Gophers Push 19 Runs Past Fighting Illini in Saturday Sweep

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GAME 1 | Minnesota 13, Illinois 0

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Sophomore Jess Oakland put together a monster performance at the plate in game one, hitting three homers to help power the Minnesota Golden Gophers over the Illinois Fighting Illini 13-0.

Freshman Macy Richardson (2-2) got the win for Minnesota (17-15, 3-2 B1G). The right-hander went three shutout innings, giving up two hits, no walks and striking out one. Freshman Jessa Snippes also pitched well, going one shutout inning without allowing a hit.

Oakland went 4-for-4 at the plate, supplementing her three home runs with a double while driving in five runs. Junior Taylor Krapf added to Oakland's awesome power-hitting performance by going 1-for-1 with a home run and two RBI. Junior Kayla Chavez also chipped in for the Golden Gophers, going 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Gophers took the lead for good in the first, scoring for the first time in the inning. Minnesota plated two runs when Krapf left the yard with Oakland aboard.

The Gophers then tacked on runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, with their biggest output coming in the fifth when they scored six times. That six-run inning included two Minnesota home runs.

GAME NOTES

» Richardson, senior Hambrick, and Snippes combined to throw a four-hit shutout.
» Oakland collected four hits on the day for Minnesota.
» Minnesota got a fantastic power hitting day from Oakland, who reached safely with four extra base hits.
» Oakland drove in five runs for Minnesota.
» Minnesota's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed six runs across.
» Minnesota took a 2-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Minnesota hitters hit seven homers in the ballgame.
» The Golden Gophers out-hit the Fighting Illini at a 10-4 clip.
» Minnesota pitchers limited Illinois to just 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 18 Illinois hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and five fly balls while striking out two.
» The Golden Gophers drew four walks from Illinois pitching.
» Oakland led the Golden Gophers at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a double, three home runs and five RBI.
» Illinois was led offensively by junior Stevie Meade, who went 1-for-2.

GAME 2 | Minnesota 6, Illinois 4

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Gophers took a 1-0 lead in the second inning and never trailed from there on the way to a 6-4 win against the Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday in game two.

Senior Bri Enter (11-5) started in the circle and picked up the win for Minnesota (18-15, 4-2). The right-hander went six innings, giving up one run on three hits, allowing three walks and striking out five.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Gophers got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Junior Nani Valencia came across to score the lone run of the inning for Minnesota and get them on the board.

The Fighting Illini then tied the ballgame at one before the Gophers came back to reclaim their advantage in the third inning. Minnesota brought home a pair, with one run driven in by senior Delanie Cox's single, which brought the Maroon and Golds lead to 3-1.

Minnesota kept Illinois without a run before building their lead to 5-1 in the fifth inning. Minnesota scored two runs, including one on a solo homer from junior Taylor Krapf.

Minnesota held the Fighting Illini without a run before their offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. Sophomore Breezy Burnett crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Golden Gophers, bringing the score to 6-1 in favor of Minnesota. Illinois put three runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Golden Gophers still held on for the 6-4 win.

GAME NOTES

» Enter struck out five Fighting Illini hitters.
» The Golden Gophers power output was led by senior Strelow, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Minnesota's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed two runs across.
» The Golden Gophers had control of the rest of the game after moving ahead of the Fighting Illini 1-1 in the top of the second.
» Four Golden Gophers had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Golden Gophers out-hit the Fighting Illini at an 11-5 clip.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 29 Illinois hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out five.
» Krapf led the Golden Gophers at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
» Illinois was led offensively by senior Kelly Ryono, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.
» Junior Lauren Wiles led the Fighting Illini pitching staff, throwing six innings of four-run ball.

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