University of Minnesota Athletics
Saturday, May 21
Norman, OK
3:30 PM
University of Minnesota
13
vs
1
Prairie View A&M
Gophers Season Ends after Game Two Loss Saturday
5/21/2022 9:45:00 PM | Softball
NORMAN, Okla. - The Golden Gophers softball team posted a 13-3, run-rule victory over Prairie View A&M before a 10-7 loss to Texas A&M ended their season Saturday from Marita Hynes Field in the NCAA Norman Regional.
Minnesota (27-26-1 overall) scored 11 of its 20 runs in the first frames of the two games as its offense totaled 20 hits overall. A late rally by the Aggies erased the Gophers' four-run lead in the sixth inning of the nightcap.
Game One
It was all Maroon & Gold during the elimination game as its offense exploded for a seven-run first inning and never looked back winning 13-1 over Prairie View A&M. The Gophers scored double-digit runs for the ninth time this season, getting home runs and multiple RBI from Chloe Evans, Megan Dray and Emily Hansen, while 12 different players reached base safely.
Freshman Emily Leavitt earned the start and worked around a lead-off double from the Lady Panthers in the top of the first to record a scoreless opening frame. She maintained her dominance in the circle and was in complete control for the game retiring the final 12 batters she faced in four innings and struck out seven.
The Gophers quickly pounced on the designated visiting team as the first nine batters recorded hits started by Lauren Espalin's ground-rule double to left center. Natalie DenHartog traded places with the graduate senior lacing an RBI double off the wall in left and Evans delivered a major blow sending a two-run home run through the wind in right field for a 3-0 advantage. The bottom of the first continued as Dray lifted a single to left and Hansen added a two-run blast of her own as the margin stretched to 5-0.
Minnesota's offense was not done there as it got a single by Makenna Dowell and Sydney Strelow followed with a double. Both runners scored thanks to an RBI single from Kayla Chavez and the lead grew to 7-0. Ellee Jensen hit an infield single as the Gophers tallied nine-consecutive hits before an out was recorded.
After Evans drew a walk starting the second inning, Dray stepped in and hammered a two-run homer as Minnesota continued to pour on the run production. The Gophers put a runner in scoring position in the third as pinch hitter Nani Valencia drew a walk to open the frame but could not score. The home side loaded the bases with walks to Maddy Ehlke and Ali Lindner around an error that allowed Rylie Costa to reach. Valencia drew her second walk of the contest for an RBI and another PVAMU error allowed two runs to score.
The Lady Panthers broke the shutout in the top of the fifth as they took advantage of two walks and a single to load the bases. Minnesota closed out the run-rule victory, 13-1, to keep its season alive.
Game Two
The Gophers jumped out to a 5-1 lead on Texas A&M, but could not close out the win and saw their season come to an end suffering a 10-7 setback. Dray reached base four times with a single and three walks, while Chavez matched a career high registering three RBI.
The Aggies wasted no time taking an early lead getting a double to start the nightcap followed by an RBI single for the 1-0 advantage. Autumn Pease picked up a pair of strikeouts as she and the Gophers defense stranded three base runners and limited the damage to one run.
The defensive hold helped Minnesota turn the momentum in the bottom half of the first as its offense stayed red hot batting around the order for the second-straight game. Singles from DenHartog and Dray around a Texas A&M error loaded the bases and Dowell ripped a two-run single giving the Gophers a 2-1 edge. The inning continued behind a Strelow single and Chavez sent a two-run single to right, pushing the margin to 4-1.
Pease settled in after giving up the run and put down 12 of the next 15 hitters she faced with four strikeouts. Strelow opened the third with a walk and moved into scoring position as Sara Kinch dropped down a sacrifice bunt. The junior advanced to third on a wild pitch and slid home thanks to a Chavez sacrifice fly for a 5-1 cushion. The Aggies hit for a solo home run with two outs in the fourth to close the gap, but DenHartog's 19th round trip of the season in the bottom of the frame answered right back for the Gophers.
Texas A&M would not go away getting a single followed by two doubles to plate a pair of runs in the sixth and the rally continued. A two-run single pulled the score even as the Aggies tallied five-consecutive hits and used a two-run home run to jump in front, 8-6, scoring six times in the frame.
Minnesota rallied back in the sixth getting a one-out double by Espalin that shot off the edge of the infield dirt and rolled to the wall. Pinch runner MacKenzie Denson moved to third and DenHartog reached base on a strike three, passed ball before Denson scored on another passed ball making it a one-run game. The Aggies added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh and the Gophers were unable to keep their season going, suffering a 10-7 loss.
