University of Minnesota Athletics
Softball Advances to Fifth Place Game at National Invitational
3/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
- Box Score - Game 2
The University of Minnesota softball team (11-9) bounced back from a 6-2 loss vs. No. 3 California with a 3-1 win against Syracuse at the National Invitational in San Jose, Calif. The Golden Gophers will face Purdue for fifth-place tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. Central.
Against California, Minnesota jumped ahead 1-0 in the top of the second inning with aggressive base running. Hailee Nanchy led off the inning with a single to center. Christina Zimmerman came into pinch run and was moved over to third on ground ball outs from Rachel Keeney and Katie Meyer. After Tonya Mitchell walked, Stephanie Watt came to the plate. The Golden Gophers pulled off a successful double steal. Haley Woods' throw to second was high and Zimmerman raced home for the first run. On the next pitch, Mitchell stole third and Woods' throw sailed into left field to bring home Minnesota's second run.
Junior Lyn Peyer got the start and needed just 16 pitches to get through Cal's lineup the first time around. The Bears' got two runners on board in the fourth and Peyer was relieved by Piper Marten. After Jessica Pamanian walked to load the bases, Chelsea Spencer delivered a two-run single to center. Pamanian and Spencer advanced into scoring position as the throw home sailed wide. On the next pitch, the Bears' took their first lead as Roni Rodriguez drove home two more runs with a single to center. Marten got out of the inning with a pair of strikeouts.
Minnesota had runners in scoring position in each of the first five innings, but were only able to get the two runs across in the second. In the fifth, Minnesota had runners at first and third with two outs. Cal pulled starter Kelly Anderson in favor of Kristine Thorson, who threw a five-inning no hitter against Virginia on Friday. Thorson struck out Valerie Alston to end the threat.
California increased its lead in the sixth inning on a two-run home run by Spencer. The two-run blast gave the Bears a 6-2 lead.
Thorson closed out the game with 2.1 innings of scoreless relief. She struck out four to earn the save.
California entered the game with two wins in the tournament against Purdue and Virginia. The Bears had outscored their opponents by a 16-0 margin.
In the second game against Syracuse, Minnesota took another early lead with a run in the third inning. Mitchell and Stephanie Sward reached on infield singles. Sward stole second and as the throw went wide, Mitchell sprinted home for the go-ahead run.
The lead didn't last long as the Orangewomen rallied in the fourth. Tonya Rose led off the inning with a single and moved to second on Cassie Morales' single to left field. With runners on first and second with two out, Jen Elderbroom sent a hard liner to short. Rachel Keeney bobbled it and her throw sailed wide which allowed Rose to score from second.
Minnesota regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning with a pair of runs. Mitchell and Sward reached again on singles and Lindsey Erickson hit a slow grounder which allowed Mitchell to race home for the eventual game-winner. After Megan Higginbotham singled to load the bases, Nanchy walked to bring home another run.
The two-run cushion was all Marten needed. She allowed an unearned run and two hits for her ninth complete game in as many starts. Marten struck out nine.
Sward and Mitchell each had two hits and accounted for all three of Minnesota's runs.
