JAKE FORD, Athletic Communications Assistant – University of Minnesota (Photo Courtesy of Minnesota Athletics)
LAS VEGAS – Senior pitcher Sara Moulton threw her fourth-consecutive complete game shutout to start the season and No. 22/24 Minnesota racked up six runs on seven hits to take down UNLV, 6-0, in its first game at the Easton Desert Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. Moulton’s win was the 89th of her career, a school record.
Moulton, who had a perfect game through 6 1/3 innings, passed Gopher pitching coach Piper Ritter to set the Minnesota mark. She is now 4-0 on the season and has thrown 28-consecutive scoreless innings.
For the first time since 2008 and fourth time in program history, Minnesota has registered five consecutive shutout wins. For the first time since 2003 and third time in school history, the Gophers are 6-0 to start the season.
The Gophers got on the board quickly against the Rebels, tagging starter Morgan Ettinger for two quick runs in the first when Tyler Walker and Erica Meyer reached base to lead off the game and Kaitlyn Richardson smacked a double to left field to drive them home.
Taylor LeMay upped the Minnesota advantage to 3-0 when she led off the second inning by blasting her first-career home run over the scoreboard in left field.
Richardson increased her RBI total for the game to four in the fourth with her first home run of the season, a two-run shot. The next batter, freshman Sara Groenewegen, capped the scoring with her second home run of the season.
Moulton retired the first 19 batters she saw before pinch hitter Francesca Foti ended the Eagan, Minn. native’s perfect game and no-hitter with a single to right field.
In four starts on the young season, Moulton has 41 strikeouts and has allowed just nine hits without a run in 28 innings. She also padded her school records with her 39th shutout and 95th complete games.
Minnesota continues play in the desert with games against Brigham Young and Boise State Saturday before taking on top-ranked Florida Sunday.
