University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Western Kentucky
Minnesota Hammers 3 homers in 7-4 victory over Western Kentucky
2/12/2023 9:39:00 PM | Softball
LEESBURG, Fla. --Minnesota swung the bat with authority on Sunday, plating seven runs and crushing three homers in the Golden Gophers 7-4 victory over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.
Junior Jacie Hambrick (1-0) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Minnesota (4-1). The right-hander went four shutout innings while giving up two hits, allowing two walks and striking out two.
Offensively, the Golden Gophers were led by freshman Jess Oakland, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a home run, two walks and two RBI. Graduate Natalie DenHartog put together a noteworthy performance as well, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Senior Sydney Strelow also chipped in for Minnesota, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding a home run, a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gophers were trailing 4-0 in the third inning when they first put runs on the board. Minnesota plated two runs when Oakland left the yard with Strelow aboard.
The Maroon and Gold kept the deficit at 4-2 before closing the gap further in the fourth. Minnesota pushed across a run on sophomore Kayla Chavez's RBI double, which brought the score to 4-3 in favor of the Hilltoppers.
Minnesota held the Hilltoppers off the scoreboard before rallying to grab a 7-4 lead in the fifth. The Gophers hit two home runs in the inning on the way to scoring four runs. The score remained 7-4 for the rest of the game, as Minnesota held on for the win.
GAME NOTES
» Minnesota's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed four runs across.
» Minnesota hitters hit three home runs in the ballgame.
» The Gophers out-hit the Hilltoppers at a 9-7 clip.
» Minnesota went 3-for-10 (.300) with runners in scoring position.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 34 Western Kentucky hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and three fly balls while striking out six.
» The Gophers drew five walks from Western Kentucky pitching.
» Oakland led the Gophers at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBI.
» Western Kentucky was led offensively by sophomore Randi Drinnon, who went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI.
» Freshman Maddy Wood led the Hilltoppers pitching staff, throwing one shutout inning.
