University of Minnesota Athletics
Golden Gopher Softball Team Splits Doubleheader at Northwestern
4/11/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
- Box Score - Game 2
Valerie Alston hit her first career home run in the top of the seventh inning as the University of Minnesota softball team (24-13, 5-3) defeated Northwestern, 2-1, in the the first game of a doubleheader in Evanston, Ill. The Wildcats (19-13, 3-5) rebounded in the second game with a 4-0 victory to earn a split of the series.
In game one, Northwestern took the first lead of the game in the bottom of the third inning. With runners at second and third with no outs, Erin Mobley lined out to centerfielder Stefanie Watt, but was awarded first base due to catcher's interference. With the bases loaded, Garland Cooper drew a walk to bring home the Wildcats' first run. Marten got out of the jam with a pair of strikeouts and a ground out to second base.
Minnesota knotted the game at one in the top of the sixth inning. Pinch hitter Rene Konderik doubled to left center and moved to third base on Tonya Mitchell's ground out. Freshman Megan Higginbotham drove Konderik home with a single to left.
In the top of the seventh inning with one out, Alston sent the first pitch she saw from Wildcat starter Courtnay Foster over the right field wall to give Minnesota its first lead of the game.
Minnesota starter Piper Marten retired Northwestern in order in the bottom of the seventh to earn the complete-game victory. Marten allowed eight hits and struck out nine to earn her 11th victory iu her last 12 starts. Foster allowed seven hits and struck out seven for the Wildcats.
Higginbotham went 2-for-2 at the plate with an RBI.
In the second game, Northwestern freshman Eileen Canney pitched a three-hit shutout in the Wildcats' 4-0 victory. She struck out nine and walked one Golden Gopher.
Northwestern jumped ahead early again with a pair of runs in the second iinning. Kristen Amegin launched a solo home run over the left field wall in the top of the second inning. Following a pair of walks and a wild pitch, Carri Leto hit a grounder back to Minnesota starter Lyu Peyer. The ball deflected off her glove and Elizabeth Piatt raced home for the second run of the inning.
Northwestern added solo runs in the third and fifth innings to take a 4-0 lead. The Wildcats got doubles from Cooper and Eryn Manahan in the third inning and Mobley raced home from third on a wild pitch in the fifth inning.
Peyer pitched the complete game for Minnesota. She allowed four hits and struck out seven. She also walked seven Wildcats.
The Golden Gophers begin their home schedule this Wednesday at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium with a doubleheader against Concordia-St. Paul. The first game will begin at 4 p.m.
