University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
6-4
Kentucky
5-3
Offense Leads Gophers in Pair of Wins
2/23/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
ORLANDO, Fla. - Freshman Alex Velazquez had a magical day at the ESPN Wide World Of Sport Complex as her first collegiate hit drove in Minnesota's winning runs to defeat No. 23 Kentucky, 2-1. In game two, Danielle Parlich's 3-for-5 day drove in four of the Gophers 13 runs against South Alabama.
Sophomore MaKenna Partain in the leadoff spot was 4-for-7 on the day that included a homerun, three RBI and three runs scored.
Game one | No. 22 Minnesota 2, No. 23 Kentucky 1
A top-25 matchup quickly turned into a pitchers dual as Minnesota starter Amber Fiser and Kentucky starter Erin Rethlake each gave up three hits apiece.
Working out of a jam in the top of the first, Minnesota escaped damage from a Wildcat leadoff double as Carlie Brandt snagged a liner to then toss it over to Parlich at third to double off the runner for the third out.
That didn't stop Kentucky from striking first as the Wildcats strung together a run on three hits in their half of the third.
A half inning later Kendyl Lindaman tallied a leadoff single, starting the Gophers rally. A pair of walks later to Maddie Houlihan and Carlie Brandt loaded up the bases for pinch-hitter Alex Velazquez. Velazquez picked the right time to record her first collegiate hit as she snuck a ball just inside the right field line to give the Gophers the only runs needed for the win.
The Gophers had to work out of one more jam before securing the win. A leadoff walk to Kentucky's Bailey Vick tested the Gophers defense as she worked her way around the bases with a stolen base and a ground out. With the tying run at third, Fiser forced three-hitter Katie Reed into a ground ball back to the mound as the Gophers turned a 1-3-2, Fiser to Sydney Dwyer to Lindaman, double play to end the top of the sixth.
Game two | No. 22 Minnesota 13, South Alabama 3
It didn't take long for the bats to get going in game two as Partain sent the second pitch of the game over the right field fence.
South Alabama tied the ball game back up in the second as Abby Krzywiecki homered to lead off the Jaguar half of the second.
The top of the Gopher order continued their hot streak at the plate. Dwyer, the cleanup hitter, drove in a pair of runs in the third, while the offensive efficiency continued in the fourth with a RBI single from Parlich and a RBI sacrifice fly from Lindaman.
South Alabama sent eight hitters to the plate in their half of the fourth, catching on to starter Amber Fiser the Jaguars strung together four hits to plate a pair of runs cutting the Minnesota lead to 5-3. Fiser tossing four innings of work struck out four of the 20 batters faced.
The flood gates finally opened up in the fifth as Minnesota sent all nine hitters to the plate. Highlighting the five-run inning was a two RBI single up the middle by Partain and two RBI double inside the right field line by Parlich.
Brandt entered the circle in the fifth to close out the ball game. The sophomore utility player surrender just one hit to the 11 batters faced while picking up a save.
In the seventh, the Gophers added three more courtesy runs with two of those coming on a Lindaman home run ball that left the park quick of the left center wall.
UP NEXT
Action at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex continues tomorrow at 9 a.m. CT for the Gophers as they take on Bradley before squaring off against Lehigh.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Fiser, Amber (4-2)
L: Erin Rethlake (2-2)
Batting:
2B: Bailey Vick 1
RBI: Erin Rethlake 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Brooklin Hinz 1
SB: Bailey Vick 1
Batting:
2B: Velazquez, Alex 1
RBI: Velazquez, Alex 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Dwyer, Sydney 1 ; Houlihan, Maddie 1
SB: Houlihan, Maddie 1
