University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Lose 2-0 in First Game at Iowa
5/9/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Minnesota senior pitcher Briana Hassett threw a three-hitter in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader at Iowa, but the Golden Gophers were unable to muster any runs in a 2-0 defeat to the Hawkeyes at Pearl Field.
Hassett (22-24) threw her 38th complete game this season, striking out seven in six innings, and surrendering just two earned runs in the loss. With her seven strikeouts, she increased her season total to 408 in 301.0 innings pitched.
But Hassett had trouble with Iowa first baseman Katie Brown, who accounted for both Hawkeye runs in the game. Brown's solo home run to right field gave Iowa a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, and her solo shot to left field with one out in the fourth inning wrapped up the scoring. Brown was 2-for-2 at the plate, while the rest of the Hawkeyes' lineup combined to go 1-for-11 against Hassett.
Offensively for the Golden Gophers (23-31, 6-13 Big Ten), sophomore first baseman Malisa Barnes went 2-for-3, while freshman second baseman Sammie Howard, junior left fielder Heidi Carls, and freshman centerfielder Dannie Skrove each had one hit for Minnesota, which stranded eight baserunners in the game.
Minnesota had a scoring chance go for naught in the top of the fourth inning, when it loaded the bases after the first two batters had struck out. Junior third baseman Tina Watts got things started by drawing a walk, and she advanced to second on a single to right center by Skrove. Sophomore Natalie Neal then pinch hit for sophomore right fielder Aubrey Davis, and drew a walk to load the bases, but senior shortstop Colleen Conway went down swinging to end the threat.
The teams are currently playing the second game of the afternoon, and the Gophers' final game of the season. Click here to access the Live Stats page.
