University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
UMass
Gophers Win 12-0 After 4-1 Loss
3/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The No. 19/17 University of Minnesota Gophers bounced back to a 12-0 win in five innings over UMass this evening after taking a 4-1 loss to Robert Morris.
Sam Macken hit five RBI and another double this evening against UMass. She is currently tied for first in the nation with doubles per game and first on the team with 21 RBI. Kayla Wenner went 2-2 against UMass and had the Gophers lone hit against Robert Morris.
The Maroon and Gold are on the start of their spring break trip in Boca Raton, Fla. They continue tomorrow with a game against Mercer at 2:45 p.m. and take on host FAU at 7:15 p.m.
First Game: Robert Morris 4, Minnesota 1
Robert Morris scored two runs in the top third inning to take the lead and cushioned it to 4-0 going into the bottom of the sixth.
Kylie Stober got the start in the circle and looked strong despite taking the loss firing in five strikeouts while giving up three hits and two runs in 3.1 innings of work. She took the loss and drops to 2-2 on the seaon.
Nikki Anderson pitched the final 3.2 innings with two strikeouts while giving up six hits and two runs.
The Gophers best chance at climbing back into the game came in the bottom of the sixth inning. Wenner broke up a no hitter with a single up the middle. She reached second as Parlich got on base after an error. Both runners advanced on a Taylor LeMay ground out and again on a Sara Groenewegen RBI ground out.
Paige Palkovich came to the plate with two outs and launched a moon ball back toward the left field wall but the left fielder was able to get underneath for the third out haulting the Gophers momentum.
Second Game: Minnesota 12, UMass 0 (Five Innings)
Minnesota put up six hits scoring six runs in the second inning as they went on to win 12-0 over UMass.
Wenner scored a run right away in the top of the first as LeMay recorded her first of two RBI in the game.
Macken recorded the first two of her five RBI in the game with a single down the right field line to bring in Maddie Houlihan and Sydney Dwyer. Wenner followed that up with a triple to left center that brought in two runs.
Danielle Parlich and Taylor LeMay each hit RBI-singles to cap off the great inning.
With Houlihan, Dwyer and Sydney Fabian on Macken came to the plate and drilled a double to center field to clear the bases.
In the fourth inning Groenewegen was walked to lead off the inning and Palkovich followed up with a double. Brandi McGregor came in to pinch hit and was walked. Fabian was again walked to bring in a run. Palkovich would score the final run of the day for the Gophers sliding home after a wild pitch.
Groenewegen improves to 9-3 on the season after pitching a three inning win. She only gave up one hit while striking out six batters. She is currently the NCAA active career strikeout leader. Stober finished off the last two innings and did not allow a hit.
