University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Louisiana Tech
Gophers Open NCAA Tournament With 11-3 Victory
5/19/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The No. 1/3 University of Minnesota Gophers started the NCAA Tournament with an 11-3 run-rule victory over Louisiana Tech this afternoon. Maddie Houlihan and MaKenna Partain combined to go 6-6 with eight RBIs in the heart of the order.
The Maroon and Gold had a flood of support back in the twin cities. Governor Mark Dayton declared today "National Number One Softball Team Minnesota Gophers Day" in Minnesota.
Gov. Dayton Declares "National Number One Softball Team Minnesota Gophers Day" in MN https://t.co/jhsFt7YtWF #WinAnyway @GopherSoftball pic.twitter.com/FNALWqCFSj
-- Governor Mark Dayton (@GovMarkDayton) May 19, 2017
Sara Groenewegen got the nod in the circle to start the game and quickly sat down La Tech in order. The Gophers came out firing in the bottom of the inning. Sam Macken led off with a single and Kendyl Lindaman later drilled a double.
Houlihan knocked in the first run of the game with a single to center. Partain followed with a double to left center scoring two more.
@gophersoftball post game press conference @tuscregionql #roadtothewcws https://t.co/ERTkLr0e1K
-- TuscaloosaRegional (@TuscRegional) May 19, 2017
Groenewegen again quickly sat down La Tech and Minnesota stayed hot in the bottom of the second. Houlihan drove in two more runs and Partain followed by ripping an RBI single through the left side. Groenewegen helped her own cause later with a single to center that made it 8-0 in favor of the Gophers.
Amber Fiser came in to pitch in the third and fourth innings. La Tech got on the board with the help of an error in the third but the Gophers kept their foot on the pedal with another three run frame. It was again the duo of Houlihan and Partain who were responsible for bringing in the runs.
The fourth inning went scoreless. La Tech put up two runs in the fifth on a pair of errors but Minnesota calmed down to record the final out and sustain the run-rule.
Groenewegen did not allow a hit and struck out two. She did not record enough innings to get the victory. Fiser got credit for the win and is now 14-0 on the season. Finucane came in to pitch for the final inning.
After this afternoon's victory the Gophers will play Alabama at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow. It will be on an ESPN network channel but that has not been determined yet.
Game Day Central
Make sure to follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay updated throughout the week leading up to the NCAA Tournament.
Full Weekend Schedule:
Friday, May 19th - Game #1: Minnesota 11, La Tech 3
Friday, May 19th - Game #2: Albany vs. Alabama 4:00pm CT
Saturday, May 20th - Game #3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 Winner 11:30 a.m. CT
Saturday, May 20th - Game #4: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser 2:00pm
Saturday, May 20th - Game #5: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 winner 4:30pm CT
Sunday, May 21st - Game #6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 5 winner 1:30pm CT
Sunday, May 21st - Game #7 (If Necessary): 4:00pm CT
