayette at 9:30 a.m. CT on Sunday (Feb. 15).