University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
22-22-1, 7-11
Michigan
31-15, 11-8
Momentum Swings in Sunday Setback at Michigan
5/1/2022 2:00:00 PM | Softball
Minnesota (22-22-1 overall, 7-11 B1G) dropped the series finale to the nationally-ranked Wolverines as it was unable to hold off a late surge with the home team scoring five unanswered runs. DenHartog reached base all three times at the plate going 2-for-2, while Makenna Dowell had an extra-base hit and a walk.
Michigan jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first using a one-out single and a two-out walk followed by a double that plated the pair. DenHartog drew a four-pitch walk opening the second frame and stole second base with one out putting a Gophers runner into scoring position. Dowell battled to a walk and the Wolverines decided to change pitchers just six batters into the contest. Megan Dray extended the inning fighting back for a walk to load the bases, but the home side was able to escape the threat without conceding.
After Minnesota went down in order in the third, Michigan extended its advantage hitting a one-out solo home run to center pushing in front, 3-0. DenHartog got the offense started during the fourth as she ripped a lead-off single back up the middle and a double down the line in right off the bat of Dowell put a pair of Gophers in scoring position. Pinch hitter MacKenzie Denson stepped up and delivered her first RBI of the season, lifting a sacrifice fly into center as Minnesota pulled within two.
Autumn Pease entered the game in relief after a lead-off double in the bottom of the fourth and ended the scoreless frame getting back-to-back fly balls stranding two Wolverines in scoring position. On the first pitch of the fifth, Kayla Chavez lined a double off the center field wall and looked to take third on a grounder but was called out as the Minnesota coaches pushed for an obstruction call. Evans was not deterred and tied the score, 3-3, as the sophomore obliterated a ball that nearly cleared the extended bleachers in right center. DenHartog matched her teammate on the very next pitch launching a solo shot to left center as the Gophers moved in front, 4-3.
The lead was short lived as the home side capitalized on two free bases hitting a RBI single with two outs and added a three-run home run for a 7-4 margin. A solo shot stretched Minnesota's deficit to four beginning the sixth. The Gophers drew consecutive walks by Lauren Espalin and Ellee Jensen with one out in the seventh. Both runners moved up a base via a wild pitch but were unable to close the gap and dropped the rubber game, 8-4.
Up Next
Minnesota returns to Jane Sage Cowles Stadium for its final five games of the regular season starting Wednesday, May 4 in a doubleheader against Wisconsin. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. live on B1G+.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Storako, Alex (21-7)
L: Pease, Autumn (10-12)
S: Beaubien, Meghan (2)
Batting:
2B: Dowell, Makenna 1 ; Chavez, Kayla 1
HR: Evans, Chloe 1 ; DenHartog, Natalie 1
RBI: Evans, Chloe 2 ; DenHartog, Natalie 1 ; Denson, MacKenzie 1
SF: Denson, MacKenzie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Espalin, Lauren 1 ; Evans, Chloe 1 ; DenHartog, Natalie 1 ; Strelow, Sydney 1
SB: DenHartog, Natalie 1
Batting:
2B: Livingston, Melina 1 ; Voss, Lexi 1
HR: Burkhardt, Kristina 1 ; Blair, Lexie 1 ; Tholl, Keke 1
RBI: Burkhardt, Kristina 1 ; Blair, Lexie 1 ; Livingston, Melina 2 ; Voss, Lexi 1 ; Tholl, Keke 3
SH: McVey, Ella 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Burkhardt, Kristina 1 ; LeClair, Audrey 1 ; Blair, Lexie 1 ; Bump, Taylor 1 ; Kersten, Sierra 1 ; Sieler, Ellie 1 ; Voss, Lexi 1 ; Tholl, Keke 1
HBP: Sieler, Ellie 1
