Michigan softball season ended by Oklahoma State in NCAA tournament

Advancing to the Super Regional on Sunday was always going to be a tall order for the Michigan softball team. The Wolverines needed to beat Oklahoma State, the host team and fifth overall seed twice in order to advance in back-to-back games on Sunday.

The Wolverines put themselves in the round of 32 (regional final) after two dramatic wins on Saturday. Michigan softball used a walk-off home run from Maddie Erickson to eliminate Northern Colorado,

Michigan softball then used a stellar defensive effort to knock off Kentucky. The Wolverines used two different starting pitchers and won the game without a single strikeout, which is a pretty rare thing.

Ace Lauren Derkowski was back on the mound on Sunday against Oklahoma State. She allowed a run in the first inning to the Cowgirls, but the score was tied quickly on an RBI single by Keke Tholl in the bottom of the first inning.

However, Oklahoma State showed why its one of the best teams in college softball. The Cowgirls have used the long ball to their advantage all weekend and they hit a solo home run in the top of the second, as well as a two-run shot in the top of the fifth to build a 4-1 lead.

Michigan's offense struggled and wasn't able to threaten in the final few innings as Oklahoma State wrapped up the 4-1 win to advance to the Super Regional, which the Cowgirls will host.

Michigan will end its season at 43-18 overall. The Wolverines did make the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2022, as well as winning the Big Ten title for the first time in five years.