Michigan softball captures 11th Big Ten tournament championship
You have to be happy for Michigan softball head coach Bonnie Tholl. She had the difficult task of replacing legend Carol Hutchins and on Saturday, she won her first Big Ten tournament title as the Wolverines rallied to knock off Indiana 3-1.
THE WOLVERINES ARE YOUR @bigten TOURNAMENT CHAMPS. 🏆#B1GSoftball x @umichsoftball pic.twitter.com/FkmEpvT44q
— Big Ten Softball (@B1Gsoftball) May 11, 2024
It was the 11th Big Ten tournament championship for Michigan softball and the first for the Wolverines since the 2019 season.
Coming into the day, Michigan had won 13 of 15 games. The Wolverines rallied to beat Wisconsin on Friday night to advance to the Big Ten championship and plated two runs in the sixth inning on a throwing error by the Hoosiers to grab a 3-1 lead.
BACK ON TOP. 🏆#B1GSoftball | #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/SI29Hz9cTg
— Michigan Softball (@umichsoftball) May 11, 2024
It would prove to be the final score thanks to the stellar work of pitcher Lauren Derkowski. She threw every pitch for Michigan softball during its three-game run to the Big Ten tournament championship. She allowed a total of five runs but just one on Saturday in a complete-game victory.
Michigan softball was already in a strong position to make the NCAA tournament as an at-large but maybe the Wolverines could have a shot at hosting the regional. We'll find out on Sunday in the NCAA softball tournament selection show.
The Hoosiers who were the No. 8 seed grabbed the 1-0 lead but Indiana Langford got a bunt single, then stole second and scored on an RBI single by Ella Stephenson. Michigan kept Indiana at one run for the rest of the game thanks to stellar pitching and defense.
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Now, all that's left is the celebration.