University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Fall 1-0 to Penn State in Game 1
4/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The University of Minnesota softball team lost the first game of a doubleheader versus Penn State on Saturday afternoon, falling 1-0 in a pitchers’ duel at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium.
Senior pitcher Briana Hassett got off to a quick start in the game, striking out the side in the top of the first inning to work around a one-out walk.
In the bottom of the first, Minnesota shortstop Colleen Conway led off with a bunt single, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, but was unable to score.
Penn State was held hitless until shortstop Desi Giordano’s one-out single to right field in the top of the fifth inning. Giordano then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, but Hassett retired the side by getting third baseman Shana Madura to ground out to Conway at shortstop.
In the bottom of the sixth, left fielder Heidi Carls singled to right with one out, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior right fielder Katie Dalen, but freshman centerfielder Dannie Skrove popped up to third base to end the scoring threat.
The Nittany Lions then took a 1-0 lead when senior first baseman Danielle Kinley led off the sixth with a towering home run to right center, her second of the season.
The Gophers tried to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh, when sophomore first baseman Malisa Barnes led off with a single to center, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, but Minnesota was unable to get the run home, and the Nittany Lions held on for the 1-0 win.
Game two of the doubleheader will start at approximately 2:55 p.m.
