The Michigan Wolverines aren't giving up their Big Ten softball tournament title without a fight. The defending champs opened the tournament as the No. 8 seed, but after beating Wisconsin in the first round, Michigan ousted top-seeded Oregon on Thursday by the score of 5-0.
Lauren Derkowski and Erin Hoehn were stellar in the circle for the Wolverines, as they didn't allow any runs on five hits. Hoehn got the win for Michigan.
Maddie Erickson notched two hits to lead the way for Michigan softball. She also drove in the first run, which proved to be the winning run.
The Wolverines are now 36-19 on the season. Michigan's RPI entering the weekend is 43, so the Wolverines improved their chances to getting an at-large berth into the NCAA tournament. U-M will play 12th-seeded Purdue in the semifinals on Friday night at 7:30 EST on Big Ten Network.
Where Michigan football ranked in ESPN post-spring top 25
Post-spring rankings are all the rage right now. On Thursday, ESPN released its post-spring ranking, as Michigan football checked in at No. 21.
This is a little lower than some other spring rankings, most notably Joel Klatt, who has the Wolverines in his top 20. Klatt sounds like a believer in Michigan football.
Others have their doubts. The Michigan Wolverines will have an elite defense. Bryce Underwood and the offense is the question mark.
Penn State came in at No. 1 in the ESPN rankings. Ohio State ranked fifth and Oregon ninth.
Michigan football, Penn State battling for 2026 commitment
Three-star defensive lineman Alexander Haskell, out of Philadelphia, is set to make his commitment announcement on Friday between Michigan football and Penn State.
The 6-foot-4, 265-pound defensive lineman was viewed as a Michigan lean at one point, however, Penn State is now the crystal ball favorite.
Sam Webb of The Michigan Insider projects that the Nittany Lions will win the commitment of the No. 757 overall prospect, but it's recruiting, so you can never say never.