Gophers Gash Rutgers for Six Home Runs in Series-Clinching Win

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1:30 PM

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11:00 AM

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PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Gophers softball team ignited for six home runs from six different players Sunday winning 10-3 at Rutgers claiming the Big Ten series from the Rutgers Softball Complex. Natalie DenHartog's fourth-inning blast set Minnesota's all-time home run record as the senior hit the 52nd of her career.

It was a complete team effort for Minnesota (15-12-1 overall, 2-1 B1G) as ten players reached base safely and eight scored at least one run. The six home runs were the most in a single game since hitting five at Illinois in 2019 and starting pitcher Autumn Pease limited the Scarlet Knights to five hits across six innings tallying the win.

A lead-off single from Rutgers came around to score on a RBI double in the first before Pease struck out back-to-back batters ending the inning. Two batters into the second and it was a tie game as Megan Dray battled in an eight-pitch at-bat and launched a solo home run pulling Minnesota even, 1-1. Sydney Strelow was hit by a pitch, while Emily Hansen and Kayla Chavez walked, loading the bases for the Gophers. A passed ball allowed Strelow to slide home safely pushing to a 2-1 advantage.

As was the case Saturday, Minnesota broke the game open in the third scoring three times behind four hits highlighted on home run swings from Sara Kinch and Strelow moving in front, 5-1. The Scarlet Knights were able to scratch across a run later in the frame closing the gap to three, but the Gophers responded in a big way.

In the fourth, Lauren Espalin drew her second of three walks in the game and DenHartog provided the fireworks blasting a record-breaking, two-run homer as Minnesota's lead swelled to 7-2. Hansen reached base for the third time getting hit by a pitch with one out in the fifth and Makenna Dowell made the home side pay, driving a two-run home run to left center. Chavez wasted no time in adding to the Gophers advantage as she belted the very next pitch over the center field fence moving the margin to 10-2.

For the second-straight day, Rutgers avoided the run rule by hitting a late home run, but Pease retired the next six batters and Minnesota secured the series victory, 10-3. Pease pitched six innings allowing three runs on five hits and struck out four before Nani Valencia tossed a scoreless seventh closing out the contest.

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Minnesota welcomes Illinois to Jane Sage Cowles Stadium for its home opener Friday. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

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