Gophers Softball Season Ends at College World Series

Oklahoma City (Gophersports.com) - The No. 7 University of Minnesota Gophers fell 5-3 to No. 3 seed Washington on Elimination Saturday of the Women's College World Series this afternoon. The Gophers finish a historic season 46-14 after competing in their first ever WCWS in the NCAA era.

Washington jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first. They scored on a solo shot home run and a wild pitch.

Carlie Brandt cut the Washington lead from the nine spot in the bottom of the third with a deep RBI double to left to score Emma Burns.

Sydney Smith came into the circle in a tough situation in the fourth inning. Washington had the bases loaded with a 3-1 lead when she stepped in and fired a strikeout to get the Gophers out of the jam.

Going into the top of the sixth inning the game entered a three hour and nine minute weather delay due to lightning strikes in the area. Washington came out of the delay and added another pair of runs.

Down to their last out of the game the bottom of the order went to battle for the Gophers after Natalie DenHartog had started the frame with a single through the left side. Taylor Chell drew a pinch hit walk and Ali Lindner drew a walk to load the bases. Brandt again came through with a double that got away from a diving right fielder to make it 5-3. Washington made a pitching change and halted the Gophers comeback with a strikeout.

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