University of Minnesota Athletics
Marten Throws Perfect Game in Softball Sweep
4/17/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Des Moines, Iowa - With 6-0 and 7-2 victories over Drake, the Minnesota softball team earned its seventh consecutive 30-win season, improving to 31-16 overall. Piper Marten earned both victories and threw her first career collegiate perfect game in the opener.
Marten struckout 10 of the first 12 Bulldogs she faced en route to her third no-hitter this season and Minnesota's first perfect game since Angie Recknor blanked Akron on March 25, 2000. Marten concluded the opener with a school-record 15 strikeouts, tying her own mark she already shared with Heather Brown and Jennifer Johnson.
Marten (19-10) also struckout 15 in her first no-hitter this season against Boston. She combined with Lyn Peyer to no-hit Pittsburgh on March 9. Marten relieved Peyer after the rookie started the game and walked the only two batters she faced. Marten went on to throw the complete-game shutout, striking out 13.
During the opener, Minnesota scored a run in the first and second innings and two each in the fifth and sixth frames to support Marten. Anne Thul went 3-for-4, while Veronica Roberts and Tammi Hays both had a pair of hits. Shelly Nichols drove in two, while Jordanne Nygren and Hailee Nanchy both had a RBI. Stephanie Sward scored twice and stole her 20th base of the season.
In the nightcap, the Gophers flexed their muscle against Drake (6-35) racking up eight extra-base hits for the second time in three games, including two triples and two homeruns. Nygren hit her fifth homerun of the season and 33rd of her career, along with a pair of doubles. Nichols also hit her fifth homerun this season and added a double, while scoring three times.
Sward hit her first collegiate triple, while driving in a pair on runs. Thul had double with two RBI, while Roberts went 2-for-3, including her team-high fourth triple of the season.Minnesota posted 25 hits in the two victories.
The Gophers return to action Friday at 6 p.m. when they will host Indiana at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium. Minnesota will conclude its series with the Hoosiers with a noon contest on Saturday.
Game One Score by Innings R H E Minnesota........... 110 022 0 - 6 12 0 Drake............... 000 000 0 - 0 0 2 E - Waterman; Smith. LOB - Gophers 7. 2B - Roberts. SH - Marten. SF - Nygren. SB - Hays; Sward. CS - Fisk; Sward. Win - Marten (18-10). Loss - Henry (3-21). Game Two Score by Innings R H E Minnesota........... 002 032 0 - 7 13 0 Drake............... 001 000 1 - 2 6 0 LOB - Gophers 11; Bulldogs 6. 2B - Nygren 2; Nichols; Thul; Smith; Moses; Payne. 3B - Roberts; Sward. HR - Nygren(5); Nichols(5). HBP - Nanchy; Keeney. SH - Marten; Lindberg 2; Deshaw. SB - Nichols. Win - Marten (19-10). Loss - Henry (3-22).
