Michigan escapes Indiana 3-1 to win Big Ten Softball Championship

Michigan entered the sixth inning of Saturday’s Big Ten Softball Tournament Championship against Indiana having never led. However, a costly error from the Hoosiers would give the Wolverines their opening.

With the game tied at 1, Indiana pitcher Sophie Klieman committed the error to allow two runs to cross home plate. Michigan took its first lead of the game and would never relinquish it, going on to close out the 3-1 victory with some solid defense in the top of the seventh.

The victory marks the 11th Big Ten Tournament championship for Michigan softball and the first for head coach Bonnie Tholl. Somehow, Michigan managed the win despite totaling only two hits as a team.

Indiana Langford scored two of the Wolverines three runs on the day, while Ella Stephenson went 1-for-3 at the plate and also had the only RBI for the team. Lauren Derkowski got the start at pitcher and the victory as she pitched the full seven inning to record six strikeouts.

Derkowski was named the Big Ten Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player for her performance over the past three days. She pitched all 19 innings across the tournament for the Wolverines to finish with 20 strikeouts and allow only 13 hits.

“Just focusing more on the mental side of it,” Derkowski said of her approach to the championship game. “Me and (Jennifer Brundage), we had a talk before the game. She kind of talked me through being in this moment and having this opportunity and seeing it as an opportunity other than anything else. So just going out there and taking some deep breaths, singing along, anything I can do to stay in the moment.”

Derkowski not only came up with a strikeout to begin the final inning, but also made the game-ending play. She scooped up a ground ball, nearly losing it before regaining her composure, and throwing out a runner at first base to seal the win.

Indiana took an early 1-0 lead after the second inning, but that would be the only run that Derkowski allowed all afternoon. The Hoosiers managed seven hits but left six on base as Aaliyah Andrews led the team by going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate.

With the Big Ten Championship now secured, Michigan will await to find out who its opponents will be the regional action of the NCAA Softball Tournament. The field is set to be announced at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday on ESPN2.

“Just so exciting,” Derkowitz said. “Our team has worked so hard all season to prepare for this. Just going out there and laying it all out. Indiana’s a great team so it was definitely a challenge, but always a great feeling to come out on top.”