University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Michigan State
MInnesota Splits Doubleheader at Devon Park
3/15/2025 10:41:00 PM | Softball
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Minnesota Golden Gophers (12-14, 1-1 B1G) fell behind early and mounted a furious comeback that fell short in the 7th. The Michigan State Spartans (8-10, 1-1 B1G) took the win 13-11.
Sophomore Macy Richardson (0-1) started and took the loss in the circle for Minnesota. Junior Sydney Schwartz was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going one shutout inning without allowing a hit, walking one and striking out one.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gophers were trailing 12-0 in the third inning when they first put runs on the board. Minnesota's offense started clicking and put up five runs, including a two-run single off the bat of Junior Maggie Werner and a two-run double from Sophomore Jessa Snippes.
The Gophers deficit expanded to 13-5 before their offense got back on the scoreboard, cutting into that deficit in the fifth inning. Minnesota put up two runs in the frame, punctuated with an RBI triple off the bat of Junior Breezy Burnett, which tightened the Spartans lead to 13-7.
Minnesota held the Spartans off the board before narrowing the gap to 13-10 in the sixth. The 'U' scored three runs, all of them coming on a three-run homer off the bat of Freshman Tinley Easton that scored Snippes and Freshman Jae Cosgriff.
Minnesota held the Spartans off the board before narrowing the gap further in the seventh. Senior Margaret Tobias crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Maroon and Gold, bringing the score to 13-11 in favor of Michigan State. The Gophers were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.
GAME NOTES
» Tobias led the Gophers, amassing three hits in the ballgame.
» Easton drove in four runs for the 'U'.
» Every Gophers starter reached base safely in the loss.
» Minnesota's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed five runs across.
» Four Minnesota hitters had multiple base knocks in the ballgame.
» Minnesota left 11 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» Minnesota went 7-for-13 (.538) with runners in scoring position.
» The Maroon and Gold got two hits in four at-bats with the bases loaded.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 47 Michigan State hitters in the game, allowing 13 ground balls and six fly balls while striking out two.
» The Gophers drew nine walks from Michigan State pitching.
» Easton led the 'U' at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI.
» Michigan State was led offensively by junior H. Hawley, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI.
Game 2 - Minnesota 8-7 Penn State
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. --The Minnesota Golden Gophers (13-14, 2-1 B1G) responded from tied 7-7 in the sixth inning to win in dramatic fashion, securing an 8-7 victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions (12-14, 0-3 B1G) Saturday.
Junior Sydney Schwartz (4-7) started in the circle and picked up the win for Minnesota. The right-hander went seven innings, giving up seven runs, all of them earned, on eight hits, allowing six walks and striking out seven.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gophers got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Minnesota scored twice, with one run coming across on Freshman Jae Cosgriff's single.
The Nittany Lions then gained ground, narrowing the lead to 2-1 until the Golden Gophers expanded their advantage in the third. Minnesota scored three runs, all of them coming on a three-run homer off the bat of Senior Kayla Chavez, scoring Sophomore Jessa Snippes and Cosgriff, which brought the score to 5-1 in favor of the Maroon and Gold.
Minnesota held Penn State without a run before expanding their lead to 7-1 the following inning. Senior Nani Valencia's run-scoring single highlighted a two-run output in the frame for the Gophers.
The Nittany Lions then evened up the game at seven before Minnesota came back to reclaim their advantage in the seventh inning. Senior Taylor Krapf crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the 'U', bringing the score to 8-7 in favor of Minnesota. The score remained 8-7 for the rest of the game, as the Gophers held on for the win.
GAME NOTES
» Valencia picked up three hits in the game for Minnesota.
» Schwartz struck out seven Nittany Lions hitters.
» Minnesota's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed three runs across.
» Minnesota grabbed a 2-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Minnesota went 4-for-12 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 35 Penn State hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out seven.
» The Gophers drew 10 walks from Penn State pitching.
» Chavez led the 'U' at the plate, going 1-for-4 with a home run and three RBI.
» Penn State was led offensively by senior M Ricks, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI.
» Senior M Volpe led the Nittany Lions pitching staff, throwing four innings of one-run ball.
UP NEXT
The 'U' will be back in action on Sunday in Oklahoma City, OK. They will take on Penn State for a second time beginning at 12:30 PM at Devon Park.
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