University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Rally, But Fall to Illinois, 5-4
5/2/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. The University of Minnesota softball team came up just short against Illinois on Saturday, falling by a score of 5-4 at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium.
The Illini jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Danielle Zymkowitz reached base on a throwing error by Minnesota pitcher Briana Hassett, and advanced to second on the play. After a one-out walk was issued to Hollie Pinchback, Illinois’ Katrina Ross drove a single up the middle, just out of the reach of Gopher shortstop Colleen Conway, to score Zymkowitz.
In the top of the third, Illinois increased its lead to 2-0. Back-to-back singles by Jamie Adishian and Pinchback, followed by a walk to Ross, loaded the bases with one out. Kelley Wedel then singled to left center, scoring Adishian. But Colleen Conway forced out Pinchback at home plate after a grounder to short, and Hassett got Meredith Hackett to strike out looking to escape further damage.
Illinois added another run in the top of the fourth inning, when shortstop Ashley Conrad hit her fourth home run of the season over the wall in right center to stretch the lead to 3-0.
Minnesota started chipping away with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to cut Illinois’ lead to 3-2. With one out and the bases loaded, sophomore designated player Mallory Mitchell drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to right, and the Gophers then scored an unearned run when Illini right fielder Katie Lutes dropped a fly ball down the right field line by Minnesota pinch hitter Katie Dalen.
The Golden Gophers tied the score at 3-3 one inning later. Conway started things by punching a single to right center with one out, and advanced to second on a wild pitch by Illini starter Monica Perry. Sophomore first baseman Malisa Barnes then drove an offering by Perry into left center to knot the score.
But Illinois answered with two runs in the top of the sixth to pull back in front, 5-3. After the Illini worked the bases loaded with no outs, Hassett uncharacteristically walked Pinchback to plate the first run, and Wedel grounded to short to score the eventual winning marker.
Minnesota tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh frame, as Conway collected her second hit of the game by driving a ball between Illinois’ first and second basemen with one out, and freshman second baseman Sammie Howard followed with a single to left. A groundout by Barnes advanced both runners, before senior catcher Shannon Stemper made it 5-4 by blooping a single into short left to score Conway. On the play, Illinois’ centerfielder bobbled the ball when she tried to pick it up, but Howard had stopped at third, and junior left fielder Heidi Carls lined out to third to end the game.
The Gophers and Illini will wrap up the series on Sunday afternoon. Minnesota’s six seniors will be recognized prior to the game. First pitch at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium is set for 1:00 p.m.
