University of Minnesota Athletics
No. 6 Wolverines Sweep Gophers in Doubleheader
4/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The Golden Gopher softball team, playing its first games in over a week due to spotty Upper Midwest weather
The Gophers (21-12, 4-4 Big Ten) managed only three hits against Wolverines' starter Nikki Nemitz in game one, but stayed with first-place Michigan (38-4, 11-1 Big Ten) in game two thanks to a strong performance from junior pitcher Katie Dalen. Dalen tossed a complete game and allowed only eight hits against a powerful
In game one, the Wolverines jumped ahead in the top of the first inning with two quick runs off Gopher starter Briana Hassett, notching three hits, a walk and a wild pitch.
In the circle for the Wolverines, pitcher Nemitz was dominant in game one, striking out 12 Gophers to improve her season record to 18-2. The Gophers got a threat going in the bottom of the third, placing runners on first and third, before Sila Fernandez grounded out to end the rally.
As the Gophers fought to come back in game one, Hassett emerged from a tough jam in the top of the sixth to keep
Colleen Conway and Sila Fernandez each had singles for the Gophers in game one. Hassett (14-5) struck out six while taking the loss.
Dalen (7-7) allowed single runs in the first and second innings of game two, but the righthander was nearly perfect from that point on. The junior effectively changed speeds and limited the Wolverines to only seven singles and a solo homer all afternoon, including just four hits after the second inning.
The Gophers' best chance to score in the second game came in the bottom half of the second inning. Two walks and a Brianna Sudenga single loaded the bases with just one away, but Colleen Powers popped up and
