University of Minnesota Athletics
GOPHERS, INDIANA SPLIT SOFTBALL DOUBLEHEADER
4/28/2000 12:00:00 AM | Softball
In the opener, Minnesota erased a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on a two-out, run-scoring single by Shelly Nichols. The Gophers won the game in the bottom of the ninth inning on three consecutive hits by Michelle Bennett, Morgan Holden and Nichols. Nichols doubled to left-center to score pinch-runner Allie Fisk from second base. Angie Recknor went the distance in the circle and improved to 24-23 for the season. She struck out six batters to increase her Minnesota single-season record to 204 strikeouts. Tammi Hays had three hits for the Gophers.
The Gophers started the second game strong, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. Hays scored on an Indiana throwing error after a Veronica Roberts single, and Jordanne Nygren blasted a two-run home run. It was Nygren's 14th home run of the season, giving her the Big Ten lead and tying the Minnesota single-season record for home runs. The lead held until the fifth inning, when Indiana scored five runs, capped by a grand slam by Staci Meek. The Hoosiers added two runs in the sixth inning to increase the lead to 7-3. Nygren singled home Hays in the final inning, but the Gophers left the bases loaded.
Minnesota will host Purdue in a single game Saturday at 1 p.m. The Gophers will dedicate Jane Sage Cowles Stadium in a ceremony at 12:15 p.m. A kids' fair will be held outside the stadium beginning at 11 a.m., with gates opening at 11:30 a.m.
Minnesota 2, Indiana 1 (9 innings) Indiana 010 000 000-1 8 1 Minnesota 000 100 000-2 9 1 Martinez and Monroe. Recknor and Smith. WP-Recknor (24-23). LP-Martinez (6-15). HR-none. Indiana 7, Minnesota 4 Minnesota 300 000 1-4 10 3 Indiana 000 052 x-7 7 1 Hautala and Smith. Cooke, Smith (2) and Monroe. WP-Smith (2-4). LP-Hautala (6-2). HR-(MN) Nygren (14), (IU) Meek (1). BIG TEN STANDINGS Iowa 11-3 37-11 Michigan 11-4 36-11-1 Northwestern 10-4 22-19 Penn State 9-4 31-14 Wisconsin 5-6 28-22 Michigan State 5-8 29-21 Purdue 4-8 32-22 Ohio State 4-9 24-22 Indiana 4-10 14-29 Minnesota 3-10 30-25 Friday's Results Minnesota 2-4, Indiana 1-7 (1st-9 inn.) Wisconsin 1-5, Purdue 0-4 (1st-9 inn.) Iowa 3-1, Penn State 2-2 Northwestern 14-6, Ohio State 5-0 (1st-6 inn.) Saturday's Games Purdue at Minnesota, 1 Penn State at Northwestern Indiana at Wisconsin Ohio State at Iowa
