University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Sweeps St. Cloud State in First Fall Doubleheader
9/30/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Sept. 30, 2011
The University of Minnesota softball team opened up its fall schedule Friday night with a pair of victories over St. Cloud State at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium.
Game 1
The Gophers jumped out to an early lead over the Huskies when Dannie Skrove crushed a ball to the centerfield wall for a two-RBI double in the first inning. Another run would be added in the second on a Tyler Walker shot down the right field line, which enabled Erika Smyth to score.
The Maroon and Gold would put the game nearly out of reach as Kaitlyn Richardson drove Walker in on a line drive down the left field line. Next up was Kari Dorle, who followed Richardson's hit with a RBI double to make the score 5-0.
Walker and Dorle combined for five of the team's nine hits as the freshman infielder went 3-for-3 and the veteran catcher went 2-for-3.
Last year's Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Sara Moulton, pitched a hitless first four innings and tallied eight strikeouts. The Gophers would then put freshman Kelsey Kimminau in the circle to pitch the final three innings.
Minnesota would end up allowing a trio of runs throughout the last three innings, but they would hold on for a 5-3 victory.
Game 2
After allowing St. Cloud State to claim a 4-2 lead in the top of the sixth, the Golden Gophers surged back in the bottom of the inning to score five runs of their own.
The Maroon and Gold began the scoring frenzy when Kelsey Klucas slid across home plate on a Huskies wild pitch. SCSU's attempt to get Klucas out resulted in the catcher overthrowing the pitcher covering the plate, which allowed Kristen Coonrod to sneak another run in for the Gophers.
Minnesota would add another run on an Erica Meyer line drive to centerfield and then scored two more on a Richardson double that bounced off the centerfield wall.
The Golden Gophers tallied a total of 12 hits and would end up winning the game 7-4.
Moulton put together another impressive pitching performance as she once again held the Huskies hitless while striking out four batters.
"I was pleased with tonight's performances," said head coach Jessica Allister. "The newcomers came out with a few jitters at first, but they settled down and put together some good performances while our returners also had an impressive night. Sara Moulton had a great night in the circle, and I was encouraged by the way Kelsey Kimminau pitched."
Minnesota returns to action on Saturday, October 8 as it hosts North Dakota State University for their last fall doubleheader matchup. Even though the Gophers pulled out a pair of wins versus St. Cloud State, Coach Allister still hopes to see improvements in next week's games with the Bison.
"Our infield has the potential to be really, really good, so I would like to see our defense improve overall. I also want to see our pitchers dance around the zone a little bit more. Offensively, we left too many runners on base tonight, so we need to work clutch hitting to get those runners in."
First pitch for the first game in the doubleheader versus NDSU is slated for 1 p.m. with the second game to follow.
