By: Betsy Helfand

In the past week, freshman Sam Macken has shown her propensity for big moments.

Last week, she delivered a walk-off hit to lead Minnesota to a Big Ten tournament championship.

Sunday, Macken struck again.

With the Gophers down a run in the bottom of the sixth, Macken smacked a three-run home run to give her team an 8-6 lead over Auburn and guide it to its first-ever NCAA Super Regional.

“Everyone wants to be in that spot, so if you’re in it, have fun with it and see what happens,” Macken said.

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By: Joe Perovich

Friday, the Gophers needed just 4.2 innings in their offense-heavy victory.

Saturday, it took the Gophers 10 innings, but they achieved the same result.

Minnesota outlasted North Dakota State to win its NCAA regional game 4-1.

The game was tightly contested throughout, but third baseman Kaitlyn Richardson said the team didn’t lose confidence.

“I think we knew we were going to win the whole time,” Richardson said.

Minnesota threatened to break the 1-1 tie in the seventh and eighth innings but didn’t break through until the 10th.

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By: Joe Perovich

Friday, the Gophers needed just 4.2 innings in their offense-heavy victory.

Saturday, it took the Gophers 10 innings, but they achieved the same result.

Minnesota outlasted North Dakota State to win its NCAA regional game 4-1.

The game was tightly contested throughout, but third baseman Kaitlyn Richardson said the team didn’t lose confidence.

“I think we knew we were going to win the whole time,” Richardson said.

Minnesota threatened to break the 1-1 tie in the seventh and eighth innings but didn’t break through until the 10th.

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By: Betsy Helfand

Minnesota entered the last day of its NCAA regional within striking distance of capturing fifth place and punching its ticket to the next round.

But Sunday’s play knocked it back to a ninth-place regional finish.

“I think we found that we were right amongst the best of the best,” head coach John Carlson said. “Today, unfortunately, we just didn’t convert on as many opportunities as we needed to.”

The team finished Friday’s play tied for sixth, but Carlson said his team didn’t hit very good iron shots Saturday.

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By: Betsy Helfand

Minnesota entered the last day of its NCAA regional within striking distance of capturing fifth place and punching its ticket to the next round.

But Sunday’s play knocked it back to a ninth-place regional finish.

“I think we found that we were right amongst the best of the best,” head coach John Carlson said. “Today, unfortunately, we just didn’t convert on as many opportunities as we needed to.”

The team finished Friday’s play tied for sixth, but Carlson said his team didn’t hit very good iron shots Saturday.

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By: Betsy Helfand

It took Minnesota’s offense just 4.2 innings to dispatch the Green Bay Phoenix in Friday’s NCAA regional win.

After a surrendering an unearned run in the first inning, the Gophers settled down and beat the Phoenix 10-1.

The eight-run mercy rule came into effect after freshman right fielder Sam Macken hit a two-run home run to cap off a seven-run fifth inning.

“I’m really proud of — after a shaky first inning — us coming back and putting it together,” head coach Jessica Allister said.

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