University of Minnesota Athletics
ILLINOIS EDGES GOPHERS IN SOFTBALL MARATHON, 2-1
4/21/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The game was the fourth-long by innings in Minnesota history and the longest in the two-year history of the Illinois program. The Illini took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a solo home run by Erin Montgomery, but the Gophers tied the game in the sixth inning on a home run by Angel Braden. The homer was the sixth of the season for Braden and the first by a Gopher in 17 games. Illinois used two hits, an intentional walk and a Minnesota throwing error to create a run in the bottom of the 15th to win the game.
Angie Recknor went the distance for Minnesota, striking out seven batters and allowing two runs (one earned) in 14 innings pitched. Veronica Roberts and Shelly Nichols each had two hits for the Gophers.
Minnesota and Illinois will wrap up their two-game series Sunday at 1 p.m. at Eichelberger Field in Urbana, Ill.
Illinois 2, Minnesota 1 (15 innings) Minnesota 000 001 000 000 000-1 8 1 Illinois 001 000 000 000 001-2 12 1 None out when winning run scored. Recknor and Smith. Nevard and Sartini. WP-Nevard (23-8). LP-Recknor. HR-(MN) Braden (6), (IL) Montgomery (4). BIG TEN STANDINGS Michigan 13-0 30-11-1 Iowa 10-3 34-10 Ohio State 9-4 35-13 Illinois 10-5 43-17 Penn State 6-7 26-19 Northwestern 6-7 17-18 Wisconsin 6-8 24-20 Purdue 5-10 28-21-1 Michigan State 4-9 17-33 MINNESOTA 3-10 28-19-1 Indiana 3-12 13-31 Saturday's Results Illinois 2, MINNESOTA 1 (15 inn.) Michigan 2, Ohio State 1 Purdue 2, Northwestern 1 Penn State 1, Michigan State 0 Iowa 11, Indiana 0 (5 inn.) Sunday's Games MINNESOTA at Illinois, 1 Michigan State at Penn State, 11 a.m. Michigan at Ohio State, noon Purdue at Northwestern, 1 Indiana at Iowa, 1 Friday's Games Michigan 10-9, Penn State 1-1 (2nd-6 inn.) Ohio State 4-6, Michigan State 2-1 Illinois 2-2, Wisconsin 1-1 (2nd-9 inn.) Northwestern 4-5, Indiana 2-1 Iowa 7-5, Purdue 1-4 (2nd-9 inn.)