University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
(17/15) Nebraska
Gophers Knock Off Nebraska, 7-2
3/21/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 21, 2014
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LINCOLN, Neb. - The No. 16/19 Minnesota softball team opened its Big Ten schedule with a bang Friday night, defeating No. 17/15 Nebraska at Bowlin Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., 7-2. With the victory, the Gophers improved to a program-best 23-3 overall and 1-0 in conference play. The Maroon and Gold also upped its record against ranked foes to 3-1.
Senior Sara Moulton tossed 5.2 innings and struck out four batters to move to 16-2 on the season and record her career win total to a school-record 101. Cornhusker starter Tatum Edwards fell to 9-6 on the season and lost for the first time in her four-year career at home, falling to 19-1.
Tyler Walker led off the game by reaching for the first of four times on the night with a walk. Erica Meyer doubled the junior shortstop to third before she scored when a pickoff attempt was mishandled by third baseman MJ Knighten.
The Huskers answered in the third inning by scoring on a fielder's choice and an RBI single, but could only quell Minnesota's offense until the fifth inning, when Kaitlyn Richardson put the Gophers back on top with a two-RBI single that brought home Kayla Wenner from third base and Walker from second.
Taylor LeMay notched an RBI single and Walker added an RBI double in the sixth inning to pad Minnesota's lead, making it a 5-2 game. Nebraska threatened in the bottom of the frame with runners on second and third with two outs, but Sara Groenewegen entered the game and got the last out.
The Gophers tacked on another pair of runs in the seventh and Groenewegen went on to the secure the win, as well as her second save of the season.
The victory moved the Gophers all-time record against the Huskers to 9-16 with a 4-3 ledger since Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2012.
The teams will wrap up their series Saturday and Sunday in Lincoln. Games both days will begin at 1 p.m.
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