Freshman second baseman Danielle Parlich had a two-run single in the first inning and a two-run homer in the second to lead the Gophers to a 10-5 victory over Northwestern on Friday at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium in Big Ten softball.
It was the first conference loss for the Wildcats (20-12, 8-1).
No. 15 Minnesota (31-7, 7-3) also got a two-run homer from Hannah Granger in a four-run first inning. Already ahead 7-2, the Gophers scored three runs in the fourth on a walk, hit batter and another walk, all with the bases loaded.
Sophomore righthander Sara Groenewegen struck out a career-high 15 hitters in improving to 20-4.
U shuts out Huskers
Ben Meyer pitched 6⅔ innings and Jordan Jess 2⅓ as the Gophers shut out No. 23 Nebraska 3-0 in Lincoln in Big Ten baseball for their first win against a ranked team this season.
Meyer gave up four hits, Jess one.
Center fielder Dan Motl led off the game with a double for the Gophers (12-17, 3-7 Big Ten) and scored on a groundout. He doubled again in the third inning to drive in another run. First baseman Toby Hanson had a homer and double.
Etc.
• Gwen Jorgensen of St. Paul won the ITU World Triathlon Series event in Gold Coast, Australia, for her eighth consecutive victory in the elite series. She finished the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-kilometer cycle ride and 10-kilometer run in 1 hour, 56 minutes, 58 seconds.
