Michigan softball homers its way into Big Ten title game

The Michigan softball team knocked out top-seeded Northwestern from the Big Ten tournament with a clutch two-run homer by Taylor Bump.

Michigan softball already had a postseason berth locked up going into the week as the 23rd-ranked Wolverines headed into the Big Ten Tournament.

But after a 2-1 win over Northwestern, one that came thanks to a dramatic seventh-inning home run from Taylor Bump, Michigan will play Nebraska on Saturday for the Big Ten championship. The Huskers also advanced with a 2-1 win over Ohio State.

Bump came up with a home run on Thursday in the win over Maryland in the quarterfinals and on Friday, she came to the plate with a runner on base and two outs. The Wolverines trailed 1-0 after Northwestern plated a run in the fifth inning.

However, Bump delivered a two-out, two-run home run to give Michigan softball a 2-1 lead it was able to hold in the seventh inning to advance to the Big Ten championship game.

Annabelle Wildra put the game on ice in the seventh and in three innings in the circle, she didn’t allow a run or a hit. Michigan softball allowed three hits total. They were all off of starter Meghan Beaubien who got through four innings with just one run allowed.

Bump’s home run was one of just three hits in the game for Michigan softball. Hannah Carson and Audrey LeClair both notched singles in the win.

Michigan won the last Big Ten softball tournament which was held in 2019 but on Saturday, thanks to Bump’s clutch moment at the plate, the Wolverines will aim for another championship.

The first pitch on Saturday will go out at 11 a.m. EST on Big Ten Network.