University of Minnesota Athletics
#23 GOPHERS SWEEP MANKATO IN SOFTBALL TWINBILL
3/31/1999 12:00:00 AM | Softball
In the opener, the Gophers put the game away early with a 12-run first inning. 16 Gophers came to the plate in the first inning, accumulating 10 hits. First-year catcher Meghan Smith and first-year infielder Jordanne Nygren each hit three-run home runs in the frame. Minnesota also scored three runs in the second inning, including a solo home run by Chrstine Lindberg. Gopher senior Steph Midthun singled to lead off the game, her 200th hit of her career. Steph Klaviter pitched a complete-game four-hitter, striking out nine batters.
In the second game, Heather Brown and Michelle Harrison combined on a five-hit shutout. Brown struck out 11 batters in four innings, giving her 26 strikeouts in her last two appearances. Harrison pitched the final three innings for her second save of the season. Senior shortstop Shannon Beeler drove in all three runs for Minnesota with a single, double and groundout. Tammi Hays had three hits and two runs scored for Minnesota.
The Gophers open play in the Big Ten Conference this weekend by travelling to Purdue. The teams will play a doubleheader Saturday at 12 noon and a single game Sunday at 1 p.m.
Minnesota 15, MSU, Mankato 0 (5 inn.) MSU, Mankato 000 00 - 0 4 4 Minnesota (12)30 0-15 14 2 Nelson and Rolph. Klaviter and Smith. WP-Klaviter (8-5). LP-Nelson (2-5). HR-(MIN) Smith (1, 1st inn., 2 on), Nygren (10, 1st inn., 2 on), Lindberg (2, 2nd inn., solo). Minnesota 3, MSU, Mankato 0 MSU, Mankato 000 000 0-0 5 2 Minnesota 101 010 x-3 9 3 Benkstein and Ragland, Rolph (6). Brown, Harrison (5) and Brophy. WP-Brown (6-0). LP-Benkstein (2-6). SV-Harrison (2). HR-none.
