University of Minnesota Athletics
SB: Minnesota Sweeps Visiting Wisconsin-Green Bay
4/6/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The University of Minnesota softball team (18-16) snapped a three-game slide with a two- game sweep of Wisconsin-Green Bay (7-10) on Wednesday night at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium. Senior Lyn Peyer threw a two-hit, complete game shutout as the Golden Gophers claimed a 3-0 win in the first game. In the nightcap, Minnesota capitalized on four Phoenix errors in a 6-2 victory.
In the first game, Minnesota did not register its first hit off of UWGB starter Kristin Kosobucki until the fourth inning. Sophomore Megan Higginbotham led off the fourth with a blistering single to left field, but on the next pitch, Rachel Keeney popped into a double play. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Kosobucki walked the leadoff hitter, Rene Konderik. Once again though, UWGB benefited from another double play.
Minnesota broke through in the bottom of the sixth inning. Senior Stephanie Sward reached on an infield single and promptly stole second. After moving to third on Chrissy Sward’s sacrifice, Lindsey Erickson drove home the eventual gamewinner with a bloop single to left center. The Golden Gophers tacked on two more runs in the inning after Green Bay’s attempted pickoff attempt at second was botched, which allowed Higginbotham and Keeney to score on the play.
Peyer allowed only a pair of singles on the night as she earned her fourth shutout of the season. She struck out five and did not issue a walk.
In the second game, Minnesota jumped ahead with two runs in the bottom of the first inning as Keeney delivered a two-out, two run single. For Keeney, the hit increased her season RBI total to 20. She had 19 RBI in her first three seasons with the Golden Gophers.
After Wisconsin-Green Bay cut the lead to 2-1, Minnesota added two more runs in the bottom of the third inning. After Lindsey Erickson singled, Higginbotham stroked an RBI double, but was thrown out on the play at third. Keeney would increase the lead to 4-1 after walking and eventual scoring on a dropped fly ball in left field.
After the Phoenix answered with a run in the top of the fourth inning, Minnesota upped the margin to 6-2 with single runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Junior Valerie Alston drove home a run in the fifth with a sacrifice fly. In the sixth with the bases loaded, Erickson grounded out to drive Stefanie Watt home from third.
Sophomore Mandy Valadez picked up the win for Minnesota after allowing two runs on six hits in three innings. Peyer earned her third save of the season with four shutout innings of relief. She allowed just two hits. On the day, Peyer pitched 11 shutout innings, while allowing just four hits.
Keeney led Minnesota at the plate in the second game. She finished with two hits, two RBI and two runs scored.
The Golden Gophers continue their homestand this weekend at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium. Minnesota will face No. 18 Northwestern on Friday night at 6 p.m. and on Saturday afternoon at Noon. The Golden Gophers will welcome top-ranked Michi
