# 2023 Michigan Wolverines softball team

The 2023 Michigan Wolverines softball team was an American college softball team that represents the University of Michigan during the 2023 NCAA Division I softball season. The Wolverines, wee led by head coach Bonnie Tholl in her first season, and played their home games at Alumni Field in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

## Previous season

The Wolverines finished the 2022 season 38–18 overall, and 14–8 in the Big Ten, finishing in fifth place in their conference. Following the conclusion of the regular season, the Wolverines received an at-large bid to the 2022 NCAA Division I Softball Tournament and were defeated in the Regional Final by UCF.

## Preseason

On June 13, 2022, graduate student Alex Storako transferred to Oklahoma. The next day, sophomore pitcher Annabelle Widra transferred to Auburn. On July 5, 2022, Michigan added three transfer students, outfielder Ellie Mataya and pitchers Hannah George and Jessica LeBeau.
On August 24, 2022, long-time head coach Carol Hutchins announced her retirement after 38 years as head coach at Michigan. At the time of her retirement, she was the winningest coach in NCAA Division I history with a record of 1,707–555–5. During her career as head coach, Michigan never suffered a losing season, and she led the team to 22 Big Ten regular-season titles from 1995–2021, including nine in a row from 2008–16, 10 Big Ten Tournament championships, and qualified for the NCAA Tournament 29 times, including each of the last 27 years. Later that day former Michigan associate head coach Bonnie Tholl was promoted to head coach.

