University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
31-10, 0
Nebraska
15-26, 0
Gophers Win Fifth Big Ten Series
4/20/2019 5:32:00 PM | Softball
LINCOLN, NEB.- The No. 18/12 University of Minnesota made their way to another win this afternoon after defeating the Huskers 8-3. Today's victory also seals the series win for the Maroon and Gold.
"The defense did awesome, per usual," right-hander Sydney Smith said. "They had my back every inning with every ball that was hit. We hit the ball hard and we played good defense."
Smith is now 10-4 on the season after pitching a complete game. The senior struck out three batters and gave up three runs.
The Gophers have now won all five Big Ten series they have played so far this season. Minnesota will look to get the sweep tomorrow afternoon.
"All the hard work we put in at practice and all the hours we spend fine tuning things, I think is really showing off. I think it's just showing that we are getting better as the season goes on," Smith said.
Minnesota moves to 31-10 overall and 12-1 in the Big Ten.
The Maroon and Gold's first run of the game came in the top of the third after Carlie Brandt went to steal second. The ball was overthrown, so Brandt made her way home to score on the error.
The Gophers extended their lead to 6-0 after scoring five more runs in the fourth. Natalie DenHartog kicked off the frame with a solo shot to left center, swinging at the first pitch she saw for her 12th home run of the season. MaKenna Partain notched a double to bring in Emma Burns, and Maddie Houlihan hit a triple to score Ali Lindner and Allie Arneson.
The Huskers got on the board in the bottom of the sixth after placing runners on second and third. With one out, the Huskers brought in a run with a single to shortstop. The Gophers were able to hold Nebraska to just one run that frame.
Minnesota tacked on two more runs in the seventh. Arneson got on base with a double and was sent home off Lindner's home run to right center to extend their lead to 8-2.
Nebraska attempted to come back in the bottom of the seventh, scoring two runs on a single after loading the bases. Their efforts were cut short when Smith finished them off with a strikeout and forced the final batter into the defense.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Smith, Sydney (10-4)
L: Lindsey Walljasper (7-10)
Batting:
2B: Arneson, Allie 1
3B: Houlihan, Maddie 1
HR: DenHartog, Natalie 1 ; Lindner, Ali 1
RBI: Partain, MaKenna 1 ; Houlihan, Maddie 3 ; DenHartog, Natalie 1 ; Lindner, Ali 2
SH: Kemmetmueller, Katelyn 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Partain, MaKenna 1 ; DenHartog, Natalie 1 ; Burns, Emma 1 ; Arneson, Allie 2 ; Lindner, Ali 2 ; Brandt, Carlie 1
SB: Arneson, Allie 1 ; Brandt, Carlie 1
HBP: DenHartog, Natalie 1
Batting:
2B: Tristen Edwards 1
RBI: Tristen Edwards 2 ; Lindsey Walljasper 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Alyvia Simmons 1 ; Payton Huscroft 1 ; Rylie Unzicker 1
