Minnesota Scene: Michigan sweeps Gophers, wins Big Ten softball crown

May 9, 2021 at 6:13AM
Gophers shortstop Brandt Carlie threw to first as Michigan's Julia Jimenez (22) slid into second base during Game 2 of a doubleheader at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium on Saturday, May 8, 2021. The Wolverines won 3-1, their third victory in a row in the series. (Kelly Hagenson)
Gophers shortstop Carlie Brandt threw to first as Michigan’s Julia Jimenez slid into second base during Game 2 of a doubleheader at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium on Saturday. The Wolverines won 3-1, claiming the Big Ten championship with the victory. (Kelly Hagenson, University of Minnesota/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Gophers dropped a softball doubleheader to Michigan on Saturday, losing 10-4 and 3-1 to the Wolverines at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium and allowing Michigan (32-5) to wrap up the Big Ten championship.

Meghan Beaubien gave up a Gophers run in the second inning but pitched a three-hitter in the Game 2 clincher, striking out nine. The Wolverines broke a 1-1 tie with two in the sixth inning after loading the bases with nobody out against Gophers starter Autumn Pease.

In Game 1, the Wolverines got to Gophers starter Amber Fiser (12-7) for five runs in four innings, then tacked on five more runs in the sixth.

The Gophers' Emily Hansen had three hits in the doubleheader.

MIAC tennis crowns go to Gustavus, Tommies

Top-seeded Gustavus beat No. 2 seed Carleton 5-1 in the MIAC men's tennis championship in St. Peter, Minn. NCAA Division III tournament pairings will be announced Monday.

• No. 1 seed St. Thomas, in its final season of Division III play, swept Gustavus 5-0 for the women's title at the Baseline Tennis Center. It is the second conference title for the Tommies.

Saints suspended by rain

The Saints' game at Omaha was suspended by rain in the fifth inning, with the Saints up 8-1. The game will resume Sunday before being followed by a seven-inning game.

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