The No. 1 Gophers softball team fell to the Alabama Crimson Tide, 1-0 in extra innings on Saturday at the NCAA Regionals in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The Crimson Tide loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth on a questionable hit by pitch, and then Gophers starting pitcher Sara Groenewegen walked in the game-winning run on this bogus call from the umpire.
After a phantom hit-by-pitch to make the bases loaded, then this was ball four..apparently. Brutal way to end a great game. pic.twitter.com/tSxc3io3lr
— Matt Witwicki (@WittD2Football) May 20, 2017
Despite the walk, Groenewegen was dominant on the mound pitching 8.2 innings, allowing just four hits and struck out 10.
Meanwhile Alabama’s starting pitcher Alexus Osorio was also sharp as she didn’t allow a hit through seven innings and struck out 11 batters.
Despite the offense collecting just two hits, they were patient at the plate drawing five walks but failed to drive in a run, leaving eight players on base.
With the loss the Gophers are now in the losers bracket in the double-elimination tournament. They will play the winner of Albany/LA Tech Saturday at 4:30.
