University of Minnesota Athletics
Softball Falls 4-2 to Indiana
3/27/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Minnesota (19-14 overall, 1-1 Big Ten) opened with a two-run first inning for the second day in a row when Malisa Barnes singled to lead off the day for Minnesota and advanced to second when Bree Blanchette singled to right field. With Minnesota's first two batters reaching, Jessie Hathaway would eventually plate both runners with a single to right field that scored Barnes from second. A throwing error on the play would bring Blanchette home while Hathaway would advance all the way to third. The Gophers' shortstop would pace Minnesota on Sunday, going 2-2 with a pair of singles and walking in two more at bats to reach first in all four of her plate appearances.
But unlike Saturday when the Hoosiers (19-13, 1-1) were unable to answer a two-run first inning by Minnesota, Indiana came right back with two of its own on Sunday. After Breanna Saucedo singled to lead off the bottom half of the inning, Lindsay Callanan reached first on a fielder's choice. Ashley Warrum would step in and bunt Callanan over to second before Sara Olson sent a double to left field to plate Callanan before scoring herself on a single by Indiana pitcher Morgan Melloh.
The Hoosiers would add two more runs over the next two innings when Samantha Heyman scored on a wild pitch in the second and pinch runner Kelsey Brannon came home on a single to centerfield by Meaghan Murphy. Brannon came on to run for Olson, who led off the inning with a single up the middle.
After allowing three hits to the Gophers in the opening inning, Indiana's defense would only allow four more in the final six innings behind a 12-strikeout performance by Melloh. The senior hurler improved her record to 14-12 on the season with the complete game. Melloh gave up seven hits and one earned run with three walks while also tacking on two hits at the plate to match Olson for a team high.
Sara Moulton, who tied a career high with 15 strikeouts in a complete game shutout on Saturday, took the loss for Minnesota on Sunday. The freshman would throw 2.0 innings in the loss, giving up three runs on three hits while striking out one and walking one. Alissa Koch would come in to replace Moulton in the third, giving up one run on one hit in four innings of work. Koch struck out two in the no decision without giving up a walk.
Minnesota returns to action next weekend, opening the home schedule with a pair of games against Ohio State. Continue checking Gophersports.com for updates regarding next weekend.
