University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Virginia Tech
Groenewegen Tosses No-Hitter in Win
2/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Sara Groenewegen tossed her fourth career no-hitter as the Gophers topped Virginia Tech 8-0 in five innings to kick off their weekend at the first ever softball ACC/B1G Challenge.
Groenewegen recorded 10 strikeouts and was just one walk away from throwing a perfect game. The Gophers had 10 hits on the day and went on a roll scoring five runs in the third inning led by Paige Palkovich's three shot home run.
Sam Macken hit her first of two doubles to lead off the game and now has five doubles already this season. Macken moved to third on a Parlich ground out and went home on a Groenwegen sacrifice fly. Two strikeouts and a pop forced a quick three up, three down in the bottom of the inning.
Maddie Houlihan opened the second with a single. On the next pitch she stole second diving into the base and quickly got up on a bad throw to advance to third. Houlihan would later score to put Minnesota up 2-0.
Macken started the third inning with another double. Parlich brought her home with a single up the middle. Groenewegen reached base on an error and had Isham come in to pinch run. With two runners on Palkovich came up to bat, took the first pitch and ripped it to left field for the home run.
Later in the inning Sydney Fabian drove a ball up the middle of the field for an RBI single bringing in Houlihan.
In the bottom of the third Minnesota's outfield made a couple of nice plays. Isham trekked down a ball in right and Palkovich stayed focused on a sun ball in center field to come down with it.
Groenewegen doubled early in the fourth inning and advanced to third from a Taylor LeMay single. Houlihan hit an RBI single to bring her home for the Gophers eighth and final run. After no run in the top fifth, Groenewegen struck out the last two batters in the bottom of the fifth to seal the victory.
Eight Gophers had hits in the game with Macken and Houlihan both recording two. They both had two runs in the game as well.
Minnesota gets back after it tomorrow taking on Virginia Tech at 1:30 p.m. and No. 13/15 Florida State at 6:30 p.m. The Florida State game will be aired on ESPN 3. Click here for the link to watch.
