News Summary
The University of Michigan softball team, with a record of 38-19, is set to face UCF in their NCAA Tournament opener. This marks their 31st tournament appearance, showcasing their strong competitive history. With a recent Big Ten Tournament title, the Wolverines aim to build on their momentum, having previously defeated UCF earlier this season. Strong performances, particularly from standout pitcher Lauren Derkowski, highlight the team’s capabilities as they advance into their regional games with aspirations for the Women’s College World Series.
Austin, Texas
The University of Michigan softball team, boasting a record of 38-19, is gearing up for their NCAA Tournament opener against UCF (33-22-1) at 1 p.m. CT on Friday, May 16. This highly anticipated matchup will be broadcast live on ESPN2, marking another significant milestone in Michigan’s softball journey.
This year’s tournament marks Michigan’s 31st NCAA Tournament appearance in program history, reaffirming the team’s strong competitive presence in collegiate softball. The Wolverines have made back-to-back appearances in the tournament, a feat not seen since their participation streak from 1992-93 and 1995-2019, with further entries in 2021-22 and now 2024-25.
Michigan enters this contest with an impressive all-time NCAA Regional record of 90-25, having claimed 18 regional titles throughout their storied history. However, UCF presents a notable challenge; in the past three years, UCF has won four out of six encounters against Michigan, including a decisive victory in the 2022 NCAA Regional.
Despite UCF’s recent successes, Michigan defeated the Knights 2-0 in their last matchup during the 2023 Judi Garman Classic, showcasing their ability to contend with strong opponents. The Wolverines are also riding a wave of momentum, having recently clinched their second consecutive Big Ten Tournament title after finishing with a perfect 4-0 record.
During the Big Ten Tournament, Michigan demonstrated their strength by shutting out two top-10 teams, including a 5-0 victory over No. 4 Oregon and a 2-0 win against No. 9 UCLA. Senior right-handed pitcher Lauren Derkowski was recognized as the tournament’s most outstanding player for the second year in a row, achieving a 3-0 record with a 1.11 earned-run average and 12 strikeouts across the tournament.
The Wolverines faced challenges in the regular season, tying for eighth in the Big Ten standings with an 11-11 record. However, they managed to secure noteworthy victories against teams such as Maryland, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Rutgers, and Minnesota. On a record-setting note, Michigan hit a school-high of 64 home runs this season, surpassing their previous record of 63 set in 2024.
Offensive contributions have been significant for Michigan, led by Jenissa Conway, who not only scored a career-high of 17 home runs but also earned a unanimous selection to the All-Big Ten first team, boasting an impressive .432 batting average in conference play. Additionally, freshman Lauren Putz has made her mark by being named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, ranking among the top 15 nationally in several freshman performance categories.
Defensively, Michigan ranks second in the Big Ten and ninth in the nation with 15 shutout wins this season, highlighting their prowess on the mound. Following their contest against UCF, the Wolverines will advance to face either host Texas or Eastern Illinois in subsequent games of the regional format.
The victor of the Austin Regional will secure their place in the super regionals, where they will face off against the winner of the Clemson regional. Success in these upcoming rounds could propel Michigan toward the coveted Women’s College World Series, scheduled for May 29 to June 6 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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Additional Resources
- MGoBlue: Michigan Selected for Austin Regional
- News Journal: UCF Knights NCAA Softball Tournament
- Detroit Free Press: Michigan Softball in 2025 NCAA Tournament
- Wikipedia: Softball
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Softball