Minnesota (27-26-1 overall) scored 11 of its 20 runs in the first frames of the two games as its offense totaled 20 hits overall. A late rally by the Aggies erased the Gophers' four-run lead in the sixth inning of the nightcap.
Game One
It was all Maroon & Gold during the elimination game as its offense exploded for a seven-run first inning and never looked back winning 13-1 over Prairie View A&M. The Gophers scored double-digit runs for the ninth time this season, getting home runs and multiple RBI from Chloe Evans, Megan Dray and Emily Hansen, while 12 different players reached base safely.
Freshman Emily Leavitt earned the start and worked around a lead-off double from the Lady Panthers in the top of the first to record a scoreless opening frame. She maintained her dominance in the circle and was in complete control for the game retiring the final 12 batters she faced in four innings and struck out seven.
The Gophers quickly pounced on the designated visiting team as the first nine batters recorded hits started by Lauren Espalin's ground-rule double to left center. Natalie DenHartog traded places with the graduate senior lacing an RBI double off the wall in left and Evans delivered a major blow sending a two-run home run through the wind in right field for a 3-0 advantage. The bottom of the first continued as Dray lifted a single to left and Hansen added a two-run blast of her own as the margin stretched to 5-0.
Minnesota's offense was not done there as it got a single by Makenna Dowell and Sydney Strelow followed with a double. Both runners scored thanks to an RBI single from Kayla Chavez and the lead grew to 7-0. Ellee Jensen hit an infield single as the Gophers tallied nine-consecutive hits before an out was recorded.
After Evans drew a walk starting the second inning, Dray stepped in and hammered a two-run homer as Minnesota continued to pour on the run production. The Gophers put a runner in scoring position in the third as pinch hitter Nani Valencia drew a walk to open the frame but could not score. The home side loaded the bases with walks to Maddy Ehlke and Ali Lindner around an error that allowed Rylie Costa to reach. Valencia drew her second walk of the contest for an RBI and another PVAMU error allowed two runs to score.
The Lady Panthers broke the shutout in the top of the fifth as they took advantage of two walks and a single to load the bases. Minnesota closed out the run-rule victory, 13-1, to keep its season alive.
Game Two
The Gophers jumped out to a 5-1 lead on Texas A&M, but could not close out the win and saw their season come to an end suffering a 10-7 setback. Dray reached base four times with a single and three walks, while Chavez matched a career high registering three RBI.
The Aggies wasted no time taking an early lead getting a double to start the nightcap followed by an RBI single for the 1-0 advantage. Autumn Pease picked up a pair of strikeouts as she and the Gophers defense stranded three base runners and limited the damage to one run.
The defensive hold helped Minnesota turn the momentum in the bottom half of the first as its offense stayed red hot batting around the order for the second-straight game. Singles from DenHartog and Dray around a Texas A&M error loaded the bases and Dowell ripped a two-run single giving the Gophers a 2-1 edge. The inning continued behind a Strelow single and Chavez sent a two-run single to right, pushing the margin to 4-1.
Pease settled in after giving up the run and put down 12 of the next 15 hitters she faced with four strikeouts. Strelow opened the third with a walk and moved into scoring position as Sara Kinch dropped down a sacrifice bunt. The junior advanced to third on a wild pitch and slid home thanks to a Chavez sacrifice fly for a 5-1 cushion. The Aggies hit for a solo home run with two outs in the fourth to close the gap, but DenHartog's 19th round trip of the season in the bottom of the frame answered right back for the Gophers.
Texas A&M would not go away getting a single followed by two doubles to plate a pair of runs in the sixth and the rally continued. A two-run single pulled the score even as the Aggies tallied five-consecutive hits and used a two-run home run to jump in front, 8-6, scoring six times in the frame.
Minnesota rallied back in the sixth getting a one-out double by Espalin that shot off the edge of the infield dirt and rolled to the wall. Pinch runner MacKenzie Denson moved to third and DenHartog reached base on a strike three, passed ball before Denson scored on another passed ball making it a one-run game. The Aggies added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh and the Gophers were unable to keep their season going, suffering a 10-7 loss.
Players Mentioned
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OF
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OF
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INF
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C/1B
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INF/UT
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OF
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UT
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UT
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OF
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C
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RHP
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OF
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RHP
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INF
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INF
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