Michigan go-ahead home run upheld despite questionable interference from Wolverines fan

In a tense NCAA Tournament game between Michigan and UCF, a fan might just have helped the outcome for the Wolverines. But officials did not rule things that way.

A controversial two-run home run by designated player Lauren Putz was upheld after a Michigan fan appeared to snag the ball right around the line where the fence would have ended. It was a clean catch, leaving officials to determine whether the ball would have caromed off the wall or cleared it for a home run.

They ruled the latter, opting not to call fan interference. Michigan’s two runs counted, moving it in front of UCF 4-3 in the top of the sixth inning.

You can view the complete play below. There are multiple replay angles.

PUTZ POWER!! 🚀

Wolverines got one back on a Conway RBI double, then the rookie went yard for two runs and our first lead!

(It was reviewed and ruled *not* fan interference.) pic.twitter.com/Wx7eBaC4Kh

— Michigan Softball (@umichsoftball) May 16, 2025

Michigan would hang on to win 4-3, putting up zeros in the sixth and seventh frames to keep UCF from getting back in front. That ended the day with a win for the Wolverines that will send them into the winner’s bracket in the Austin Regional.

The team will play either Texas (the national six seed) or Eastern Illinois next. Those two squads are set to meet on Friday at 4:30 p.m. ET with a broadcast on ESPN+.

You can view the complete 2025 NCAA Softball Tournament bracket here. We are updating the bracket with live results throughout the day.

In the win over UCF, Michigan was powered by Putz, primarily. She finished the day 2-of-3 at the plate with two RBI and the one home run. She also scored herself, courtesy of the blast over the outfield wall.

Meanwhile, right fielder Ella Stephenson was also hot. She finished 2-of-3 at the plate with one RBI and a home run, a solo shot. She also accounted for a run in the win, on a day when every single run mattered mightily.