» Michigan scored three runs over the first three innings en route to a 4-0 shutout against Kent State in its 2023 home opener at Alumni Field.
» RHP Lauren Derkowski struck out four and allowed just two hits and four walks to earn her first complete-game shutout this season.
» Lexie Blair used a first-inning RBI double to plate the winning run and establish a new Michigan career doubles record with 62.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Michigan softball team built its lead gradually over the early innings to kick off the home portion of its 2023 season with a 4-0 win against Kent State on Thursday afternoon (March 9) at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field.
Sophomore RHP Lauren Derkowski (5-4) was also solid from the Wolverine circle, tossing a two-hit shutout — her first of the season — with four strikeouts and walks. KSU also capitalized on three Michigan errors, but Derkowski left nine Golden Flashes stranded, including bases loaded in the fourth and fifth innings.
Graduate student outfielder Lexie Blair drove in the game-winning run — and established a new Michigan school record — with an RBI double to the left center gap in just the second at-bat of the game to plate graduate student outfielder Ellie Mataya from first base. Blair now has 62 career doubles and broke the three-way tie she held with Wolverine greats Catherine Davie (1996-99) and Alessandra Giampaolo (2005-08).
Mataya earned an RBI of her own on second-inning…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at University of Michigan Athletics…