University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
10-4
Duke
9-5
Gophers Win Citrus Classic Finale in Extras
2/25/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MINNEAPOLIS - Seven innings were not enough for No. 22 Minnesota (10-4)in 5-1 extra inning win against first-year program Duke. Behind the strong arm of Amber Fiser, who tossed a complete game while recording nine strikeouts, Minnesota executed the eighth inning perfectly to plate four runs.
"She threw great pitches in big moments and really gave us a chance to win this game," said head coach Jamie Trachsel of Fiser's performance. "We won in different ways against different opponents this weekend. Our defense and pitching did a great job giving our offense a chance to score some runs late."
Using the international-tie breaker rule, Minnesota started the top of the eight with pinch-runner Katelyn Kemmetmueller at second. Back-to-back bunt singles by Carlie Brandt and Ellee Jensen loaded the bases. MaKenna Partain stepped up to the plate delivering a bases clearing double down the right field line to give Minnesota their first lead since the third inning. Two batters later Kendyl Lindaman sent a single up the middle scoring Partain to give the Gophers a 5-1 lead.
Minnesota was the first to put a run on the scoreboard as Partain and Danielle Parlich executed a double steal. Partain scored after the throw to second to retire Parlich was not in time.
Duke answered right back in the bottom of the third following a one-out walk, leadoff hitter Jameson Kavel found the gap in right center driving in a run to tie the game at 1-1.
The run did not phase a poised Fiser, retiring five of the next ten batters via the strikeout.
"I went out there today and knew we wanted to get this last win throwing one pitch at a time focusing on what I could control," said Fiser.
In a strong pitcher's duel game, Fiser and Duke starter Katherine Huey combined to just allow four hits through seven innings of play.
Duke gave the Minnesota defense one last test, loading the bases in the bottom of the eighth with one out. Fiser won the battle against Kavel recording a strikeout for the second out. With the tying run at the plate, Fiser forced a grounder over to third as Parlich stepped on the bag for the third out.
Up Next
Minnesota heads west to San Diego, Calif. as they will play five games over the span of three days at the San Diego Classic.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Fiser, Amber (7-2)
L: Katherine Huey (5-2)
Batting:
2B: Partain, MaKenna 1
RBI: Partain, MaKenna 3 ; Lindaman, Kendyl 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Partain, MaKenna 2 ; Kemmetmueller, Katelyn 1 ; Brandt, Carlie 1 ; Jensen, Ellee 1
SB: Partain, MaKenna 2 ; Parlich, Danielle 1
Batting:
2B: Jameson Kavel 1
RBI: Jameson Kavel 1
SH: Jameson Kavel 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Dominique Salinas 1
