University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Wins IronKids Bread Softball Classic
2/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
In the title tilt, Sward led off with a double in the first inning. With one out, Nygren lifted a ball to center field that the Kangaroos' Amy Barnard misplayed allowing Sward to score. Minnesota added an insurance run in the fourth inning, as Nygren doubled to right. With two outs, Erin Wallace provided Minnesota's third double of the game to drive in Allie Fisk, who was pinch-running for Nygren.
Minnesota upped its record to 6-1 on the season, while Marten moved to 5-0 with her second complete game shutout of the year.
In the semifinal, the Golden Gophers downed Northern Illinois 7-1, while Nygren drove in five runs and hit her first home run of the season.
The Golden Gophers jumped out front early, scoring a pair of runs in the first inning. After Sward and Hays led off the game with singles, Nygren drove them home with a double to left-center field.
Nygren then hit her 29th career home run in the third inning to give the Golden Gophers a 3-0 lead.
After NIU scored in the top of the fourth inning, the Golden Gophers exploded for four runs in the bottom of the frame. With one out, Angie Recknor singled to left field. Sward and Hays both reached base to load the bases for Nygren. The power hitting infielder singled to center to drive in Recknor and Sward.
With two outs, Veronica Roberts doubled to drive in Kolu Paye, who was pinch running for Nygren, and Hays. Recknor picked up her first victory of the season to raise her mark to 1-1, striking out four in five innings of work.
The Golden Gophers will next be in action when they travel to Raleigh, N.C. to compete in the Triangle Classic Feb. 15-17.
