Late-Inning Collapse, Offensive Stagnation End Wolverines’ Season at WHAC Tournament
A strong start slipped away in game one, and timely hitting proved elusive in game two as the University of Michigan-Dearborn softball team saw its season conclude with a pair of losses Friday in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Tournament, Indiana Tech Pod.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (April 24, 2026) — The University of Michigan-Dearborn softball team closed its 2026 campaign with back-to-back losses in WHAC Tournament play, falling 11-3 to Lawrence Tech before dropping a 4-1 decision to Lourdes later in the day.
In the opener, UM-Dearborn appeared in control through five innings, building a 3-0 advantage behind consistent contact at the plate. Kaleigh McClelland led the offensive effort with a perfect 3-for-3 performance and an RBI, while Lindsay Marlewitz added two hits and drove in a run. Savanna Kane also contributed an RBI single as the Wolverines tallied 10 hits in the contest.
Maize & Blue starter Maegen Boehm was effective early, holding Lawrence Tech scoreless through three innings and allowing just one unearned run in the fourth. However, momentum shifted dramatically in the sixth inning. The Blue Devils capitalized on defensive miscues and timely extra-base hits, erupting for 10 runs on eight hits to turn a 3-1 deficit into an 11-3 lead. Delaney Monroe's two-run home run punctuated the inning as Lawrence Tech secured the run-rule victory.
Despite the loss, UM-Dearborn's offense showed life, out-hitting its opponent through five innings before the late-game collapse overshadowed the early production.
In the elimination game against Lourdes, the Wolverines struggled to generate sustained offense, managing just five hits in the 4-1 defeat. Lourdes struck first with a sacrifice fly in the second inning before extending its lead to 3-0 in the third, highlighted by a solo home run from Maddie Darrah.
UM-Dearborn responded in the bottom of the third when Braylin Grueter delivered an RBI triple to score Hannah Cornell, cutting the deficit to 3-1. However, that would be the lone breakthrough against Lourdes pitcher Cassi Kieper, who limited the Wolverines to one run across seven innings.
The Gray Wolves added an insurance run in the fourth, and the Wolverines were unable to mount a comeback despite placing runners on base in multiple innings. Grueter finished with two hits and an RBI, while Kendyl Gearhart and Elizabeth Petrella each recorded extra-base hits.
In the circle, Katelyn Postuma took the loss in game two, allowing three runs over 2.1 innings, while Boehm provided relief and held Lourdes to one run over the final 4.2 frames.
