University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Colorado State
Gophers Rally for 8-5 Triumph Over CSU
2/22/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
TEMPE, Ariz. - The No. 15/14 Minnesota softball team fell behind by four runs in its Diamond Devil Invitational finale against Colorado State Sunday, but stormed back the secure an 8-5 win in Tempe, Ariz. The Gophers finished the weekend with a perfect 5-0 record and are now 13-1 on the season.
The game was the longest of the season thus far for Minnesota at two fours, 47 minutes.
After the Gophers pulled ahead, 1-0, in the first on a Kaitlyn Richardson sacrifice fly, CSU answered by posting five runs in the second inning.
Minnesota began its rally in the third inning by loading the bases for Hannah Granger, who plated two runs on a fielder's choice play. The Gophers could not add more runs in the frame.
Sydney Fabian knotted the game in the sixth by taking a Holly Reinke offering and sending it over the right field fence for a two-run homer. The home run was Fabian's third of the season and accounted for her ninth and tenth runs batted in for the season.
The Rams loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth, but a diving catch by Tyler Walker at shortstop ended the threat. Walker then played hero in the seventh as the Gophers loaded the bases with two outs. The San Jose, Calif. native singled to right field and reached third on an error, clearing the bases and giving Minnesota a three-run lead.
Sara Groenewegen, who moved to 7-1 by pitching 5.1 innings in relief, closed the game out with a quick seventh inning. She finished with 11 strikeouts.
The Gophers will travel to Orlando, Fla. next week for five games at the Citrus Classic.
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