Michigan State University
14-19, 0
Minnesota
21-14, 0
Gophers Rebound With 6-2 Win In DH Nightcap
4/8/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Box Score | PDF Box: Minnesota 6, MSU 2 
SPARTAN SYNOPSIS
Minnesota took a 6-2 decision in the nightcap of Sunday's doubleheader to split the day of action with the Spartans at Secchia Stadium on Sunday.
The Gophers (21-14, 4-2 Big Ten) scored twice in the first and MSU tied it with single runs in the first and third frames, but a pair of runs in the fourth and a two-run homer for Dani Wagner in the top of the seventh sealed the win for the visitors.
For the Spartans (14-19, 2-6 B1G) Kelcey Carrasco had two hits in each end of the doubleheader today, including an RBI single in the bottom of the first. Lea Foerster also had an RBI single in the third.
Kristina Zalewski, who earned the game one win in relief, took the loss as the game two starter, surrendering three earned runs in 3.1 innings. Both Jordan Watson and Bridgette Rainey had relief stints.
Wagner went 3-for-4 with three RBI for the Golen Gophers, while MaKenna Partain went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored. Carlie Brandt earned the win, going five innings and surrendering two runs (one earned) on six base hits. The save went to game one starter Amber Fiser, who struck out four in two innings of relief work.
The Spartans head down the road to Ann Arbor on Wednesday for a midweek tilt against Michigan. Gametime is 6 pm, and it will air live on ESPNU.
TOP PERFORMERS
- Katie Quinlan had a pair of base hits, legging out a pair of infield singles.
- Kelcey Carrassco went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
- Lea Foerster had an RBI single in the fourth inning.
QUOTABLE
"After having to cancel or postpone games three times this week, I thought it was important for us to get these games in today, and thankfully the weather cooperated. It had been eight days since we had a game and the team really needed to get out there. Bridgette Rainey had a good day in the circle, and we're starting to see Kelcey Carrasco come around - she had four big hits today and hopefully, that gets her going a little. We saw some good things today, and we're continuing to work hard on getting everyone going at the same time. We've got a lot of season left and what we're looking for is continued improvement."
Head Coach Jacquie Joseph
STATS AND STORYLINES
- The visiting Gophers jumped out with three base hits and a pair of runs in the top of the first inning, matching their output from the first game of the doubleheader.
- The Spartans trimmed the Minnesota lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the first. A double by Ebonee Echols put a runner in scoring position, and she came home on a single by Kelcey Carrasco.
- In the bottom of the third, Katie Quinlan legged out an infield single to lead off the inning. Lea Foerster singled through the middle, and a mishandled throw to third allowed Quinlan to come home and tie the game.
- Minnesota got a rally going in the top of the fourth. The Gophers got a single by Ellee Jensen with one out, and the Spartans went to the bullpen to bring on Jordan Watson. Watson allowed a single to MaKenna Partain to put runners at the corners, and a sac fly by Parlich brought home Jensen from third to re-establish a Gopher lead. MSU intentionally walked Kendyl Lindaman for the second time in the game, and Dwyer followed with a single to left to score a second run in the inning. Watson got out of the inning on a strikeout of Maddie Houlihan.
- Bridgette Rainey came on in the top of the sixth with one on, and faced four batters, striking out three around an intentional free pass to Lindaman, her third of the game.
- Kelcey Carrasco led off the sixth with a single up the middle, and was replaced on the basepaths by Joanna Bartz. The Gophers made a pitching change, going back to ace Amber Fiser, who threw a complete game in game one. Fiser struck out the first two batters she saw, and then a popup to shallow center ended the MSU threat.
- A two-run homer by Dani Wagner blew open the game for the Gophers in the top of the seventh. Houlihan had reached on an error to lead off the inning, and Wagner's bomb to left made it 6-2. Rainey retired the next three batters in order to get out of the inning.
- Fiser closed out the game and earned the save by facing four batters in the bottom of the seventh, walking Quinlan to give the Spartans a baserunner with one out.
- Kristina Zalewski got the start and went 3.1 innings, striking out three and was charged with three earned runs. Jordan Watson went 1.2 innings and struck out two before leaving in the top of the sixth, allowing one earned run. Rainey finished out the game, surrendering just those runs in the top of the seventh on the Wagner homer.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Carlie Brandt (5-2)
L: Zalewski, Kristina (7-8)
S: Amber Fiser (2)
Batting:
HR: Dani Wagner 1
RBI: Danielle Parlich 1 ; Sydney Dwyer 1 ; Maddie Houlihan 1 ; Dani Wagner 3
Base Running:
RUNS: MaKenna Partain 2 ; Kendyl Lindaman 1 ; Maddie Houlihan 1 ; Dani Wagner 1 ; Ellee Jensen 1
Batting:
2B: Echols, Ebonee 1
RBI: Foerster, Lea 1 ; Carrasco, Kelcey 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Echols, Ebonee 1 ; Quinlan, Katie 1
SB: Echols, Ebonee 1
