University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Loses to Illinois on Senior Day
5/3/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The University of Minnesota softball team dropped its second-straight one-run decision versus Illinois Sunday afternoon, falling to the University of Illinois by a score of 2-1 in eight innings on Senior Day.
The game was a pitchers’ duel from the start, with Minnesota senior Briana Hassett facing Illini freshman hurler Monica Perry. Hassett (22-23) struck out seven to increase her season total to 401, becoming just the fourth pitcher in Big Ten history to reach 400 Ks in a season. But Perry (24-13) got the win by scattering five Gopher hits and escaping a couple jams.
"Briana did a good job again for us today. It's getting to be late in the season, and I think her arm is starting to feel all the wear-and-tear of all the innings we've asked her to throw for us, but she was able to get into a groove and come up with some strikeouts in key situations," Minnesota co-head coach Lisa Bernstein said. "Illinois has a good-hitting lineup, but Briana was able to get us some ground ball outs, and she's been able to do that for us the entire year. She is so commited to the program, she bleeds Maroon and Gold, and she is a great leader for this team."
Illinois jumped ahead 1-0 in the top of the fifth after a leadoff double by first baseman Meredith Hackett. The Gophers’ Hassett almost escaped the jam by striking out the next two Illinois batters, but second baseman Danielle Zymkowitz doubled to left center, just under the glove of Minnesota shortstop Colleen Conway to give the visitors the lead.
The Golden Gophers (23-30, 6-12 Big Ten) responded with a run in the bottom of the fifth, though. Senior designated player Katie Dalen, who went 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored, started things off with a single to left. Freshman centerfielder Dannie Skrove was hit by a pitch, which moved Dalen to second base, and both runners advanced on a grounder to the pitcher by junior third baseman Tina Watts.
Sophomore pinch hitter Mallory Mitchell then drove a fly ball down the left field line, which was fielded in foul territory by Illinois’ Hollie Pinchback. The drive was deep enough to score Dalen from third, but Skrove got caught in a rundown for the final out of the frame.
Minnesota had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the seventh, as it loaded the bases with one out after Perry walked two batters and hit one. But sophomore right fielder Aubrey Davis grounded to the shortstop, who threw home for a forceout, and senior shortstop Colleen Conway lined out to center to end the threat.
In the eighth, Zymkowitz singled with one out, advanced to second on a fielder’s choice grounder to Hassett, and scored what proved to be the winning run on an two-out error by freshman second baseman Sammie Howard.
Perry retired the Gophers in order in the bottom of the eighth, and the Illini improved to 29-15 overall and 12-7 in the conference with the win.
"We hit the ball hard, and we put it in play today, but Illinois played well defensively," Minnesota co-head coach Lisa Bernstein said. "I’m proud of the kids, and for how they battled this weekend, but things just didn’t go our way this time."
The Gophers wrap up the 2009 season with a pair of games at nationally-ranked Iowa on Friday and Saturday. Friday’s first pitch is slated for 6:00 p.m. at Pearl Field.
