University of Minnesota Athletics
Golden Gophers Split Two at the Metrodome Softball Classic
2/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Sophomore Lindsey Erickson picked up the game-winning RBI against Western Illinois in the first game, while Drake's Jessica Hicks and Katie Shimon combined for a four-hit shutout against the Golden Gophers.
Against Western Illinois, Minnesota took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on Tonya Mitchell's infield single. With two outs, Stephanie Sward singled to center and promptly stole second and third. She would score on Mitchell's base hit.
The Westerwinds rallied in the top of the fifth with bases loaded. Cassandra Hallstrom and Brooke Benson each delivered RBI singles to give the Westerwinds a 2-1 lead.
Minnesota wasted no time in knotting the game at two in the bottom of the fifth. With runners at second and third, Megan Higginbotham hit a grounder back to the pitcher. KarenMarie Pena fumbled the ball which allowed Murnane to score from third.
The two teams remained tied through regulation and the game went into extra innings. The Westerwinds took the lead in the top of the eighth as Melissa Dempsky's single scored Richelle Dorsey from third.
Minnesota came to bat in the bottom of the inning and wasted no time. With Higginbotham at second, Valerie Alston ripped a triple to left center to tie the game at three. After Melissa Murnane popped up for the first out, Erickson hit a ground ball to first and Alston raced home for the winning run.
Piper Marten earned the win in relief for Minnesota with two-thirds of an inning. She relieved Lyn Peyer who allowed an unearned run on three hits in three innings. Pena took the loss for Western Illinois. She struck out six and allowed eight hits in 7.2 innings.
Sward and Mitchell led the way for Minnesota at the top of the lineup with two hits apiece. The Golden Gophers' first six hitters in the batting order registered at least one hit.
In the second game against Drake, the Bulldogs defeated Minnesota by a run for the second time in the tournament. Drake got the deciding run with bases loaded in the fourth inning. Emily Hajduk hit a ground ball back to the Marten who tossed to first for the out while Jenna Wilkin came home from third.
Minnesota had a golden opportunity in the sixth inning with runners on first and third with nobody out, but were unable to score. Rachel Keeney struck out and Alston was thrown out at second for a double play. Erickson then grounded out to end the threat.
Minnesota went down in order to the end the game in the seventh inning.
Higgenbotham had three of Minnesota's four hits in the contest, including a double and a stolen base. The true freshman now has a hit in nine of first 10 games as a Golden Gopher.
Marten took the loss for Minnesota after allowing a run on four hits in six innings of work. Hicks earned the win for Drake with five innings of shutout ball. Shimon completed the shutout with two innings of hitless relief.
Minnesota will close out the tournament on Sunday against Wisconsin-Green Bay at 2 p.m.
