University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Softball Splits Pair
2/8/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Minnesota opened the second day of competition with a 5-3 victory over Wisconsin-Green Bay. The Golden Gophers tied a tournament record, scoring five in the second inning, which was more than enough for sophomore Piper Marten (Farmington, N.M./Farmington).
Shelly Nichols (Austin, Texas/Stephen F. Austin) led off the second with a smash to the shortstop. Following the error, Veronica Roberts (San Diego, Calif./Mt. Carmel) singled, moving Nichols to second. A Hailee Nanchy (Ontario, Calif./Ontario Christian) single loaded the bases for the Golden Gophers.
First-year infielder Rachel Keeney (Eagan, Minn./Burnsville) reached on a fielder's choice to drive in Nichols, while Roberts was thrown out at third base. Stephanie Sward (Maplewood, Minn./North St. Paul) followed with a hit to left field that UW-GB's Brenda Bauman misplayed allowing Keeney and Nanchy to score. Tammi Hays (Hastings, Minn./Hastings) promptly followed with a double, driving in Sward and Wallace to cap the scoring.
In relief of Lyn Peyer (Chanhassen, Minn./Minnetonka), Marten pitched four scoreless innings to up her record to 3-0 on the season. Marten struck out three, while walking one. In her first collegiate start, Peyer pitched three innings, striking out and walking one, while giving up five hits and three runs.
In the second game, Minnesota fell to Northern Iowa 4-2.
The Golden Gophers jumped out early, scoring in the first inning. Sward led off the game, reaching base after being hit by a pitch. Sward scored as Hays, Jordanne Nygren (Farmington, N.M./Farmington) and Nichols followed with three consecutive singles. A double play squelched the rally.
After the Panthers scored in the third, Minnesota once again took the lead as Nanchy singled with one out. Kolu Paye (Brooklyn Center, Minn./Champlin Park), pinch-running for Nanchy, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Angie Recknor (Minnetonka, Minn./Hopkins) and later scored on an Erin Wallace (Laguna Niguel, Calif./Alisa Niguel) single.
Northern Iowa scored a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth inning to take a 4-2 advantage. The Golden Gophers threatened in the seventh with runners at second and third with one out, but they were unable to push any runs across.
The Golden Gophers wrap up match-play Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. versus Northern Illinois. Quarterfinal games will begin at 5 and 7 p.m., respectively. The tournament will conclude Sunday.
