University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Fall 2-0 to Split With Penn State
4/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota softball team fell 2-0 to Penn State on Sunday morning at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium to split a two-game series with the Nittany Lions.
Minnesota (25-18 overall, 3-5 Big Ten) allowed a pair of runs in the top of the first inning when Kailyn Johnson scored on an error and Kasie Hatfield came home on a single by Lauren Yao in the next at-bat. But Minnesota couldn't piece together an offensive attack to match its conference opponent on Sunday. Sophomore shortstop Jessie Hathaway went 3-for-3 from the plate to pace Minnesota, which outhit Penn State 8-4 as a team. But Minnesota was unable to capitalize on the hits, stranding nine runners on base to the Nittany Lions' four.
For Penn State (23-17, 5-5), Jackie Hill picked up the shutout, striking out three and walking none in seven innings of work. The redshirt senior improved her record to 14-9 while Sara Moulton took the loss for Minnesota after throwing all seven innings. The Gophers' freshman pitcher struck out nine and walked just one batter.
The Gophers, who topped Penn State 1-0 on Saturday, return to action this week with a pair of Big Ten road series. Minnesota opens the stretch on Wednesday at Wisconsin before competing in a two-game series at Purdue this weekend.
