University of Minnesota Athletics
Nygren Powers Softball to 2-1 Win Over Michigan State
4/11/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Senior third baseman Jordanne Nygren hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning to lead the University of Minnesota softball team to a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Michigan State today in UM's Big Ten home opener at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. The Golden Gophers improved to 28-11-1 on the season and 5-2 in the Big Ten. Michigan State fell to 24-10 overall and 4-2 in the conference.
The Spartans had a strong night at the plate, tallying 10 hits against UM pitchers Piper Marten and Angie Recknor. Marten gave up the lone MSU run in the first inning, but used seven strikeouts and spectacular Minnesota defense to move to 14-7 on the season. Recknor picked up the save, allowing two hits in 1 2/3 innings of relief work.
Michigan State took the lead in the top of the first with three hits. With one out, Sandy Lewis doubled to center field, followed by a two- out double by Tiffany Wallace for the RBI. Marten struck out Angel Merren to escape the inning. The junior pitcher pitched herself out of jams for much of the game.
The score stayed 1-0 in MSU's favor until the bottom of the fifth. Freshman outfielder Stefanie Watt got on base, with a low infield fly for the single. Nygren then hit a liner on a rope to dead center field, the ball just clearing the top of the fence, to give the Maroon and Gold a 2-1 lead. The homer was Nygren's 11th of the season and 47th of her career. She is now riding an season-high eight-game hitting streak.
The Spartans made a valiant comeback effort, but the Minnesota defense stymied the rally in spectacular fashion. In the top of the sixth, Marten put two aboard with a passed ball and a single, bringing Recknor into the game. Margaret Schick loaded the bases with a bunt single to third base. Then, in the most memorable play of the night, Minnesota first baseman Hailee Nanchy made an incredible catch on a hard liner and dove to double up Schick at first and end the inning.
The Spartans put one more runner on base in the seventh, but Recknor struck out Wallace and got Jessica Beech to ground out. Recknor earned the save, her first of the season, in the closely-played game.
The Golden Gophers, winners in 10 of their last 11 games, faces Michigan State tomorrow at noon in the season finale at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium.