Gophers Lose Pitchers Duel in Alabama
(Sam Macken's catch is featured on the video starting at :55)
Tuscaloosa, AL (KROC-AM News) - Former Lourdes High School softball standout Sam Macken made spectacular catch in the outfield, but the top-ranked Gopher softball team ended up losing to Alabama 1-0 in a nine inning game at the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional Saturday afternoon.
The U of M senior from Rochester also hit a ball all the way to the center field fence, but the Minnesota squad failed to score in the pitching duel. The closest they came to scoring was in the 8th when the Gophers had the bases loaded with three outs, but Alabama’s Alexis Osorio managed to escape by getting the Minnesota batter to ground out.
Both teams used the same pitcher throughout the game, with Sara Groenewegen on the mound for the Gophers. Unfortunately, a questionable ball four in the bottom of the 9th walked in the winning run for Alabama.
The Gophers are scheduled to play tomorrow afternoon in the double elimination tournament against either Albany or Louisiana Tech.