## Schedule and results

2023 Michigan Wolverines Softball Game Log :
Regular season (26–24) :
February (7–8) :
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Stadium Site | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Overall record | B1G record |
| February 9 | at USF | | USF Softball Stadium Tampa, FL | 1–2 $^{(8)}$ | Dixon (1–0) | Derkowski (0–1) | Hill (1) | 1,506 | 0–1 | — |
| February 10 | vs. Colgate The Spring Games | | Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex Leesburg, FL | 10–0 $^{(5)}$ | LeBeau (1–0) | Misken (0–1) | — | — | 1–1 | — |
| February 11 | vs. Western Kentucky The Spring Games | | Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex Leesburg, FL | 5–2 | Derkowski (1–1) | Houchens (0–1) | — | 350 | 2–1 | — |
| February 11 | vs. Western Kentucky The Spring Games | | Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex Leesburg, FL | 5–2 $^{(9)}$ | Derkowski (2–1) | Gardner (1–2) | — | 300 | 3–1 | — |
| February 12 | vs. Portland State The Spring Games | | Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex Leesburg, FL | 9–1 $^{(6)}$ | LeBeau (2–0) | Grey (2–1) | — | — | 4–1 | — |
| February 17 | vs. No. 20 UCF St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational | No. 25 | Eddie C. Moore Complex Clearwater, FL | 2–8 | DeVoe (2–1) | Derkowski (2–2) | — | 657 | 4–2 | — |
| February 17 | vs. Louisiana St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational | No. 25 | Eddie C. Moore Complex Clearwater, FL | 7–6 | LeBeau (3–0) | Landry (2–1) | — | 657 | 5–2 | — |
| February 18 | vs. No. 5 Oklahoma State St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational | No. 25 | Eddie C. Moore Complex Clearwater, FL | 6–15 $^{(6)}$ | Runner (1–0) | LeBeau (3–1) | — | 5,632 | 5–3 | — |
| February 18 | vs. Mississippi State St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational | No. 25 | Eddie C. Moore Complex Clearwater, FL | 5–4 | Derkowski (3–2) | Hawk (1–2) | — | 5,632 | 6–3 | — |
| February 19 | vs. No. 16 Duke St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational | No. 25 | Eddie C. Moore Complex Clearwater, FL | 3–6 | Davidson (2–1) | LeBeau (3–2) | Wright (1) | — | 6–4 | — |
| February 24 | vs. Boise State Stanford Invitational | | Smith Family Stadium Stanford, CA | 2–4 | Walljasper (4–1) | Derkowski (3–3) | — | 57 | 6–5 | — |
| February 24 | vs. Nevada Stanford Invitational | | Smith Family Stadium Stanford, CA | 0–3 | Craft (3–0) | LeBeau (3–3) | — | 74 | 6–6 | — |
| February 25 | vs. Boise State Stanford Invitational | | Smith Family Stadium Stanford, CA | 2–1 | LeBeau (4–3) | Caudill (1–3) | — | 116 | 7–6 | — |
| February 25 | at No. 16 Stanford Stanford Invitational | | Smith Family Stadium Stanford, CA | 0–5 | Vawter (5–1) | Derkowski (3–4) | — | 315 | 7–7 | — |
| February 26 | at No. 16 Stanford Stanford Invitational | | Smith Family Stadium Stanford, CA | 1–3 | Krause (3–1) | LeBeau (4–4) | — | 115 | 7–8 | — |
| February 28 | at Saint Mary's | | Cottrell Field Moraga, CA | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled |
March (9–5) :
| Date | Opponent | Stadium Site | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Overall record | B1G record |
| March 2 | vs. UCF Judi Garman Classic | Anderson Family Field Fullerton, CA | 2–0 | LeBeau (5–4) | Felton (3–3) | — | 494 | 8–8 | — |
| March 2 | at Cal State Fullerton Judi Garman Classic | Anderson Family Field Fullerton, CA | 2–1 $^{(8)}$ | Derkowski (4–4) | Sutherlin (4–2) | — | 494 | 9–8 | — |
| March 3 | vs. No. 15 LSU Judi Garman Classic | Anderson Family Field Fullerton, CA | 0–2 | Kilponen (5–0) | LeBeau (5–5) | — | 357 | 9–9 | — |
| March 3 | vs. Seattle Judi Garman Classic | Anderson Family Field Fullerton, CA | 3–2 | Derkowski (5–4) | Ilacqua (7–2) | — | 325 | 10–9 | — |
| March 4 | vs. No. 2 UCLA Judi Garman Classic | Anderson Family Field Fullerton, CA | 0–8 $^{(5)}$ | Faraimo (11–1) | LeBeau (5–6) | — | — | 10–10 | — |
| March 9 | Kent State | Alumni Field Ann Arbor, MI | 4–0 | Derkowski (6–4) | Kelly (2–4) | — | 202 | 11–10 | — |
| March 10 | Georgia Southern | Alumni Field Ann Arbor, MI | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled |
| March 11 | Georgia Southern | Alumni Field Ann Arbor, MI | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled |
| March 11 | Kent State | Alumni Field Ann Arbor, MI | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled |
| March 12 | Kent State | Alumni Field Ann Arbor, MI | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled |
| March 15 | Bowling Green | Alumni Field Ann Arbor, MI | 9–0 $^{(5)}$ | Derkowski (7–4) | Anderson (5–2) | — | 773 | 12–10 | — |
| March 18 | vs. Longwood John Cropp Classic | John Cropp Stadium Lexington, KY | 2–1 | Derkowski (8–4) | Burton (4–6) | — | — | 13–10 | — |
| March 18 | at No. 14 Kentucky John Cropp Classic | John Cropp Stadium Lexington, KY | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled |
| March 19 | vs. DePaul John Cropp Classic | John Cropp Stadium Lexington, KY | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled |
