University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
North Carolina State
Gophers Off To Program Best Start
2/19/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The No. 13/13 University of Minnesota Gophers are off to their best start in program history. They topped North Carolina State 7-1 this afternoon and move to 9-0 on the season.
The Gophers jumped out to a big start again in the first inning. The Wolfpack put their first two runners on base on a wild pitch and a bunt single but did no damage. Sara Groenewegen stayed dominant in the circle shutting them down with a four strikeout inning.
As the designated home team the Gophers scored four runs on four hits in the bottom of the inning. Sam Macken, Danielle Parlich and Maddie Houlihan all got hits to start off the frame with Houlihan knocking in two runs.
Sydney Dwyer stepped into the box later and smashed a home run to put two more runs on the board. She is off to a great start this season hitting a .462 with five doubles and one home run.
After a couple quick innings Taylor Chell left her mark on the game in the bottom of the fourth. Stepping in as a pinch hitter with one runner on base Chell launched her first hit of the season for a home run to put Minnesota up 6-0.
NC State scored their lone run in the top of the sixth inning with a hard hit RBI double to right center.
Dani Wagner put up the Gophers final run in the sixth inning with her second home run in as many days. Wagner hit a team leading .462 this weekend with one double, two home runs, five RBIs and had a 1.000 slugging percentage.
Groenewegen pitched five innings and only allowed one hit while striking out nine batters. She moves to 5-0 on the season with a 0.72 ERA and 40 strikeouts. Carlie Brandt pitched the final two innings and had two strikeouts while only allowing two hits and one run.
The Maroon and Gold will look to keep momentum going at the Fresno State Tournament next weekend. They will play UC Davis twice and Fresno State, Cal Poly and Idaho State once.
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