University of Minnesota Athletics
Golden Gopher Softball wins Classic Finale over UWGB 6-1
2/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Minnesota took control early with three runs in the first inning. Stephanie Sward led off with a bunt single and Tonya Mitchell reached on a error to start the game. Higginbotham then hit a ground-rule double to bring home two runs. She would later score on a bases loaded walk.
Sward reached again in the fourth inning and advanced to third on a stolen base and a wild pitch. Higginbotham brought her home with an RBI single. Valerie Alston followed with an RBI ground out to second.
Minnesota added a single run in the sixth inning on another ground-rule double from Higginbotham which scored Sward from third. Sward finished the day 4-for-4 with three runs scores.
UW-Green Bay got on the scoreboard in the seventh inning, but the Golden Gophers prevailed 6-1.
Freshman Mandy Valadez earned her first career win for Minnesota. She pitched three scoreless innings and allowed just two hits. Fellow rookie Rene Konderik pitched the final four innings and allowed just one hit with four strikeouts.
Higginbotham, Sward and Alston were named to the All-Tournament Team for Minnesota. Higginbotham led all players in the tournament with 10 hits and finished with a .435 batting average.
