University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Iowa
Gophers End Regular Season Winning 11 Straight
5/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
2016 Big Tournament Bracket
The No. 23/19 University of Minnesota Gophers close out the regular season on an 11-game win streak after a 12-0 win in five innings over Iowa this afternoon.
In that 11-game win streak the Gophers have outscored their opponents 108-18 with six run rule victories.
"I thought we played good ball this weekend. We are excited to get back to work and get ready for the postseason," head coach Jessica Allister said. "You want to be playing your best softball this time of year and that is what we are working towards doing."
Danielle Parlich and Maddie Houlihan each went 3-4 in the win while Sara Groenewegen and Nikki Anderson combined for the two-hit shutout in the circle.
The Maroon and Gold were aggressive going after early pitches right away in the game and jumped out to a 7-0 lead after the top of the first recording seven hits while being helped by two Hawkeye errors.
Sam Macken sneaked a bunt single down on the first pitch of the game and Danielle Parlich dropped a single down the first base line with Macken reaching third on an error. They were both brought in by a Sara Groenewegen double to left field. She has 37 RBI with seven doubles this season.
Houlihan kept her impressive stretch going started by a single in the first inning. On the following play she stole second with Iowa committing an error trying to get her out allowing Groenewegenn to come home.
Later in the inning Sydney Dwyer brought in a run with the bases loaded on an RBI single to right field. Kayla Wenner came sprinting home on a wild pitch to score right after.
Sydney Fabian knocked in the Gophers sixth run with a single up the middle and Parlich brought in a run with her second single in the inning.
The majority of the game slowed down after the wild first inning. The Gophers had another chance to score in the fourth when Houlihan hit a two out double and advanced to third on a passed ball. Palkovich was walked and stole second but Minnesota could not take advantage.
Groenewegen pitched the first four innings striking out seven batters while only giving up two hits. In the top of the fifth inning the Gophers offense caught fire again.
LeMay hit a fielder's choice RBI to bring in a run and finished the weekend with 10 RBI. Houlihan came up with the bases loaded later and hit her second double of the day to score two runners. She has 11 doubles on the season with 43 RBI. She is a big reason the Gophers have been on a roll hitting .800 the past two weekends with 16 hits, four doubles and four homers.
Palkovich dropped a single to center field recording two RBI on the play. She has 31 RBI on the year.
Anderson came in to finish off the run rule victory striking out a batter while not allowing a hit. Groenewegen picked up the win moving to 27-5 with a 1.88 ERA. She is 13-1 in B1G play.
The Gophers finish the regular season 38-12 overall and 19-3 in the Big Ten. They will be the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten Tournament next weekend held at Penn State. They will play Friday at 1:30 p.m. against the winner of Illinois and Michigan State.
To find out what day and times the Gophers will be playing this postseason and more follow us on Twitter @GopherSoftball or like us on Facebook at Minnesota Softball.
