WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — In a remarkable display of skill and determination, the Michigan Wolverines, seeded eighth, emerged victorious in the Big Ten Tournament championship, defeating the second-seeded UCLA Bruins 2-0 on Saturday. The breakthrough came in the sixth inning when Jenissa Conway drove in the first run with a pivotal double.
The path to the title was not an easy one for the Wolverines (38-19), who showcased their prowess with a dominant 5-0 victory over the top-seeded Oregon Ducks in the quarterfinals, followed by a 4-2 triumph against the host and 12th-seeded Purdue Boilermakers in the semifinals. This victory marks Michigan’s second consecutive Big Ten Tournament title and their 12th overall, a testament to their sustained excellence in the sport.
The pivotal moment in the championship game came when Indiana Langford initiated the scoring surge for Michigan, delivering a crucial single against UCLA’s starting pitcher Addisen Fisher, who entered the game with an impressive 16-2 record. Langford advanced to second base due to an error by UCLA’s left fielder, Rylee Slimp. Seizing the opportunity, Conway doubled to center field, allowing Langford to score, followed by Ella Stephenson’s two-out infield single that brought home an insurance run after Conway reached third on a groundout.
Lauren Derkowski, who improved her record to 17-12, was instrumental in Michigan’s success on the mound, conceding just three hits and recording two walks over five innings. Erin Hoehn bolstered the team’s defensive efforts when she came in for Derkowski after a walk was issued to Jordan Woolery to start the sixth. Hoehn displayed remarkable precision, retiring all six batters she encountered.
The route to the final was equally competitive for the UCLA Bruins (49-10), who advanced by overcoming a tough challenge from third-seeded Nebraska, securing a 4-2 victory. This matchup represented UCLA’s third consecutive appearance in a conference tournament final and marked their inaugural season in the Big Ten, as the team previously competed in the Pac-12.
Michigan, having been crowned NCAA softball champions once in 2005 and runners-up in 2015, has consistently performed at high levels with appearances in 12 Women’s College World Series from 30 prior NCAA Tournament participations. As for UCLA, the Bruins boast an impressive legacy with 13 NCAA softball championships, the most recent being in 2019, and seven times finishing as runners-up. They have reached the Women’s College World Series in 33 out of 40 tournament entries, a record that cements their elite status in collegiate softball.