University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, May 7
7:00 PM
University of Minnesota
25-8, 0
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3
Michigan
30-5, 0
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Michigan
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Minnesota
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Photo by: Brad Rempel
No. 23 Gophers Drop Series Opener to No. 19 Michigan
5/7/2021 9:19:00 PM | Softball
MINNEAPOLIS – In a battle of the top two teams in the Big Ten, No. 23 Minnesota (25-8) dropped its series-opening contest to No. 19 Michigan (30-5) Friday night at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium, 3-0.
In a tight pitchers' duel, each team was held to four hits, but three of Michigan's were for extra bases, proving the difference in the first of a four-game series.
Meghan Beaubien got the win to improve to 12-3 as she struck out eight in 5.0 innings, while Alex Storako notched the save as she struck out all six batters she faced. Minnesota senior Amber Fiser fell to 12-5 on the year as she suffered the loss. Fiser allowed three earned runs while striking out three and walking none in a complete-game effort.
Michigan's Lou Allen got the scoring started in the top of the first when she pulled a two-out home run to left field, her team-leading ninth of the year.
The Wolverines then added to their lead in the top of the fourth when Hannah Carson's double to right field plated Natalia Rodriguez with two outs.
Minnesota's best scoring chances came in the fourth and fifth innings when the Gophers got a pair of runners on in each frame, but couldn't cash them in.
In the fourth, MaKenna Partain led off with a single to right field, the first hit of the game for the Gophers. Two batters and two outs later, Chloe Evans poked a single through the left side to put runners on first and second. A popup ended the threat, however.
One inning later, Sydney Strelow drew a one-out walk. After a strikeout, Ellee Jensen beat out a bunt attempt, again putting two runners on. However, like the previous inning, a popup brought the inning to a close.
Michigan later added an insurance run in the top of the seventh on a solo homer by Julia Jimenez.
The teams will resume the series Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 1:30 p.m. Both games will be televised live on Big Ten Network.
In a tight pitchers' duel, each team was held to four hits, but three of Michigan's were for extra bases, proving the difference in the first of a four-game series.
Meghan Beaubien got the win to improve to 12-3 as she struck out eight in 5.0 innings, while Alex Storako notched the save as she struck out all six batters she faced. Minnesota senior Amber Fiser fell to 12-5 on the year as she suffered the loss. Fiser allowed three earned runs while striking out three and walking none in a complete-game effort.
Michigan's Lou Allen got the scoring started in the top of the first when she pulled a two-out home run to left field, her team-leading ninth of the year.
The Wolverines then added to their lead in the top of the fourth when Hannah Carson's double to right field plated Natalia Rodriguez with two outs.
Minnesota's best scoring chances came in the fourth and fifth innings when the Gophers got a pair of runners on in each frame, but couldn't cash them in.
In the fourth, MaKenna Partain led off with a single to right field, the first hit of the game for the Gophers. Two batters and two outs later, Chloe Evans poked a single through the left side to put runners on first and second. A popup ended the threat, however.
One inning later, Sydney Strelow drew a one-out walk. After a strikeout, Ellee Jensen beat out a bunt attempt, again putting two runners on. However, like the previous inning, a popup brought the inning to a close.
Michigan later added an insurance run in the top of the seventh on a solo homer by Julia Jimenez.
The teams will resume the series Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 1:30 p.m. Both games will be televised live on Big Ten Network.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Beaubien, Meghan (12-3)
L: Fiser, Amber (12-5)
S: Storako, Alex (1)
Batting:
2B: Carson, Hannah 1
HR: Allan, Lou 1 ; Jimenez, Julia 1
RBI: Allan, Lou 1 ; Carson, Hannah 1 ; Jimenez, Julia 1
SH: Rodriguez, Natalia 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Rodriguez, Natalia 1 ; Allan, Lou 1 ; Jimenez, Julia 1
HBP: Blair, Lexie 1
Base Running:
HBP: Partain, MaKenna 1
Game Leaders
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
UT
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballOF
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
IF
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