University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
16-14-1, 3-3
Illinois
17-13, 3-2
Late Surge Downs Gophers in Sunday Finale
4/3/2022 2:30:00 PM | Softball
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The Illini scored in all but the first inning, including eight runs in the seventh, to defeat Minnesota (16-14-1 overall, 3-3 Big Ten) in the rubber game of the series.
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After their defense shined in the top of the first, the Gophers loaded the bases in the bottom half getting singles from Ellee Jensen and Chloe Evans before a walk to Sydney Strelow. Makenna Dowell stepped in and pulled a two-run single to right as Minnesota jumped to a 2-0 lead.
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A two-out rally from the Illini in the second put two on base via a walk and single followed by a double off the wall in center that evened the score, 2-2. Two more runs with two outs in the third allowed the visitors to take a 4-2 advantage.
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Jensen's second hit of the day and a stolen base moved the senior into scoring position, but the Gophers were unable to capitalize. Illinois extended its lead to 5-2, getting four-straight singles during the fourth inning, until a swinging strikeout thrown by Autumn Pease left three opposing players on the bases.
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Minnesota pulled within two, 5-3, in the bottom of the fourth as Megan Dray and Kayla Chavez traded places hitting doubles. The Illini responded again plating runs in the fifth and sixth until it was the Gophers turn in the bottom of the sixth. Strelow walked for the second time and Dowell pulled a RBI triple to the wall in right as the momentum started to build for the home side. A Sara Kinch RBI groundout helped Minnesota cut the margin to two, 7-5.
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Illinois posted an eight-run seventh putting the game out of reach to claim the finale, 15-5.
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Up Next
Minnesota continues its five-game homestand hosting the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State Wednesday, Apr. 6. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 3 p.m. at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Tori McQueen (8-4)
L: Leavitt, Emily (7-6)
Batting:
2B: Megan Ward 1 ; Delaney Rummell 1 ; Jaelyn Vickery 1
RBI: Megan Ward 2 ; Brianna Nykaza 2 ; Stevie Meade 1 ; Delaney Rummell 3 ; Kailee Powell 1 ; Paige Berkmeyer 3 ; Danielle Davis 2
SH: Stevie Meade 1 ; Delaney Rummell 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Megan Ward 1 ; Avrey Steiner 1 ; Stevie Meade 1 ; Lakyn Wagoner 1 ; Miranda Gallardo 1 ; Kelly Ryono 2 ; Delaney Rummell 1 ; Kailee Powell 2 ; Paige Berkmeyer 2 ; Gabi Robles 2 ; Jaelyn Vickery 1
SB: Kailee Powell 1 ; Zoie Howard 1
HBP: Bella Loya 1 ; Kelly Ryono 1
Batting:
2B: Dray, Megan 1 ; Chavez, Kayla 1
3B: Dowell, Makenna 1
RBI: Dowell, Makenna 3 ; Kinch, Sara 1 ; Chavez, Kayla 1
Base Running:
RUNS: DenHartog, Natalie 1 ; Evans, Chloe 1 ; Strelow, Sydney 1 ; Dowell, Makenna 1 ; Dray, Megan 1
SB: Jensen, Ellee 1
HBP: Chavez, Kayla 1
