MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota starting pitcher Amber Fiser held the Illinois softball team in check, shutting out the Illini across 13 combined innings in the Friday (March 30) doubleheader as the Illini dropped both games by a score of 6-0. With the pair of losses, the Illini drop to 3-4 in Big Ten play, 22-13 overall, while the Gophers improve to 3-2.
Quotable
"We didn't make the necessary adjustments at the plate today to put pressure on Fiser and the Minnesota defense," said head coach Tyra Perry. "We are still at the beginning of a long season. We will watch film and bounce back on Sunday."
What Happened
Game One: Minnesota 6, Illinois 0
Fiser didn't allow an Illinois hit, while Minnesota's offense was paced by a three-run homer from catcher Kendyl Lindaman and solo shot by right fielder Maddie Houlihan.
Putting a runner on base in four of the seven innings, Illinois' best scoring chance came in the top of the sixth when the Orange and Blue loaded the bases behind a pair of errors by the Minnesota shortstop and a fielder's choice. Fiser tight-roped out of trouble with a pair of strikeouts to end the frame.
After Illini junior hurler Emily Oestrich held Minnesota at bay through two innings, the Minnesota bats broke through with each of the first four batters scoring in the third inning. After a hit and hit-by-pitch, Danielle Parlich singled to left field to plate the opening run. Catcher Kendyl Lindaman capped the four-batter sequence with a three-run homer to left field.
The Gophers tacked on single runs in each of the next two innings, an RBI ground out in the fourth and a solo home run by Maddie Houlihan in the fifth.
Relieving Oestrich after 3 1/3 innings, junior Erin Walker allowed just one run on two hits in 2 2/3 innings of relief, striking out two, in her second appearance of the season.
Game Two: Minnesota 6, Illinois 0
The Illini put more pressure on Fiser in the second game, tallying three hits, two for extra bases, and two walks off the Minnesota starter, but was unable to push a run across. Fiser pitched six of the seven innings for Minnesota, striking out five.
Five Illini reached base for Coach Perry in game two, led by doubles from Rowan McGuire and Kate Giddens. The Illini nearly plated a run in the fifth when, after the McGuire double, Veronica Ruelius hit a Fiser pitch deep to left field, but was robbed by a diving catch from Minnesota's Ellee Jensen.
Minnesota took an early lead with a single run in each of the first two innings, each scoring on RBI singles.
After a pair of walks in the first inning set the table for the Gophers, a single by Maddie Houlihan brought home the first run of the game. Shortstop Allie Arneson followed the Houlihan RBI with a single to right field, but Illinois' Maddie Doane cut down Minnesota runner Kendyl Lindaman at the plate for her fifth assist of the season to end the inning.
Minnesota pushed across another run in the second frame with a walk and two singles, the RBI going to Parlich on a single through the right side.
With the Illini still trailing 2-0 in the fifth, Minnesota centerfielder Dani Wagner batted in three runs to extend the lead with a solo home run in the fifth and a two RBI double in the sixth. Following the double, designated player Carlie Brandt brought home the final run of the game with a single to plate Wagner, capping a three-run sixth inning.
Junior pitcher Taylor Edwards threw all six innings for the Illini, striking out two.
Up Next
The Fighting Illini conclude their series against the Gophers on Sunday, April 1 at 12 p.m. central time. The game will be broadcast on BTN2Go.com.
For more Fighting Illini softball news, stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com and follow the team on Twitter @IlliniSB or like Fighting Illini Softball on Facebook.
