UW Assured Big Ten Bid After Beating Gophers, 1-0
May 04, 2002 | Softball
Junior Andrea Kirchberg struck out 13 batters and forced Minnesota to strand runners on second and third in the top of the seventh inning to help the Badger softball team earn a 1-0 shutout victory over the Gophers on Saturday. With the win, Wisconsin (30-18 overall, 10-6 Big Ten) secured a bid to its third straight Big Ten Championship and assured itself of fourth place in league standings, the highest finish in school history.
Minnesota (37-18, 8-7) managed just two hits in the contest and left seven runners on base, failing to capitalize on five Badger errors.
After five and a half scoreless innings, UW freshman Boo Gillette led off the bottom of the sixth with a single to center, giving the Badgers just their second base runner of the game. After Erin Barnharst reached on a fielder's choice, senior Kerry Hagen advanced her to third with a sacrifice bunt. With two away, junior Mandy Liles came up big for the Badgers, sending the 1-1 pitch into center field to bring home Barnharst for what would be the game's only score.
After a flyout ended the inning, Wisconsin found itself just three outs away from entering the postseason. Kirchberg (19-13) walked the leadoff batter and the second hitter reached on an infield error. A passed ball allowed the runners to advance to second and third with no outs. Kirchberg finally saved the day, striking out the next two Gophers and forcing UM to ground out to third to end the game.
Minnesota starter Piper Marten (22-11) took a one-hitter into the sixth inning before giving up the lone run.
Wisconsin and Minnesota will square off again tomorrow at Goodman Diamond for the regular-season finale for the two teams. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.
