University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
19-13, 2-2
Illinois
22-12, 3-3
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Minnesota | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | X | 6 | 7 | 3 |
Fiser Silences Illinois with No-Hitter
3/30/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Box Score | Photo Gallery 1 | Photo Gallery 2
MINNEAPOLIS - It was a sweet homecoming for Minnesota softball, returning to Jane Sage Cowles Stadium following a 31 game road trip. The Gophers gave the home crowd a show as sophomore Amber Fiser tossed 13 scoreless innings while collecting her first collegiate no-hitter. The sophomore right-hander led Minnesota (20-13, 3-2 B1G) to a pair of 6-0 wins over Illinois (22-13, 3-4 B1G) Friday afternoon.
"I felt pretty good today and I knew that I had to just go in there right after the batters," said Fiser of her performance. "They put the ball in play and I had confidence in the defense behind me. Knowing it was a home game we wanted to have a lot of fun, go out there and show them what Minnesota softball is all about."
Game 1 | Minnesota 6, Illinois 0
There was no better time to throw the 25th no-hitter in Minnesota softball history than in the home opener on a beautiful day at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium. Shining as bright as the sun hovering over Minneapolis, Fiser allowed just one walk while striking out 10 Illinois hitters.
Minnesota's offense did what it needed to do at the plate to jump out to a 4-0 lead. Driving in the first run of the game was Danielle Parlich, singling through the left side to score freshman Ellee Jensen. After drawing a walk in the first, Kendyl Lindaman went right back to what she does best at home. The sophomore catcher launched a three-run home run down the left field line that would have cleared the fence more had it not hit the indoor football facility wall behind left field.
The Gophers added a cushion to their lead plating a run in the fourth and fifth. Highlight the stretch was Maddie Houlihan's second home run of the year that led off the Gophers' fifth inning.
In the sixth, Illinois saw their best scoring chance as the bases were loaded following a pair of Minnesota errors and a fielder's choice. Wasting no time, Fiser made the Illinois scoring chance disappear with a pair of strikeouts to end the inning.
In the seventh, Fiser recorded back-to-back strikeouts to close out the inning for the third straight time in the game securing the victory.
Game 2 | Minnesota 6, Illinois 0
The nightcap was no different from game one as Fiser collected her second win of the day extending her scoreless innings streak to 18.
Minnesota took an early 2-0 lead with runs in the first two innings. Houlihan's RBI single scored MaKenna Partain before Parlich added her third RBI of the day scoring Jensen.
Illinois collected their first hit against Fiser in the third inning with a one-out double. The Gophers defense in lock down mode used a pair of ground balls to get out of the inning.
Senior outfielder Dani Wagner highlighted her 3-for-4 day beginning the fifth with a solo home run to left field. The next inning Wagner put on the hurt collecting her second double of the game to score a pair before Carlie Brandt brought home the Gophers' sixth run home with a single up the middle plating Wagner.
Brandt entered into the circle in the seventh to seal the deal using eight pitches on three ground outs to conclude the day.
Up Next
Minnesota and Illinois wrap up the Big Ten series on Sunday, April 1 at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium beginning at noon. Fans can purchase single-game tickets by clicking here.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Fiser, Amber (13-7)
L: Emily Oestreich (12-6)
Base Running:
HBP: Carly Thomas 1
Batting:
2B: Partain, MaKenna 1 ; Arneson, Allie 1
HR: Lindaman, Kendyl 1 ; Houlihan, Maddie 1
RBI: Parlich, Danielle 2 ; Lindaman, Kendyl 3 ; Houlihan, Maddie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Partain, MaKenna 1 ; Parlich, Danielle 1 ; Lindaman, Kendyl 1 ; Houlihan, Maddie 1 ; Brandt, Carlie 1 ; Jensen, Ellee 1
HBP: Partain, MaKenna 1 ; Parlich, Danielle 1 ; Houlihan, Maddie 1
