University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
34-14
North Dakota State
27-17
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Brandt, Carlie (7-2)
L: KK Leddy (6-7)
S: Smith, Sydney (1)
Batting:
2B: Maddie Hansen 1
RBI: Bre Beatty 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Madyson Camacho 1
Batting:
2B: Arneson, Allie 1
HR: Houlihan, Maddie 1
RBI: Houlihan, Maddie 4 ; Dwyer, Sydney 1 ; Arneson, Allie 1
SH: Jensen, Ellee 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lindaman, Kendyl 2 ; Partain, MaKenna 1 ; Houlihan, Maddie 1 ; Parlich, Danielle 1 ; Jensen, Ellee 1
SB: Houlihan, Maddie 1
HBP: Brandt, Carlie 1
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Balanced Offensive Attack Drives Gophers Past NDSU
5/1/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MINNEAPOLIS - One through nine, the Gophers' offense used a balanced attack en route to a doubleheader sweep against North Dakota State Tuesday evening at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium. A close-knit pitcher's duel in the opener saw Minnesota (34-14) come out on top before Maddie Houlihan's four RBI in game two led to a sweep of NDSU (27-17) by scores of 3-0 and 6-1.
"I thought we grinded and it's been a strong push the last few weeks," said head coach Jamie Trachsel. "I knew it would be a mental test and I thought we handled it well. We stayed tough and kept doing our job in the circle, defensively and found ways to outscore our opponents."
At the plate, Houlihan went 4-for-7 while driving in six of the nine runs including a double and a home run. Freshman Ellee Jensen was a perfect 5-for-5 legging out five infield singles while crossing the plate twice.
Game one | #RV/21 Minnesota 3, NDSU 0
A battle of the arms in the circle, game one of the doubleheader did not disappoint as Minnesota starter Amber Fiser and NDSU's Jacquelyn Sertic battled a shutout through the opening four frames.
The Minnesota bats broke through in the fifth plating three runs all with two outs in the fifth inning.. With runners at first and second Houlihan drove in her first two runs of the evening. A two-out double to leftfield scored Jensen and Lindaman before Sydney Dwyer brought in Houlihan the next at-bat.
Fiser shut down the Bison offense in the final two frames to preserve the lead. Collecting her 24th win of the season, Fiser allowed one walk and one hit while striking out four.
Game two | #RV/21 Minnesota 6, NDSU 1
Minnesota wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as Dwyer sent a rocket up the middle scoring Lindaman, who led off the bottom of the first inning with a single.
NDSU tested Minnesota starter Carlie Brandt in the second by loading up the bases with one out thanks to a pair of singles following a fielder's choice play. Brandt showing no alarm recorded a big strikeout and a groundout to work out of the early jam.
Adding to their lead the Gophers plated runs in the third and fourth inning to make it 3-0. Allie Arneson drove in a run connecting on a double to centerfield before Houlihan drove home Jensen in the fourth.
The Gophers surrendered their first run in 32 innings as the Bison plated one in the fifth via a two-out single up the middle.
Holding a two-run lead, Minnesota went to the pen bringing in Sydney Smith to work the final two innings. Collecting her first collegiate save, Smith allowed two hits, a walk and stuck out one Bison hitter.
It would not be a Minnesota sweep without a home run. Houlihan delivered a three-run line shot that barely cleared the right field pole in the sixth to give Minnesota their largest lead of the game.
Up next
Heading into the final weekend of regular-season play, Minnesota hosts Penn State May 4-6 at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium. The series finale is set to air on ESPNU with a start time of 1 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets by clicking here.