University of Minnesota Athletics
Oregon State Rallies Late to Upend Gophers
3/1/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The University of Minnesota softball team was unable to hold on to a late lead, and Oregon State defeated the Gophers (10-11) by a 4-1 score Sunday. Minnesota concluded play at the DeMarini Invitational in Fullerton, Calif., with a 2-3 record at the event. The Beavers, who are receiving votes in this week’s USA Today/NFCA poll, evened their season mark at 10-10.
With the Gophers holding a 1-0 lead, the Beavers rallied for four two-out runs in the top of the final inning to put Minnesota away. It appeared that the Gophers might get out of the inning when Minnesota catcher Shannon Stemper tagged out OSU baserunner Paige Lowe for the second out when Lowe attempted to score from third on a passed ball. However, OSU’s Erin Guzy struck the fatal blow with a two-run double down the left field line one batter later.
Minnesota pitcher Briana Hassett (10-6) took the loss in spite of a strong performance. Through six innings, it appeared that Hassett might throw her third consecutive shutout. She held the Beavers to just one hit through six innings and recorded seven strikeouts, bringing her conference-leading total to 158 in 107 innings.
Colleen Conway doubled to open the fifth inning and came around to score the first run of the game on a successful squeeze bunt by Stemper. Conway finished the game with three hits, extending her hitting streak to five games. She has hit safely in nine of the Gophers’ last ten games.
Minnesota returns to the West Coast next weekend when they travel to Tucson, Ariz., to participate in the Hillenbrand Invitational at the University of Arizona. Minnesota co-head coaches Lisa Bernstein and Julie Standering will likely preside over their 1,000th Gopher softball contest at the tournament, which takes place at their alma mater. The Gophers begin play with a doubleheader against host No. 10 Arizona on Friday at 4:00 p.m.
-UM-
With the Gophers holding a 1-0 lead, the Beavers rallied for four two-out runs in the top of the final inning to put Minnesota away. It appeared that the Gophers might get out of the inning when Minnesota catcher Shannon Stemper tagged out OSU baserunner Paige Lowe for the second out when Lowe attempted to score from third on a passed ball. However, OSU’s Erin Guzy struck the fatal blow with a two-run double down the left field line one batter later.
Minnesota pitcher Briana Hassett (10-6) took the loss in spite of a strong performance. Through six innings, it appeared that Hassett might throw her third consecutive shutout. She held the Beavers to just one hit through six innings and recorded seven strikeouts, bringing her conference-leading total to 158 in 107 innings.
Colleen Conway doubled to open the fifth inning and came around to score the first run of the game on a successful squeeze bunt by Stemper. Conway finished the game with three hits, extending her hitting streak to five games. She has hit safely in nine of the Gophers’ last ten games.
Minnesota returns to the West Coast next weekend when they travel to Tucson, Ariz., to participate in the Hillenbrand Invitational at the University of Arizona. Minnesota co-head coaches Lisa Bernstein and Julie Standering will likely preside over their 1,000th Gopher softball contest at the tournament, which takes place at their alma mater. The Gophers begin play with a doubleheader against host No. 10 Arizona on Friday at 4:00 p.m.
-UM-
Players Mentioned
3B
/ SoftballP
/ SoftballC
/ 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