University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Top Portland State, Fall to No. 4 Arizona
3/5/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Minnesota 2, Portland State 0
The Gophers picked up their third-straight win of the tournament in game one against Portland State. No runs would be scored until the seventh inning when the Gophers posted the lone two runs of the game.
Jessie Hathaway and Allie Siu started off the Gophers' seventh inning with a pair of singles. With runners on third and second Aubrey Davis ripped a shot down the third base line right toward Hathaway and Portland State's third baseman, Crysta Conn. In an attempt to dodge the ball Hathaway turned to head back to third and interfered with Conn. Hathaway was called out for interference while Aubrey Davis settled in at first base.
With two outs Malisa Barnes stepped into the box looking to knock in the go-ahead run. Barnes hit a hard single over the out-stretched glove of second baseman Carly McEachran to bring Siu across the plate. Aubrey Davis also scored on a throwing error by the Vikings, giving the Gophers all the runs they would need. After allowing the Vikings' lead off hitter Danielle Lynn to single, Gopher's pitcher Sara Moulton was able to get the next three batters to ground out to end the game.
Moulton pitched all seven innings striking out ten batters while giving up three hits and no runs.
Minnesota 1, Arizona 10
In the second game of the double header, Minnesota faced No. 4 Arizona, dropping a 10-1 contest to the hosting Wildcats.
In front of a packed house the Gophers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. At the top of the second inning Kari Dorle singled up the middle and Natalie Neal was hit by a pitch giving the Gophers two runners. Kelsey Klucas and Becca Barber would enter the game to pinch run for Dorle and Neal. With a runner in scoring position Hathaway singled to left as Klucas charged around the bases to score the Gophers' only run of the game.
The Gophers' lead was short lived as Arizona picked up five runs of its own in the bottom of the inning. After scoring two runs, the Wildcats' Brigette Del Ponte blasted a three-run home run pushing Arizona's lead to four.
Arizona added five more runs topping off its scoring with another three-run homer from the bat of Stacie Chambers.
Arizona claimed the 10-1 victory in five innings while Koch picked up the loss. The Minnesota pitcher threw all four innings, struck out one, and gave up ten runs on nine hits.
The Gopher softball team looks to get back to its winning ways tomorrow versus Idaho State in the final day of the Wildcat Invitation.
