University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Top UC Riverside 6-1 in Tourney Finale
2/21/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Minnesota opened the game on the right foot when Malisa Barnes led off with a single in the top of the first and eventually made her way around the base paths to score on a single by Kari Dorle, giving the Gophers an early 1-0 lead. The Gophers (3-6 overall, 0-0 Big Ten) then shut down the Highlanders in the bottom of the inning, sitting down the first three batters of the day for UC Riverside.
After a scoreless second, Minnesota would explode with four runs in the third inning. Alex Davis and Dorle would once again hit back-to-back home runs for their second and sixth home runs of the year, respectively. After Jessie Hathway walked to lead off the inning, Davis would tally a pair of RBIs when she sent a shot over the left field wall, only for Dorle to follow up with another home run over the left field wall. After Dannie Skrove singled to get on base later in the inning, Aubrey Davis would hit a two-out single to score Skrove and give the Gophers a 5-0 lead.
The contest would remain that way until the bottom of the sixth inning when UC Riverside would finally plate its only run of the game. Alexis Pickett led off the inning with a single to center field and advanced to third on a pair of groundouts before scoring on a wild pitch.
The Gophers would answer back in the next half inning when Natalie Neal singled to third and Kristin Coonrod came on to pinch run, then stole second and scored on a fielding error after Skrove lined a base hit to right field.
Sara Moulton picked up her third win of the year, throwing all seven innings. The freshman gave up one run on four hits while walking four and striking out six. Amy Lwin took the loss for UC Riverside, pitching two innings while giving up four runs on four hits.
Minnesota returns to action next weekend at the Spartan Classic in Greensboro, N.C. Continue checking Gophersports.com for softball updates.