| March 19 | at No. 14 Kentucky John Cropp Classic | John Cropp Stadium Lexington, KY | 1–2 | Schoonover(11–1) | Derkowski (8–5) | — | 1,077 | 13–11 | — |
| March 24 | at Ohio State | Buckeye Field Columbus, OH | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed |
| March 25 | at Ohio State | Buckeye Field Columbus, OH | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed |
| March 26 | at Ohio State | Buckeye Field Columbus, OH | 3–1 $^{(10)}$ | Derkowski (9–5) | Smith (9–4) | — | 1,773 | 14–11 | 1–0 |
| March 26 | at Ohio State | Buckeye Field Columbus, OH | 2–11 $^{(5)}$ | Ruck (5–4) | LeBeau (5–7) | — | 1,325 | 14–12 | 1–1 |
| March 27 | at Ohio State | Buckeye Field Columbus, OH | 7–8 | Smith (10–4) | Derkowski (9–6) | Ruck (1) | 405 | 14–13 | 1–2 |
| March 29 | Oakland | Alumni Field Ann Arbor, MI | 9–0 $^{(5)}$ | LeBeau (6–7) | Campbell (5–4) | — | 1,109 | 15–13 | — |
| March 31 | at Nebraska | Bowlin Stadium Lincoln, NE | 10–1 $^{(5)}$ | Derkowski (10–6) | Wallace (15–7) | — | 691 | 16–13 | 2–2 |
April (8–8) :
| Date | Opponent | Stadium Site | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Overall record | B1G record |
| April 1 | at Nebraska | Bowlin Stadium Lincoln, NE | 0–8 $^{(5)}$ | Wallace (16–7) | LeBeau (6–8) | — | 941 | 16–14 | 2–3 |
| April 2 | at Nebraska | Bowlin Stadium Lincoln, NE | 4–2 | Derkowski (11–6) | Harness (8–4) | — | 1,137 | 17–14 | 3–3 |
| April 5 | at Michigan State | Secchia Stadium East Lansing, MI | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed |
| April 7 | Illinois | Alumni Field Ann Arbor, MI | 0–3 | Sickels (11–6) | Derkowski (11–7) | — | 1,339 | 17–15 | 3–4 |
| April 8 | Illinois | Alumni Field Ann Arbor, MI | 3–2 | LeBeau (7–8) | McQueen (4–3) | Derkowski (2) | 1,941 | 18–15 | 4–4 |
| April 9 | Illinois | Alumni Field Ann Arbor, MI | 2–1 $^{(8)}$ | Derkowski (12–7) | Sickels (11–7) | — | 1,463 | 19–15 | 5–4 |
| April 12 | at Michigan State | Secchia Stadium East Lansing, MI | 5–2 | Derkowski (13–7) | Guidry (2–7) | — | 1,264 | 20–15 | 6–4 |
| April 14 | at Purdue | Bittinger Stadium West Lafayette, IN | 4–0 | Derkowski (14–7) | Echazarreta (5–10) | — | 509 | 21–15 | 7–4 |
| April 15 | at Purdue | Bittinger Stadium West Lafayette, IN | 2–3 | Elish (8–2) | LeBeau (7–9) | — | 686 | 21–16 | 7–5 |
| April 15 | at Purdue | Bittinger Stadium West Lafayette, IN | 5–0 | Derkowski (15–7) | Echazarreta (5–11) | — | 99 | 22–16 | 8–5 |
| April 18 | Michigan State | Alumni Field Ann Arbor, MI | 8–0 $^{(5)}$ | Derkowski (16–7) | Guidry (3–9) | — | 2,104 | 23–16 | 9–5 |
| April 21 | No. 21 Northwestern | Alumni Field Ann Arbor, MI | 3–4 $^{(11)}$ | Boyd (7–3) | LeBeau (7–10) | — | 1,384 | 23–17 | 9–6 |
| April 22 | No. 21 Northwestern | Alumni Field Ann Arbor, MI | 15–0 $^{(5)}$ | Derkowski (17–7) | Henry (10–2) | — | 1,852 | 24–17 | 10–6 |
| April 23 | No. 21 Northwestern | Alumni Field Ann Arbor, MI | 0–3 | Williams (12–1) | Derkowski (17–8) | — | 2,130 | 24–18 | 10–7 |
| April 28 | Indiana | Alumni Field Ann Arbor, MI | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed |
| April 29 | Indiana | Alumni Field Ann Arbor, MI | 1–4 | Copeland (17–2) | Derkowski (17–9) | — | 1,881 | 24–19 | 10–8 |
| April 29 | Indiana | Alumni Field Ann Arbor, MI | 1–15 $^{(6)}$ | Johnson (13–6) | LeBeau (7–11) | — | 1,881 | 24–20 | 10–9 |
| April 30 | Indiana | Alumni Field Ann Arbor, MI | 5–6 | Copeland (18–2) | Derkowski (17–10) | Johnson (4) | 1,948 | 24–21 | 10–10 |
May (2–3) :
| Date | Opponent | Stadium Site | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Overall record | B1G record |
| May 2 | Western Michigan | Alumni Field Ann Arbor, MI | 9–1 $^{(5)}$ | Derkowski (18–10) | Godwin (4–10) | — | 1,037 | 25–21 | — |
| May 3 | Oakland | Alumni Field Ann Arbor, MI | 13–0 $^{(5)}$ | LeBeau (8–11) | Konyvka (0–7) | — | 318 | 26–21 | — |
| May 5 | at Minnesota | Jane Sage Cowles Stadium Minneapolis, MN | 0–3 | Pease (24–6) | Derkowski (18–11) | — | 830 | 26–22 | 10–11 |
| May 6 | at Minnesota | Jane Sage Cowles Stadium Minneapolis, MN | 10–13 | Schwartz (2–1) | Derkowski (18–12) | — | 863 | 26–23 | 10–12 |
| May 7 | at Minnesota | Jane Sage Cowles Stadium Minneapolis, MN | 0–2 | Pease (25–6) | Derkowski (18–13) | — | 961 | 26–24 | 10–13 |
Post-season (0–1) :
Big Ten Tournament (0–1) :
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Overall record | B1GT record |
| May 10 | Penn State | | Eichelberger Field Champaign, IL | 2–3 | Lingenfelt (12–5) | Derkowski (18–14) | — | — | 26–25 | 0–1 |
Win  Loss  PostponementBold: Wolverines team memberReference: Rankings from NFCA.(#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. :

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Final |
| NFCA / USA Today | RV | 25 | RV | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Softball America | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ESPN.com/USA Softball | RV | RV | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| D1Softball | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |