University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
22-14, 0
Iowa
19-19, 0
Gophers Shutout Iowa in Series Opener, 8-0
4/12/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
IOWA CITY, Iowa - In the fastest game of the season, one hour and 25 minutes to be exact, the Gophers' offense behind the strong arm of sophomore Amber Fiser eased their way past Iowa in the series opener. A three-run second and sixth inning aided Minnesota (22-14, 5-3 Big Ten) to an 8-0 victory Thursday night over Iowa (19-19, 5-6 Big Ten).
"I just had to focus on one pitch at a time and I knew they would keep us on our toes," said Fiser of the shutout performance. "It honestly felt great to be back home and having all of the support there."
A dangerous Kendyl Lindaman went 2-for-4 including her 14th home run of the season that drove in three runs. Sophomore Carlie Brandt and freshman Ellee Jensen both went 2-for-3 with two runs respectively while Brandt added a pair of RBI.
Minnesota warmed up the bats early putting up a crooked number in the second inning. Recording her first double of the year, Kaylen Krueger drove in the game's first run scoring Dani Wagner who led off the inning with a walk. Two batters later, Brandt traded places with Krueger on a duck snort to left. Jensen's speed capped off the three-run inning stealing second base, the throw down was dropped by the Iowa shortstop allowing Brandt to score from third.
Fiser continued to be untouchable allowing just two hits in the ball game. A leadoff double in the fourth would be the only Hawkeye to advance past first. In her sixth shutout of the year, the Van Horne, Iowa native struck out six while walking one improving to 15-8 in the circle.
Lindaman extended the Minnesota lead with her fifth home run in eight games sending a two-run shot over the left field wall to make it 5-0 through four and a half.
In the sixth, the Minnesota offense continued to put on a clinic at the plate scoring three runs all with two outs. Brandt recorded a RBI double driving in Danielle Parlich who led off the inning with a single. Back-to-back RBI singles by MaKenna Partain and Lindaman gave the Gophers the 8-0 lead the needed for the shortened game victory.
Up Next
Minnesota and Iowa continue the Big Ten series on Friday, April 12 at Pear Field. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Fiser, Amber (15-8)
L: Doocy (12-9)
Batting:
2B: Krueger, Kaylen 1 ; Brandt, Carlie 1
HR: Lindaman, Kendyl 1
RBI: Partain, MaKenna 1 ; Lindaman, Kendyl 3 ; Krueger, Kaylen 1 ; Brandt, Carlie 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Lindaman, Kendyl 1 ; Wagner, Dani 1 ; Parlich, Danielle 1 ; Krueger, Kaylen 1 ; Brandt, Carlie 2 ; Jensen, Ellee 2
SB: Wagner, Dani 1 ; Parlich, Danielle 1 ; Jensen, Ellee 1
HBP: Partain, MaKenna 1
Batting:
2B: Kurtz 1
