University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Illinois
Gophers Reach 30 Wins For Seventh Straight Season
4/2/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Tickets: Minnesota hosts 16 of its next 18 games at home!
Dani Wagner lifted a two run home run in the seventh and Sara Groenewegen pitched a complete game shutout as the No. 6/6 University of Minnesota Gophers secured another B1G series this afternoon. They topped the University of Illinois 4-0.
Groenewegen fired in 11 strikeouts. She has hit double-digit strikeouts five times this season and has not allowed an earned run in her last six starts. She is 15-2 with a 0.50 ERA and 136 strikeouts this season.
The Gophers came out aggressive. Sam Macken attacked the first pitch she saw for a double off the center field wall. She has hit 11 doubles this season. Maddie Houlihan brought her home with a single that took a nice bounce into right field.
Groenewegen set the tone early. She struck out five out of the first six batters she faced. The offense struck again in the top of the third. Wagner dropped a lead off bunt to third and was brought home in the form of a Danielle Parlich RBI double. Parlich has a team leading 12 doubles this season. As a team the Gophers already have 63 doubles this season.
In the bottom of the third Illinois put runners on for the first time in the game but Parlich got under a ball in foul territory to get out of the inning.
The Maroon and Gold threatened again in the fourth putting runners on second and third with no outs. The Illini made a play at home and turned a double play right after to get out without allowing any damage.
The Illini's best opportunity of the game came in the bottom of the sixth. They loaded the bases with one out on a single, a double and a walk. Parlich fielded a grounder and tossed home for the second out and Sydney Dwyer recorded an unassisted force at first for the third to get out of the jam.
Dwyer was walked in four pitches to start the seventh. Two batters later Wagner stepped into the box and launched her fourth home run of the season over the wall in center. Wagner is one of five Gophers hitting .388 or higher this season.
Groenewegen recorded two more strikeouts including one for the final out to seal the victory in the bottom of the seventh. The Gophers have now hit the 30 win mark in seven straight seasons. They are 30-3 with a 5-1 Big Ten record.
After 33 games on the road the Gophers return home this Tuesday for a doubleheader against South Dakota beginning at 4 p.m.
Get Your Tickets Today!
There are less than 30 season tickets left for purchase. Don't miss out on a price discount of 61 percent compared to single game pricing, reserved chairback seating and priority to purchase postseason tickets. Single game tickets are now on sale as well. Call 1-800-U-GOPHER to purchase yours today!
Following the Gophers?
Don't forget to follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all season long to keep up with the latest news, features, videos and more!
