EAST LANSING — The Michigan softball team’s second matchup against rival Michigan State began with a fielding error that plated leadoff batter senior designated player Indiana Langford. This was only one of the many fumbles off which the Wolverines would capitalize, as noncompetitive pitches and errors would haunt the Spartans’ defense. But Michigan State’s struggles both in the circle and on the field were particularly evident because, in contrast, Michigan’s defense and pitching were near-perfect.
“Props to (junior right-hander Gabby Ellis),” Wolverines coach Bonnie Tholl said. “She’s had some tough outings in this month of April, and for her to just respond today and really pound the zone set a really good tone for us and defense and offense following suit.”
Ellis started in the circle and pitched for the entire six inning run rule, allowing only one run and just two hits. She stood her ground against 20 batters and coaxed two strikeouts, a solid number for a pitcher who tends to be pitch-to-contact. When the Spartans claimed their only run with a solo homer from the bottom of its lineup, Ellis faced her first test — regaining her footing after allowing such a powerful hit.
And it took a moment for her stance to steady. She handed the next batter a four-pitch walk, a play that could’ve resulted in Tholl pulling her from the circle. But Ellis found her balance in a big way, striking out Michigan State’s third batter and reestablishing her rhythm.
In contrast, the Spartans couldn’t find their balance at all in the circle.
Michigan State right-hander Jacey Schuler pitched the first four innings, but a dangerous fifth inning that began with two singles sent her back to the dugout, replaced by right-hander Alex Starr. But after Starr allowed junior left-fielder Ella Stephenson to send a powerful three-run homer over the left-field wall, followed by a double from junior center-fielder Jenissa Conway, her time in the circle was promptly cut short. After only six pitches, the Spartans attempted to stop the bleeding with another pitching change. And this was not even the last circle changeup for Michigan State as a final pitcher entered in the top of the sixth to try her hand at plugging Michigan’s incessant offense.
Alongside the Spartan’s fumbling in the circle, their defense also committed several missteps. Throughout six innings, Michigan State recorded three errors. This allowed the Wolverines to advance and gain extra bases, inching them ever closer to home plate. And the Spartans’ errors were magnified by the strong defense Michigan played behind Ellis.
“For me, personally, I know I produce a lot of ground balls and pop ups,” Ellis said. “So that requires my defense, to have my back and just knowing that they were there today really helped me get through the whole game.”
The Wolverines recorded four one-two-three innings, putting Michigan State away quickly and dashing its hopes of any impact at the plate. Whether it was a fly out to deep outfield, a groundout to senior shortstop Avery Fantucci or senior first baseman Madi Ramey’s diving catch in the bottom of the fifth, Michigan played precise and calculated defense behind Ellis throughout every inning.
“I’m gonna say we’ve probably had more one-two-three innings today than we’ve had in a month,” Tholl said “And a lot of it goes to our pitcher in the circle, but also plays like Avery at shortstop and Ramey making the diving catch there. A lot of balls went to Janelle. Everybody chipped in today. I can’t think of one infielder that didn’t have a play, every outfielder had a play, and so it was all hands on deck, and everybody executed their role.”
While the Wolverines’ offense took the spotlight with its powerful offensive display, Michigan’s discipline in the circle and clean defense behind its pitcher protected its well-earned lead. Against the Spartans’ fumbles, the Wolverines’ defense didn’t need to be perfect — but it came extremely close, stifling Michigan State’s fleeting hope of climbing out of the hole Michigan’s bats had led it into.
