University of Minnesota Athletics
MINNESOTA SQUEEZES BY ILLINOIS IN BIG TEN SOFTBALL
4/22/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Veronica Roberts led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a single to right field and advanced to second base on a passed ball. Morgan Holden beat out a bunt single, advancing Roberts to third. Hailee Nanchy was intentionally walked to load the bases, and pinch-hitter Jessica Green grounded into a fielder's choice, as Roberts was thrown out at the plate for the first out of the inning. On a 1-2 count, Lindberg pushed a bunt down the first-base line, allowing Holden to score the game's only run.
Piper Marten pitched a complete-game two-hitter, striking out nine batters, for her 19th win of the season. She also had two hits offensively to lead Minnesota's five-hit attack. For the season, Marten has 219 strikeouts, just eight shy of the Minnesota single-season record.
The Gophers nearly ended the game in the eighth inning. Allie Fisk reached on a two-base throwing error and Angel Braden was intentionally walked. After a fielder's choice, Shelly Nichols hit a line-drive to left field that Illinois' Erin Montgomery made a running catch in the gap and doubled off Minnesota pinch-runner Shannon Brophy off of second base.
Minnesota opens a six-game homestand at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium on Wednesday with at non-conference doubleheader against Drake at 4 p.m.
Minnesota 1, Illinois 0 (9 innings) Illinois 000 000 000-0 2 2 Minnesota 000 000 001-1 5 1 Fortune and Sartini. Marten and Smith. WP-Marten (19-10). LP-Fortune (18-10). HR-none. BIG TEN STANDINGS Michigan 13-1 30-12-1 Iowa 11-3 35-10 Ohio State 10-4 36-13 Illinois 10-6 43-18 Penn State 7-7 27-19 Northwestern 6-8 17-19 Wisconsin 6-8 24-20 Purdue 6-10 29-21-1 MINNESOTA 4-10 29-19-1 Michigan State 4-10 17-34 Indiana 3-13 13-32 Sunday's Games MINNESOTA 1, Illinois 0 (9 inn.) Penn State 9, Michigan State 2 Ohio State 3, Michigan 2 (11 inn.) Purdue 2, Northwestern 1 Iowa 11, Indiana 0 (5 inn.) 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.) 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.)