LEESBURG, Fla. – Rutgers was topped by Minnesota in the final game of the series on Friday afternoon with the Golden Gophers edging the Scarlet Knights 6-4.
 
Rutgers put up a valiant effort with its last at bat in the bottom of the seventh. Trailing 6-2, the Scarlet Knights loaded the bases with no outs. While RU managed two runs, the Gophers were able to strand the tying run on second and go-ahead on first.

Minnesota 6, Rutgers 4

STANDOUT STATS

• Freshman Megan Herka was responsible two runs batted in, her first RBIs as a Scarlet Knight.
• Sophomores Payton Lincavage and Kiersten Withstandley both went 2-for-3 at the plate with a run each.
• Withstandley also added an RBI along with fifth-year senior Anyssa Iliopoulos.
• Sophomore Ashley Hitchcock got the start inside the circle and pitched a total of 5.1 innings. Graduate student Izzy Berouty threw 1.2 innings in the loss.

THE RUNDOWN

• Rutgers struck first in the bottom of the fourth. The Scarlet Knights opened with back-to-back singles from Gabrielle Callaway and Kiersten Withstandley and later loaded the bases as Anyssa Iliopoulos reached first on a wild pitch. Megan Herka walked pinch runner Mya Mancini in for the early 1-0 lead.
• The Golden Gophers, however, took a 3-1 advantage with their next at bat. Triples by Syndey Strelow and MaKenna Partain and a sac fly by Elle Jensen put Minnesota ahead.
• The Scarlet Knights cut their deficit down to one in the bottom of the sixth with Herka adding her second RBI of the afternoon. With the bases loaded, the freshman grounded out to second allowing the leadoff, Withstandley, to touch home.
• Minnesota tacked on three more runs in the top of the seventh off three hits.  The Golden Gophers used a based load RBI single to left by Katelyn Kemmetmuelle, a sac fly to right from Emily Hansen and double by Natalie DenHartog on consecutive to take a 6-2 advantage.
• Rutgers loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh with no outs. Withstandley drove in Taylor Lane with a single to left and with two outs Iliopolous walked in Patyon Lincavage as Rutgers trailed 6-4. Minnesota, however, was able to strand the tying run on second and go-ahead run on first.

UP NEXT

Rutgers begins a three-game series with Indiana at the Sleepy Hollow Softball Complex. The Scarlet Knights open with a doubleheader on Saturday at 4:15 p.m. and 7 p.m.


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