University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Come Up Short in Nine-Inning Series Opener
5/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MINNEAPOLIS -- Eight shutout innings by Sara Moulton and the Gophers defense wouldn't be enough on Friday night as the Minnesota softball team lost a nine-inning 2-0 contest to Illinois at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium.
Moulton would go the distance for the Gophers - throwing all nine innings and striking out nine while her record now stands at 27-16 on the season. The freshman would walk just one batter in the contest, but the free pass to Illinois' Danielle Zymkowitz would prove to be the game-winning run. After eight innings of scoreless play, the Illini's second baseman would open the ninth inning with a leadoff walk. After a single by Hollie Pinchback advanced Zymkowitz to second, the second baseman would come around to score the game's first run on a double down the leftfield line by Meredith Hackett. Illinois would add a second run in the following at-bat when Jessica Hassett singled to make it 2-0.
Minnesota (30-24 overall, 8-11 Big Ten) would threaten with runners in scoring position numerous times in the series opener - including a bases-loaded scenario in the bottom of the ninth -- but never could bring around a run. In the final inning of play, Natalie Neal would lead off with a walk before being replaced by Becca Barber on the base path. Allie Siu and Malisa Barnes would each tally a single - two of Minnesota's three hits in the game - to load the bases with two outs but Illini pitcher Pepper Gay would induce Bree Blanchette to pop out to right field to end the game. Barnes proved to be Minnesota's most frequent runner as the first baseman walked in her first four trips to the plate before slapping an infield single to the left side.
Gay would go all nine innings for Illinois (27-21, 12-7) increasing her record to 20-13 in the shutout performance. The pitcher would walk eight and strikeout nine in the game.
Minnesota concludes the 2011 regular season on Saturday afternoon against the Illini. Game time is set for 1 p.m. CT.
