University of Minnesota Athletics
#8 Michigan Tops Gophers in 8 Innings, 4-1
4/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. The University of Minnesota softball team dropped a heartbreaker Saturday afternoon, losing to eighth-ranked Michigan, 4-1, in eight innings.
With the score tied at 1-1 and one out in the eighth, Michigan pitcher Nikki Nemitz hit her third home run of the season, a three-run blast to right-center, to give the Wolverines (28-9, 5-2) the dramatic walk-off victory.
"We were in it the whole way, and we made some tremendous defensive plays today," Minnesota co-head coach Lisa Bernstein said. "Briana (Hassett) kept them off-balance, and gave us a chance to win the game, but you just have to tip your hat to Michigan, because it came up with the key plays at the end."
Minnesota (21-23, 4-5 Big Ten) opened the scoring on a solo home run to right center by senior catcher Shannon Stemper with two outs in the top of the fourth inning. It was the third homer this season for Stemper, and just the seventh round-tripper allowed by Nemitz in 2009.
"Shannon had a really good game for us today," Bernstein said. "She gave us the lead with her home run, she called a good game, and threw a runner out."
The Wolverines quickly answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the fourth, but it could have been much worse for the Golden Gophers. A leadoff walk, followed by a single and a second walk loaded the bases with no outs. But Hassett got out of the jam with minimal damage by getting the next three batters to fly to center.
Hassett pitched her 29th complete game of the season, going 7 1/3 innings and allowing six hits and four earned runs. She struck out seven and walked just three, but fell to 20-16 with the difficult loss.
"It’s hard to lose a game like this, especially when it’s against one of the best teams in the country," Bernstein said. "But we know we just have to come out again tomorrow, play just as hard, and try to get a split."
The Gophers and Wolverines wrap up their series tomorrow, with first pitch slated for Noon (CT).
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