University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
7-10
Howard
6-11
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Richardson, Macy (5-4)
L: Conaway, Aiko (1-7)
Batting:
2B: Wolocko, Tara 1 ; Snippes, Jessa 1
RBI: Wolocko, Tara 1 ; Jones, Brooklyn 1 ; Snippes, Jessa 1
SH: Hooper, Lucy 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Werner, Maggie 1 ; Wolocko, Tara 1 ; Cosgriff, Jae 1 ; Snippes, Jessa 1
SB: Werner, Maggie 1
Batting:
2B: Ames-Alexander, Taylor 1
RBI: Riggins, Angel 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Colbert, Wisdom 1
SB: Jordan, Maryn 1 ; Lee, Na'khia 1
HBP: Riggins, Angel 1 ; Taylor, Makyia 1 ; Whipper, Aniyah 1
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Gophers Take Extra-Inning Thriller, Fall to No. 14 Arizona
2/27/2026 10:44:00 PM | Softball
GAME ONE
TUCSON, Ariz. – Junior Macy Richardson was dominant on Friday, punching out eight Howard hitters over five innings of work to help power the Minnesota Golden Gophers over the Bison 4-1.
In addition to her eight strikeouts, Richardson (2-2) went five shutout innings while giving up two hits and walking four for Minnesota (7-10). Senior Sydney Schwartz also made an impact in the circle for the Golden Gophers, throwing three innings, giving up one run on two hits, with one walk and four strikeouts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Gophers put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the seventh inning. Senior Maggie Werner came across to score the lone run of the inning for Minnesota and get them on the board.
The Bison then tied the ballgame at one before the Gophers came back to reclaim their advantage in the eighth inning, which brought the Minnesota lead to 4-1. The score remained 4-1 for the rest of the game, as Minnesota held on for the win.
GAME NOTES
» The Minnesota pitching staff combined to strike out 12 Howard hitters.
» Minnesota's highest scoring inning was the eighth, when it pushed three runs across.
» The Golden Gophers out-hit the Bison at a 6-4 clip.
» Minnesota pitchers limited Howard to just 1-for-11 (.091) with runners in scoring position.
» Junior Tara Wolocko led the Gophers at the plate, going 1 for 3 with a double and an RBI.
GAME TWO
TUCSON, Ariz. – The Minnesota Golden Gophers softball team fell in an 11-2 loss to the 14th-ranked Arizona Wildcats on Friday night.
Sophomore Natalie Susa (0-5) got the ball to start for Minnesota (7-11) and took the loss.
Offensively, the Gophers were led by Easton, who went 1-for-3 on the day with a double and an RBI. Junior Lucy Hooper put together a noteworthy effort as well, going 2-for-3. Freshman Keali Cochran also chipped in for Minnesota, putting together one hit in one trip to the plate while adding an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Wildcats jumped out early, tallying four runs in the first, then two in the second, and four more in the third. After falling behind 10-0, the Gophers first put runs on the board in the fourth inning. Minnesota managed to push across two runs in the inning. The Golden Gophers were unable to get any closer, as Arizona added one run to their tally on the way to an 11-2 final.
GAME NOTES
» Minnesota's highest scoring inning was the fourth, when it pushed two runs across.
» Minnesota went 2-for-6 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 28 Arizona hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and four fly balls while striking out one.
UP NEXT
Minnesota continues play at the Hillenbrand Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 28, facing Long Beach State at 2:30 p.m. CT. The Gophers will wrap up the weekend Sunday, March 1, with a rematch against Howard at 10:00 a.m. CT. Both games will stream on FloCollege.