University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Illinois
Gophers Edge Illini for Series Sweep
3/22/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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March 22, 2015
URBANA, Ill. - The No. 15 Minnesota softball team extended its school-record win streak to 13 games with a 3-2 win over Illinois at Eichelberger Field in Urbana, Ill. Sunday afternoon. The Gophers' weekend sweep of the Fighting Illini improved their record to 27-4 on the season with a 3-0 mark in the Big Ten.
The victory gave Minnesota a 12-0 record in true road games this season.
The Maroon and Gold struck first for the second time in as many days in the second inning. After Sara Groenewegen reached base, Ellie Cowger pinch ran and stole second, setting the stage for a Danielle Parlich RBI single to right field. The scoring continued when a Tyler Walker plated two by reaching base on an error by Illinois' shortstop.
The Illini got one run back in the bottom of the inning with a Jess Perkins home run and made it 3-2 in the fourth with a solo shot by Ruby Rivera.
After Kylie Stober pitched 1.2 innings of relief, Nikki Anderson came in to close out the game by tossing 2.1 scoreless frames. Illinois' threatened in the sixth inning when Rivera hit a one-out double to left field, but a diving stop by Danielle Parlich that turned into an out and an Anderson strikeout got the Gophers out of danger.
Anderson improved to 5-1 by earning the victory. Minnesota improved to 15-17 all-time against the Illini, including 11-3 under fifth-year head coach Jessica Allister.
The Gophers will travel to Nebraska to continue conference competition next week before opening their home slate with a series against No. 4 Michigan.
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