University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, April 8
Iowa City, IA
3:00 PM
University of Minnesota
16-15-1, 3-4
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Iowa
17-16, 1-6
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Minnesota
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Iowa
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Photo by: Angela Wang
Gophers Drop Friday's Series Opener at Iowa
4/8/2022 7:15:00 PM | Softball
IOWA CITY, Iowa - Minnesota softball built an 8-2 lead at Iowa but could not secure the victory falling 9-8 Friday afternoon at Bob Pearl Field.
Eight different players scored a run during a big second inning for the Gophers (16-15-1 overall, 3-4 B1G), where they tallied all eight of their runs, only to see the Hawkeyes chip away before notching a four-run sixth to steal the series opener.
After being delayed by 10 minutes due to cold temperatures, it was the Iowa offense that struck first, getting a two-run homer in the bottom of the first to jump in front early. Minnesota responded in a big way in the second plating eight on eight hits and sent 12 batters to the dish. Singles by Chloe Evans and Megan Dray surrounded a walk to Sydney Strelow loading the bases opening the frame. Sara Kinch delivered the major blow sending a grand slam to right putting the Gophers ahead, 4-2.
The offense continued via three-straight singles from Kayla Chavez, Lauren Espalin and Ellee Jensen. Evans cleared the bases on a shallow double to left and Strelow added a RBI double as Minnesota stretched the margin to 8-2. The Hawkeyes took advantage of errors by the visitors on the way to a two-run second and closed the gap to 8-4.
The Gophers had a chance to extend their lead but left two in scoring position in the fourth after a single from Espalin and a walk to Evans. Emily Leavitt took over in the circle later that frame for Minnesota and promptly retired the Hawkeyes in order.
Iowa was able to get one back the next inning on three singles before the defense stranded two in scoring position. The late rally continued for the Hawkeyes in the bottom of the sixth as they got a RBI groundout before a three-run blast turned the tide to a 9-8 advantage for Iowa. Minnesota put the potential tying run on base in the top of the seventh as Strelow drew a one-out walk and pinch runner MacKenzie Denson swiped second base. The Gophers were unable to convert the chance and dropped the first game of the weekend series.
Espalin, Evans and Strelow all reached base three times for Minnesota, while Kinch and Evans combined for seven RBI at the plate.
Up Next
The Gophers and Hawkeyes face off in game two Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. live on B1G+.
Eight different players scored a run during a big second inning for the Gophers (16-15-1 overall, 3-4 B1G), where they tallied all eight of their runs, only to see the Hawkeyes chip away before notching a four-run sixth to steal the series opener.
After being delayed by 10 minutes due to cold temperatures, it was the Iowa offense that struck first, getting a two-run homer in the bottom of the first to jump in front early. Minnesota responded in a big way in the second plating eight on eight hits and sent 12 batters to the dish. Singles by Chloe Evans and Megan Dray surrounded a walk to Sydney Strelow loading the bases opening the frame. Sara Kinch delivered the major blow sending a grand slam to right putting the Gophers ahead, 4-2.
The offense continued via three-straight singles from Kayla Chavez, Lauren Espalin and Ellee Jensen. Evans cleared the bases on a shallow double to left and Strelow added a RBI double as Minnesota stretched the margin to 8-2. The Hawkeyes took advantage of errors by the visitors on the way to a two-run second and closed the gap to 8-4.
The Gophers had a chance to extend their lead but left two in scoring position in the fourth after a single from Espalin and a walk to Evans. Emily Leavitt took over in the circle later that frame for Minnesota and promptly retired the Hawkeyes in order.
Iowa was able to get one back the next inning on three singles before the defense stranded two in scoring position. The late rally continued for the Hawkeyes in the bottom of the sixth as they got a RBI groundout before a three-run blast turned the tide to a 9-8 advantage for Iowa. Minnesota put the potential tying run on base in the top of the seventh as Strelow drew a one-out walk and pinch runner MacKenzie Denson swiped second base. The Gophers were unable to convert the chance and dropped the first game of the weekend series.
Espalin, Evans and Strelow all reached base three times for Minnesota, while Kinch and Evans combined for seven RBI at the plate.
Up Next
The Gophers and Hawkeyes face off in game two Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. live on B1G+.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Greer, Devyn (3-3)
L: Leavitt, Emily (7-7)
Batting:
2B: Evans, Chloe 1 ; Strelow, Sydney 1
HR: Kinch, Sara 1
RBI: Evans, Chloe 3 ; Strelow, Sydney 1 ; Kinch, Sara 4
SH: Jensen, Ellee 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Espalin, Lauren 1 ; Jensen, Ellee 1 ; DenHartog, Natalie 1 ; Evans, Chloe 1 ; Strelow, Sydney 1 ; Dray, Megan 1 ; Dowell, Makenna 1 ; Kinch, Sara 1
Batting:
HR: Burns, Kalena 2
RBI: Klosterman, Brylee 1 ; Doster, Tristin 2 ; Burns, Kalena 5 ; Loecker, Denali 1
SH: Burns, Kalena 1 ; Banes, Grace 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Klosterman, Brylee 1 ; Carter, Nia 3 ; Burns, Kalena 2 ; Sheehy, Riley 1 ; Maras, Sophia 2
SB: Moss, Rylie 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
1
H
3
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
3
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
C/1B
/ SoftballOF
/ SoftballUT
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballINF
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