University of Minnesota Athletics
Softball Drops Pair of Close Contests at Dome
2/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Senior pitcher Briana Hassett had a strong day for Minnesota, striking out 17 in eight and a third innings of work in two games, but it was not enough as the Gophers dropped both of their games on Saturday at the Metrodome Classic in Minneapolis.
In the first game, the Golden Gophers rallied in the seventh inning to score two runs, but it was not enough as the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay held off the Golden Gophers to secure a 5-2 victory.
Down 5-0 in the seventh inning, Minnesota put together a two-out rally to prevent Green Bay’s pitcher Samantha Schmeltzer from getting the shutout. Leftfielder Heidi Carls began the seventh with a single to right center, but the next two Gopher batters recorded outs. However, Minnesota rallied with three straight singles.
Shortstop Brianna Sudenga came to bat and singled to right field, moving Carls to third. Then pinch hitter Natalie Neal knocked a single down the right field line, driving in Carls and moving Sudenga to third base. Third baseman Colleen Conway followed with a sharp RBI single. The Phoenix then brought in Amanda Margelofsky to pitch, who promptly got the final out for the save.
It was a tough day for Minnesota’s starting pitcher Alissa Koch, who gave up five runs in four and two-thirds innings of work. However, Malisa Barnes and Conway had strong days at the plate, each recording two singles.
In the second game of the day, the Gophers fell 3-2 to the University of Arkansas. After a turbulent first inning, senior pitcher Briana Hassett held Arkansas scoreless for the rest of the game, striking out 12 Razorbacks and allowing only one hit.
Arkansas started strong, scoring three runs in the first inning, but the Gophers came back to threaten in the second. With bases loaded and one out, Minnesota looked to bring in a few runs of its own. However, Razorbacks pitcher Kelsie Vallies hunkered down by causing the next two Gopher hitters to ground out.
In the fourth inning, Minnesota came back with a run of its own to make the score 3-1. With Sudenga on first and Dannie Skrove on second, left fielder Aubrey Davis blooped a single into left field that was just out of reach for three converging Razorbacks, scoring Skrove and moving Sudenga to third.
Minnesota added another run in the fifth on a Skrove double to right center, which brought in Barnes from second base.
Just like in Minnesota’s first game of the day, the Gophers threatened in the seventh inning, but fell short. Barnes started the inning with a single to left field and, two batters later, Carls singled to left field. Arkansas pitcher Miranda Dixon struck out Natalie Neal, but then threw a wild pitch, advancing Barnes and Carls to third and second, respectively. The cards were not dealt in Minnesota’s favor, though, as Skrove struck out to end the game.
The Gophers will face Drake University on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the final day of the Metrodome Classic in Minneapolis.
In the first game, the Golden Gophers rallied in the seventh inning to score two runs, but it was not enough as the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay held off the Golden Gophers to secure a 5-2 victory.
Down 5-0 in the seventh inning, Minnesota put together a two-out rally to prevent Green Bay’s pitcher Samantha Schmeltzer from getting the shutout. Leftfielder Heidi Carls began the seventh with a single to right center, but the next two Gopher batters recorded outs. However, Minnesota rallied with three straight singles.
Shortstop Brianna Sudenga came to bat and singled to right field, moving Carls to third. Then pinch hitter Natalie Neal knocked a single down the right field line, driving in Carls and moving Sudenga to third base. Third baseman Colleen Conway followed with a sharp RBI single. The Phoenix then brought in Amanda Margelofsky to pitch, who promptly got the final out for the save.
It was a tough day for Minnesota’s starting pitcher Alissa Koch, who gave up five runs in four and two-thirds innings of work. However, Malisa Barnes and Conway had strong days at the plate, each recording two singles.
In the second game of the day, the Gophers fell 3-2 to the University of Arkansas. After a turbulent first inning, senior pitcher Briana Hassett held Arkansas scoreless for the rest of the game, striking out 12 Razorbacks and allowing only one hit.
Arkansas started strong, scoring three runs in the first inning, but the Gophers came back to threaten in the second. With bases loaded and one out, Minnesota looked to bring in a few runs of its own. However, Razorbacks pitcher Kelsie Vallies hunkered down by causing the next two Gopher hitters to ground out.
In the fourth inning, Minnesota came back with a run of its own to make the score 3-1. With Sudenga on first and Dannie Skrove on second, left fielder Aubrey Davis blooped a single into left field that was just out of reach for three converging Razorbacks, scoring Skrove and moving Sudenga to third.
Minnesota added another run in the fifth on a Skrove double to right center, which brought in Barnes from second base.
Just like in Minnesota’s first game of the day, the Gophers threatened in the seventh inning, but fell short. Barnes started the inning with a single to left field and, two batters later, Carls singled to left field. Arkansas pitcher Miranda Dixon struck out Natalie Neal, but then threw a wild pitch, advancing Barnes and Carls to third and second, respectively. The cards were not dealt in Minnesota’s favor, though, as Skrove struck out to end the game.
The Gophers will face Drake University on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the final day of the Metrodome Classic in Minneapolis.
Players Mentioned
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