University of Minnesota Athletics
Extra-innings Home Run Beats Gophers
3/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Friday the 13th proved to be an unlucky day for the University of Minnesota softball team, as it opened play at the Courtyard by Marriott Cardinal Tournament in Louisville, Ky., with a 5-2 loss to Eastern Michigan in eight innings after the Eagles hit a walkoff three-run home run for the win.
The setback snapped the Golden Gophers' three-game winning streak, dropping their record to 13-14, while EMU improved to 6-9 with the dramatic victory.
Eastern Michigan's home run was hit to left center by center fielder Jenny Scherer with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, spoiling a strong pitching performance by Minnesota senior Briana Hassett (13-8). Hassett struck out 15 Eagles batters in the game to increase her season total to 205 strikeouts in just 141 1/3 innings pitched.
The Golden Gophers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the game, scoring a run in the first inning against the Eagles. Minnesota second baseman Sammie Howard drew a one-out walk, stole second, and then opened the scoring by sprinting home on an RBI single to left field by first baseman Malisa Barnes. Minnesota had a chance to do more damage when catcher Shannon Stemper reached on a fielder's choice, and Barnes advanced to third on an error by EMU second baseman Lauren Delapaz. Left fielder Heidi Carls was then hit by a pitch to load the bases, but designated player Katie Dalen struck out swinging to end the inning.
Minnesota added a run in the top of the fourth inning when shortstop Brianna Sudenga reached on a fielder's choice, and moved up to second on an EMU fielding error by third baseman Heather Han. A single by third baseman Colleen Conway then loaded the bases once more, and Sudenga scored on an RBI groundout by second baseman Sammie Howard to give the Gophers the 2-0 advantage.
But Eastern Michigan bounced back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie the score at 2-2. The Eagles, who had been held hitless through the first three innings, came to life with three hits, including two doubles against Hassett.
EMU threatened again in the bottom of the sixth inning, when Han hit a one-out double to center field, and advanced to third on a ground ball to second. But Hassett kept the game tied by forcing a groundout to third.
After both teams failed to score in the seventh, the game went to the eighth tied at 2-2, marking Minnesota's second-straight extra innings outing. The Gophers pulled out a dramatic 1-0 win over Creighton last weekend by scoring a run in the eighth, but it wasn't meant to be against EMU.
Freshman centerfielder Dannie Skrove, one of the Gophers' fastest players, started the extra frame at second base per international tie-breaker rules, and advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Sudenga. But pinch-hitter Natalie Neal grounded out to third, and Colleen Conway lined out to shortstop to end Minnesota's half, and set up the disappointing finish for the Maroon and Gold.
Barnes led Minnesota offensively, going 2-for-3 with a run batted in, while Howard finished 1-for-2 with a run scored, an RBI, and a pair of walks.
Minnesota returns to action on Saturday when it faces nationally-ranked Louisville at 2:00 p.m., followed by a 6:00 p.m. game against Loyola-Chicago.
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