University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Softball Falls at No. 8 Michigan 2-0
4/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
- Box Score
The Golden Gopher softball team (28-18, 7-6) was defeated by eighth-ranked Michigan, 2-0, on Friday night in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Wolverines (41-7, 12-1) improved to 11-0 at home this year with 10 shutouts. The two teams will conclude the two-game series tomorrow afternoon.
The Golden Gophers threatened in the top of the second inning. Valerie Alston led off the inning with a single down the right field line. With two outs, Andrea Smith reached on an infield single just outside the reach of the pitcher Jennie Ritter. Ritter got out of the jam by getting Stefanie Watt to foul out to third base. That was the only inning the Golden Gophers had a runner in scoring position.
Michigan took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. With one out, Monica Schock reached on an error and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Grace Leutele followed with a single to left center. With two outs, Courtney Betley drove the first pitch she saw from Minnesota starter Lyn Peyer to left field to drive home two runs.
The Golden Gophers could not solve Ritter who improved to 18-4 on the season after allowing just five hits. She finished with nine strikeouts without allowing a walk in the contest. Ritter registered at least one strikeout against every Golden Gopher starter.
Peyer took the loss despite her strongest outing of the season against the potent Wolverine attack. She allowed two unearned run and just four hits as she went the distance for Minnesota.
The series finale between the two teams will take place on Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern.