.png&width=42&height=42&type=webp)
University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
14-11
NC State
17-9
Gophers Defeat Wolfpack, Fall to No.23/22 Gamecocks
3/16/2024 7:01:00 PM | Softball
Minnesota defeated NC State and lost to South Carolina
GAME ONE
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Junior Taylor Krapf put together a brilliant outing at the plate Saturday, hitting two homers to help power the Minnesota Golden Gophers past the NC State Wolfpack 14-4.
Senior Bri Enter (9-4) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Minnesota (14-11). The right-hander went 2.2 innings, giving up one run on three hits, allowing one walk and striking out three.
Krapf went 2-for-4 at the plate, supplementing her two home runs with five RBIs. Sophomore Jess Oakland added to Krapf's awesome power-hitting performance by going 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI. Junior Nani Valencia also helped out for the Golden Gophers, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Gophers got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Minnesota's offense started clicking and put up seven runs, including a three-run double off the bat of Oakland and a two-run home run from Krapf.
The Golden Gophers then lost some of their lead, expanding on their advantage in the third inning after the Wolfpack cut it to 7-4. The Minnesota offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a one-run single off the bat of senior Sydney Strelow, which brought the Golden Gophers lead to 11-4.
Minnesota held NC State scoreless before building their lead to 14-4 in the fifth inning. The Golden Gophers scored three runs, all of them coming on a three-run homer from Krapf that scored Oakland and junior Kayla Chavez. The score remained 14-4 for the rest of the game, as Minnesota coasted to the win.
GAME NOTES
» The Golden Gophers got two home runs off the bat of Krapf.
» The Golden Gophers had both Krapf and Oakland smack multiple extra-base hits in the ballgame.
» Krapf drove in five runs for Minnesota.
» Minnesota's highest scoring inning was the second, when it pushed seven runs across.
» The Golden Gophers had control of the rest of the game after moving ahead of the Wolfpack 7-0 in the bottom of the second.
» The Golden Gophers out-hit the Wolfpack at a 9-4 clip.
» Minnesota went 7-for-16 (.438) with runners in scoring position.
» The Golden Gophers got two hits in four at-bats with the bases loaded.
» Minnesota pitchers limited NC State to just 1-for-7 (.143) with runners in scoring position.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 24 NC State hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and five fly balls while striking out four.
» The Golden Gophers drew seven walks from NC State pitching.
» Krapf led the Golden Gophers at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two home runs and five RBI.
GAME TWO
COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Minnesota Golden Gophers were not able to record a run against South Carolina pitcher senior Alana Vawter on Saturday and were shut out 4-0 by the No. 23 Gamecocks.
Senior Jacie Hambrick (2-4) started and took the loss in the circle for Minnesota (14-12). Freshman Cameron Grayson was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going one shutout inning without allowing a hit, walking none and striking out one.
Junior Kayla Chavez led the way offensively for the Golden Gophers, going 1-for-3 in the ballgame with a double. Junior Taylor Krapf put together a noteworthy performance as well, going 2-for-3.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Minnesota did not advance a runner past second base in the game. The Golden Gophers went 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position, last placing a runner as far as second in the sixth, when freshman Lucy Hooper made it into scoring position with one out.
GAME NOTES
» Minnesota pitchers limited South Carolina to just 1-for-7 (.143) with runners in scoring position.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 31 South Carolina hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out one.
» Chavez led the Golden Gophers at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a double.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Enter, Bri (9-4)
L: Rylee Wyman (4-3)
Batting:
2B: Amanda Hasler 1
RBI: Michele Tarpey 1 ; Amanda Hasler 3
Base Running:
RUNS: MaKayla Marbury 1 ; Taylor Ensley 1 ; Michele Tarpey 1 ; Alaina Smith 1
HBP: Taylor Ensley 1 ; Michele Tarpey 1
Batting:
2B: Oakland, Jess 2 ; Burnett, Breezy 1 ; Valencia, Nani 1
HR: Krapf, Taylor 2
RBI: Oakland, Jess 3 ; Chavez, Kayla 1 ; Krapf, Taylor 5 ; Strelow, Sydney 1 ; Valencia, Nani 2 ; DeBord, Morgan 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Oakland, Jess 2 ; Chavez, Kayla 1 ; Krapf, Taylor 2 ; Strelow, Sydney 1 ; Ehlke, Maddy 1 ; Burnett, Breezy 1 ; Valencia, Nani 2 ; Werner, Maggie 1 ; DeBord, Morgan 2 ; Richardson, Macy 1
SB: Chavez, Kayla 1 ; Valencia, Nani 1
