University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Northwestern
Gophers Smack Four Home Runs in Win
4/1/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The No. 21/22 University of Minnesota Gophers smacked four home runs en route to a 16-0 victory in five innings over the Northwestern Wildcats this afternoon.
Minnesota moves to 23-9 this season with a 4-0 Big Ten record. They will now play a doubleheader on Sunday starting at 11 a.m. with no game tomorrow.
The Gophers put their stamp on the game early scoring four runs in the top of the first. The Gophers have been strong with two outs on the board all season and did it again this afternoon when Sara Groenewegen came to the plate with a runner on base and two outs. She sailed her fifth home run of the season way past the center field wall on a 2-1 count.
Maddie Houlihan came to the plate next and was walked. Kayla Wenner followed hitting a soaring home run over right for her second of the season to score two more runs.
The Wildcats threatened to bounce back placing their first two runners on base in the bottom of the inning but Groenewegen recovered in the circle by striking out the next three batters.
The Maroon and Gold put a considerable distance on their lead scoring seven runs on five hits in the top of the second inning.
After Sydney Fabian was hit by a pitch and Danielle Parlich drilled her second single of the game, Taylor LeMay stepped up and recorded her first of four RBI in the game with a single to left.
Groenewegen brought in two runs with a high chopper of a single right up the middle. She helped her own cause in a big way going 2-2 with four RBI. Since conference play has started Groenewegen has upped her batting average from .266 to .324 this season.
Maddie Houlihan singled to right field and later stole second for her fourth steal of the season. Wenner was walked right after loading the bases. The Wildcats forced their second out of the inning but Sydney Dwyer quickly put the momentum right back in the Gophers favor.
After taking a first pitch ball, Dwyer got the pitch she wanted and launched a grand slam over the left field wall for her third home run of the season.
Minnesota retired the side in order in the second inning and the third inning went scoreless. The Gophers offense was far from done though adding five more runs in the fourth inning.
With the help of two hit by pitches and a walk the Gophers loaded the bases with just one out early in the inning. Sam Macken notched her team leading RBI total to 27 with a bases loaded walk. Parlich helped bring in another run with a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Jessie Isham.
LeMay stepped into the box next and launched her third home run of the season to score three runs.
The Wildcats loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning but Groenewegen was able to get out of the jam without allowing a run. Groenewegen has not given up an earned run in four appearances now. She improves to 17-4 with the win. She finished with six strikeouts while only giving up two hits.
Kylie Stober finished off the game in the circle forcing a three up, three down in just nine total pitches while striking out one batter.
Schedule Note Reminder: The Gophers will now play a doubleheader on Sunday starting at 11 a.m. with no game tomorrow.
