University of Minnesota Athletics
Hassett, Barnes' Heroics Highlight Gopher Sweep
2/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Briana Hassett threw two complete games and Malisa Barnes delivered a walkoff double in a 1-0 win over Loyola-Chicago in the first game of the day, as Minnesota (8-7) improved its record at the Islander Invitational in Corpus Christi, Texas, to a perfect 4-0. Hassett’s 13 strikeouts lifted the Gophers to a 4-1 win over Pittsburgh in the second game of the day.
“The entire team has played really well this weekend, and today we were able to put some great pitching together with timely hitting and solid defense,” co-head coach Lisa Bernstein said. “When you can do all those things, good things happen. We were proud to see a lot of different players step up and play well.”
Strikeouts by Hassett accounted for 24 of the 42 outs the Gophers recorded in their two wins Saturday. The Minnesota defense came through for the senior hurler when the opposition was able to put the ball in play, playing errorless defense. After fanning 276 during her junior season a year ago, Hassett has already recorded 112 strikeouts in just 76 innings this season.
“Bri’s strikeout totals certainly helped us out today. Both teams had problems putting the ball in play today against her and that really took the pressure off our defense,” Bernstein said. “We’ve really played some unbelievable defense through the first two days; that’s great to see.”
Malisa Barnes broke a scoreless tie with a walkoff double in the bottom of the seventh inning and Hassett’s three-hit shutout helped the Gophers to edge Loyola-Chicago 1-0 in the opening game of the day.
Colleen Conway had two of the Gophers’ six hits in the opener and scored from second base on the Barnes double to help Minnesota to the victory. Brianna Sudenga continued her hot hitting, going 1-for-2. The sophomore shortstop is hitting .625 through the first three games of the tournament.
Hassett threw another complete game in the win over Pittsburgh to improve her season record to 8-3. Barnes again led the Gophers offensively, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Dannie Skrove continued to impress, going 1-for-2 with a pair of runs scored. Through 15 games this season, Skrove is leading the team with a .472 on-base percentage and has played solid defense in centerfield.
The Gophers are back in action in the Lone Star State tomorrow morning with a rematch against Pittsburgh at 10:00 a.m. (CT). The Gophers’ Islander Invitational finale will air live on the Gold Zone at gophersports.com.
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“The entire team has played really well this weekend, and today we were able to put some great pitching together with timely hitting and solid defense,” co-head coach Lisa Bernstein said. “When you can do all those things, good things happen. We were proud to see a lot of different players step up and play well.”
Strikeouts by Hassett accounted for 24 of the 42 outs the Gophers recorded in their two wins Saturday. The Minnesota defense came through for the senior hurler when the opposition was able to put the ball in play, playing errorless defense. After fanning 276 during her junior season a year ago, Hassett has already recorded 112 strikeouts in just 76 innings this season.
“Bri’s strikeout totals certainly helped us out today. Both teams had problems putting the ball in play today against her and that really took the pressure off our defense,” Bernstein said. “We’ve really played some unbelievable defense through the first two days; that’s great to see.”
Malisa Barnes broke a scoreless tie with a walkoff double in the bottom of the seventh inning and Hassett’s three-hit shutout helped the Gophers to edge Loyola-Chicago 1-0 in the opening game of the day.
Colleen Conway had two of the Gophers’ six hits in the opener and scored from second base on the Barnes double to help Minnesota to the victory. Brianna Sudenga continued her hot hitting, going 1-for-2. The sophomore shortstop is hitting .625 through the first three games of the tournament.
Hassett threw another complete game in the win over Pittsburgh to improve her season record to 8-3. Barnes again led the Gophers offensively, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Dannie Skrove continued to impress, going 1-for-2 with a pair of runs scored. Through 15 games this season, Skrove is leading the team with a .472 on-base percentage and has played solid defense in centerfield.
The Gophers are back in action in the Lone Star State tomorrow morning with a rematch against Pittsburgh at 10:00 a.m. (CT). The Gophers’ Islander Invitational finale will air live on the Gold Zone at gophersports.com.
-UM-
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/ SoftballHighlights: Gophers 5, SIUE 0
Tuesday, March 10
Highlights: Gophers 4, Indiana 6
Sunday, March 08
Highlights: Gophers 2, Indiana 0
Friday, March 06
Highlights: Gophers 6, Central Michigan 1
Saturday, February 21