University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Top Miami of Ohio at Louisville Tournament
3/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The Golden Gopher softball team was finally able to play Sunday afternoon at the Louisville Tournament, and made the most of its opportunity with a 3-2 come-from-behind win over Miami (Ohio) in Kentucky. Minnesota held a 1-0 lead going into the top of the seventh, only to surrender two runs and fall behind 2-1. But seniors Colleen Conway and Sila Fernandez delivered RBI singles in the seventh to give the Gophers (17-6) a 3-2 win.
Junior Briana Hassett tossed a complete game to tie her career-high with her 11th win of the year. The Eagan, Minn. native is now 11-2 on the season and has won her last seven decisions, but allowed her first earned runs late February. Hassett has won two Big Ten Pitcher of the Week awards already this season and had tossed shutouts in her past three outings. She has allowed only one run her past 53 innings pitched.
The Gophers scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth. Minnesota loaded the bases for outfielder Casey Wheeler, but Malisa Barnes was thrown out at home by the second baseman. But the next hitter, freshman Natalie Neal, was hit by a pitch with the bases still loaded to put the Gophers ahead.
The game appeared to be in hand entering the final frame and MInnesota ace Hassett in the circle, but Hassett's 29-inning scoreless streak was brought to an abrupt end by the Red Hawks. Breanna Robinson put the Red Hawks in front with a two-out, two-RBI triple and put Minnesota in danger of losing its second straight game on the heels of a 10-game win streak.
This set the stage for Conway and Fernandez's senior heorics in the seventh. Wheeler struck out to begin the inning, but pinch-hitter Colleen Powers singled to right field and was followed by a Heidi Carls walk. Conway's subsequent single scored Powers to tie the game, with the third baseman and Carls advancing a base on the throw. Fernandez then delivered her team-leading 16th RBI of the season to give Minnesota the win.
With the Louisville Tournament's original scheduled scrapped because of inclement weather, the Gophers will spend another day in Louisville and take on the Cardinals for a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. (Central) Monday. Minnesota then travels to Evansville, Ind. to take on the Evansville Purple Aces in a non-conference game Tuesday and will cross the border back into Kentucky Wednesday for a single-game showdown with the Lady Wildcats.
Minnesota will then enjoy nine days off before it is scheduled to begin Big Ten play March 28 against Michigan State.
Junior Briana Hassett tossed a complete game to tie her career-high with her 11th win of the year. The Eagan, Minn. native is now 11-2 on the season and has won her last seven decisions, but allowed her first earned runs late February. Hassett has won two Big Ten Pitcher of the Week awards already this season and had tossed shutouts in her past three outings. She has allowed only one run her past 53 innings pitched.
The Gophers scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth. Minnesota loaded the bases for outfielder Casey Wheeler, but Malisa Barnes was thrown out at home by the second baseman. But the next hitter, freshman Natalie Neal, was hit by a pitch with the bases still loaded to put the Gophers ahead.
The game appeared to be in hand entering the final frame and MInnesota ace Hassett in the circle, but Hassett's 29-inning scoreless streak was brought to an abrupt end by the Red Hawks. Breanna Robinson put the Red Hawks in front with a two-out, two-RBI triple and put Minnesota in danger of losing its second straight game on the heels of a 10-game win streak.
This set the stage for Conway and Fernandez's senior heorics in the seventh. Wheeler struck out to begin the inning, but pinch-hitter Colleen Powers singled to right field and was followed by a Heidi Carls walk. Conway's subsequent single scored Powers to tie the game, with the third baseman and Carls advancing a base on the throw. Fernandez then delivered her team-leading 16th RBI of the season to give Minnesota the win.
With the Louisville Tournament's original scheduled scrapped because of inclement weather, the Gophers will spend another day in Louisville and take on the Cardinals for a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. (Central) Monday. Minnesota then travels to Evansville, Ind. to take on the Evansville Purple Aces in a non-conference game Tuesday and will cross the border back into Kentucky Wednesday for a single-game showdown with the Lady Wildcats.
Minnesota will then enjoy nine days off before it is scheduled to begin Big Ten play March 28 against Michigan State.
Players Mentioned
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/ SoftballHighlights: Gophers 6, Central Michigan 1
Saturday, February 21
Highlights: Gophers 7, LIU 6
Saturday, February 21
Highlights: Gophers 11, NMSU 4
Saturday, February 14
Highlights: Gophers 8, UTEP 6
Friday, February 13