University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
7-13
Howard
7-12
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Conaway, Aiko (2-7)
L: Richardson, Macy (2-3)
S: Holt, Julia (2)
Batting:
2B: Riggins, Angel 1 ; Castille, Cheyenne 1
RBI: Riggins, Angel 2 ; Jordan, Maryn 1 ; Castille, Cheyenne 2
SH: Hart, Merci 1 ; Castille, Cheyenne 1 ; Ames-Alexander, Taylor 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Riggins, Angel 1 ; Jordan, Maryn 2 ; Taylor, Makyia 1 ; Whipper, Aniyah 1
SB: Jordan, Maryn 1 ; Taylor, Makyia 1
HBP: Jordan, Maryn 1
Batting:
2B: Schwartz, Sydney 1
HR: Werner, Maggie 1
RBI: Werner, Maggie 2 ; Wolocko, Tara 1 ; Schwartz, Sydney 1
SH: Hooper, Lucy 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Werner, Maggie 2 ; Cosgriff, Jae 1 ; Snippes, Jessa 1
HBP: Werner, Maggie 1
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Gophers Close Hillenbrand Invitational with Loss to Howard
3/1/2026 12:03:00 PM | Softball
TUCSON, Ariz. – Howard's four-run third proved to be the difference in the ballgame, as the Minnesota Golden Gophers lost a close one to the Bison by the score of 5-4 on Sunday to close out the Hillenbrand Invitational.
Junior Macy Richardson (2-3) started and took the loss in the circle for Minnesota (7-13). The right-hander went five innings, giving up five runs, three earned, on seven hits, allowing no walks and striking out seven. Freshman Kylinn Stangl was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going two shutout innings without allowing a hit, walking none and striking out two.
In the batter's box, the Golden Gophers were led by senior Maggie Werner, who went 2-for-2 on the day with a home run and two RBIs. Senior Sydney Schwartz put together a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 4-0, the Golden Gophers first put runs on the board in the third inning. Sophomore Jae Cosgriff came across to score the lone run of the inning for Minnesota and get them on the board.
The Golden Gophers kept the Bison off the board before narrowing the gap further in the fourth. Werner came across to score the lone run of the inning for Minnesota, which tightened the Bison lead to 4-2.
Howard built their lead to 5-2 before the Minnesota offense got going, reducing that lead to 5-4 in the sixth. Junior Jessa Snippes and Werner came in to score the two Gopher runs in the frame. Minnesota was unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.
GAME NOTES
» Minnesota's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed two runs across.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 30 Howard hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and three fly balls while striking out nine.
» Werner led the Golden Gophers at the plate, going 2 for 2 with a home run and two RBIs.
UP NEXT
The Minnesota Golden Gophers open Big Ten Conference play on the road against the Indiana Hoosiers March 6-9. First pitch is set for Friday at 6:00 p.m. CT, Saturday at 2:00 p.m. CT and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. CT. All games will stream live on B1G+.