Michigan softball right-handers Lauren Derkowski and Jessica LeBeau were charged with losses in the Wolverines’ matchups with Louisville and Florida Atlantic this weekend, respectively. But that doesn’t tell the whole story of their performances.
Because while Derkowski and LeBeau each tallied a loss, they also each only allowed one earned run.
With strong pitching throughout the Joan Joyce Classic, Michigan (6-3 overall) started the weekend with consecutive shutout wins over Seton Hall (1-3) and Maine (0-8). In their final two games of the weekend, however, the Wolverines were unable to capitalize off of dominant outings from LeBeau and Derkowski, getting shut out by the Cardinals (10-1) and the Owls (8-3) and finishing with a 2-2 split. Michigan also led the Pirates in the top of the fifth inning on Sunday before the game was called off due to weather.
“You build your team around pitching and around defense, and that was really solid for us,” Michigan coach Bonnie Tholl said. “We were playing error-free ball and our pitchers were outstanding. They weren’t perfect, but we can’t expect them to be perfect.”
As their pitching staff fanned opposing hitters, the Wolverines failed to garner any consistent offense, an issue persisting throughout their 4-1 finish last weekend. Besides an 11-run outburst against Maine — who is yet to record a win this season — Michigan recorded no more than six hits and three runs in the other three contests this weekend.
When Michigan’s bats did connect, their pitching dominance led to wins. Against Seton Hall, Derkowski gave up no runs through five innings before LeBeau came in to complete the shutout. After back-to-back singles put runners on first and second base, she retired three straight batters to keep the Pirates off the scoreboard.
Derkowski and LeBeau continued their dominance in their final two games against Louisville and Florida Atlantic. But Michigan’s offense went silent, and the lack of support the Wolverines’ pitching duo received minimized their impact.
LeBeau held Louisville to just two runs on five hits on Saturday, an effort typically good enough to emerge victorious. However, Michigan’s offense failed to capture the momentum created by its shutdown pitching and didn’t muster a single run.
Michigan couldn’t capitalize after putting runners on first and second base in the second and seventh innings. And without a consistent offense, those blown opportunities magnified the Wolverines’ consistent scoring issues early in the season.
“(We need to) trust our process, trust our swing and just be ready,” senior catcher Keke Tholl said.
In Michigan’s matchup against Florida Atlantic later that day, the only thing that changed was the starting pitcher. Derkowski held the Owls scoreless for five innings before surrendering a run in the sixth — all they’d need to beat the Wolverines.
Following singles from Keke and freshman center fielder Jessica Conway — who proceeded to steal second base — Michigan had two runners in scoring position. Once again, the Wolverines’ offense was unable to capitalize. And once again, they were held scoreless, wasting another strong performance from their starting pitcher.
“(Our pitchers are) doing a great job of attacking the hitters and getting ahead right away,” Bonnie said. “… We’re asking them to be leaders, to be free with their approach, and that approach remains to be the attacking approach … We still have to figure some things out offensively. That’s something that has become clearer.”
The continued dominance of Derkowski and LeBeau can keep Michigan competitive against any team in the country this season. But without ample run support, strong pitching won’t translate to victories.
This weekend, the run support wasn’t there.