University of Minnesota Athletics
Hassett and Barnes Shine in 2-0 Win at Indiana
3/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. Senior pitcher Briana Hassett struck out 11, and sophomore first baseman Malisa Barnes homered for the third-straight game to lead Minnesota to a 2-0 victory at Indiana Sunday afternoon. The win was the Gophers' third in a row, and their sixth in the past eight games.
With the 11 strikeouts, Hassett surpassed her 2008 total of 276 Ks, which had been the third-best single-season total in Golden Gopher softball history. Hassett now has 278 strikeouts in 184 1/3 innings pitched, while improving her record to 18-11 by allowing just one hit against the Hoosiers. Hassett's totals for both strikeouts and wins rank first in the Big Ten.
For the weekend, Hassett posted a record of 2-0, while limiting Indiana to just three hits, no runs, and striking out 25 IU batters in 14 innings of work. She has 22 complete games this year, and 12 shutouts.
"I’m really proud of how well the kids played this weekend," Minnesota co-head coach Lisa Bernstein said. "I really think we performed well in all aspects of the game. We played solid ball defensively, were better (than IU) offensively, had solid pitching once again, and had a lot of energy and support from our bench."
Barnes hit her fifth home run of the season, a two-run shot to left center in the sixth inning, to provide the winning runs for the Gophers. All three of Minnesota’s hits in the game went for extra bases, as senior catcher Shannon Stemper doubled down the right field line in the second frame, and senior third baseman Colleen Conway tripled to center with one out in the sixth.
The games at Indiana capped an 11-game road trip for Minnesota, which finished 6-5 in those contests.
"We’ve been on the road for such a long time," Bernstein said. "I was just really proud of how the players were able to remain focused, and to play so well to start Big Ten play."
With the sweep of the Hoosiers, Minnesota improved to 19-18 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten, while Indiana fell to 3-21 overall and 0-2 in the conference. The Gophers continue Big Ten play this weekend, with single games at Purdue Saturday and Sunday (March 28-29).
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