University of Minnesota Athletics
SOFTBALL TEAM HOSTS 2001 METRODOME SOFTBALL CLASSIC
2/6/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Metrodome Softball Classic Format
The five teams will engage in round-robin competition to determine seeding in a double-elimination championship bracket. A single championship game is slated for Sunday at 2 p.m.
Metrodome Softball Classic Schedule
Thursday, Feb. 8 Louisville vs. Wisconsin-Green Bay, 11 a.m. Louisville vs. Western Illinois, 1 p.m. Northern Iowa vs. Western Illinois, 3 p.m. Northern Iowa vs. Minnesota, 5 p.m. Wisconsin-Green Bay vs. Minnesota, 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9 Northern Iowa vs. Louisville, 11 a.m. Northern Iowa vs. Wis.-Green Bay, 1 p.m. Western Illinois vs. Wis.-Green Bay, 3 p.m. Western Illinois vs. Minnesota, 5 p.m. Louisville vs. Minnesota, 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 Bracket game #1 (Seed #3 vs. Seed #4), 11 a.m. Bracket game #2 (Seed #2 vs. Seed #5), 1 p.m. Bracket game #3 (Game 1 Winner vs. Seed #1), 3 p.m. Bracket game #4 (Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser), 5 p.m. Bracket game #5 (Game 2 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner), 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11 Bracket game #6 (Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Winner), 10 a.m. Bracket game #7 (Game 5 Loser vs. Game 6 Winner), 12 p.m. Bracket game #8 (Game 5 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner), 2 p.m. 2000 Metrodome Softball Classic Review
Alabama defeated Louisville, 7-6, in the championship game of the 2000 tournament. The Crimson Tide scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning to establish a 5-0 lead, but the Cardinals rallied, scoring four runs in the last two innings to tie the game, 6-6. Alabama scored a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to win the game and complete a 7-0 weekend, the first undefeated finish in the tournament's history. The Crimson Tide went on to participate in their first-ever Women's College World Series. Minnesota finished 3-2 in pool play, including a 10-4 rout of Missouri that avenged a loss to the Tigers in the 1999 NCAA Tournament. Minnesota lost to Louisville in the semifinals, 4-0.
The Co-Head Coaches
Minnesota co-head coach Lisa Bernstein enters her 10th season as a Gopher mentor. Her nine-year overall record is 319-230-1 (.581). In the last five seasons, Minnesota is 208-106 (.662), qualified for three NCAA tournaments and won the 1999 Big Ten Tournament Championship. She is 33 wins shy of becoming the coach with the most wins in Minnesota history.
Minnesota co-head coach Julie Standering is in her third season with her current title and her 10th year with the program. Her record is 79-48 (.622) as a co-head coach and 164-88 (.651) since being elevated to associate head coach in 1996.
The Minnesota Lineup
Pitching - Sophomore pitcher Angie Recknor (Minnetonka, Minn./ Hopkins) returns for her second year after setting school records in games pitched, innings pitched, complete games and strikeouts. First-year pitchers Piper Marten< /a> (Farmington, N.M./Farmington), Jessica Green (San Diego, Calif./Serra) and sophomore right-hander Meagan Hautala (Greendale, Wis./Greendale) will share time in the circle with Recknor.
Catching - Junior Meghan Smith (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie) started 47 games behind the plate in 2000 and will see the majority of the playing time in 2001. Junior Christine Lindberg (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Barrington) is the backup, but will see at-bats in a variety of roles.
Infield - Senior Angel Braden (Chino, Calif./St. Lucy's) moves to second base and anchors a defense that has the potential to be one of the best in the nation. Sophomore Allie Fisk (Orono, Minn./Orono) is the Gopher starter at third base and the likely No. 2 hitter. Sophomore shortstop Shelly Nichols (Austin, Tex./Stephen F. Austin) played every game in 2000 and provides steady defense and a productive bat. The newcomer is Hailee Nanchy (Ontario, Calif./Ontario Christian), who will play first base and will be expected to drive in runs..
Outfield - Senior Morgan Holden (Los Lunas, N.M./La Cueva), junior Tammi Hays (Hastings, Minn./Hastings) and sophomore Veronica Roberts (San Diego, Calif./Mt. Carmel) all return to the Gopher outfield for the 2001 season. Hays was a second-team all-region outfielder in 2000, leading Minnesota with a .347 batting average and 23 stolen bases. Holden is one of Minnesota's best Big Ten hitters over the last three seasons, while Roberts hit .294 in her rookie season.
The Metrodome Opponents
Louisville
The Cardinals made their debut in the world of NCAA softball in the 2000 Metrodome Softball Classic and finished second in the six-team tournament. Louisville finished 36-26 and 8-8 in Conference USA in its inaugural season under head coach Sandy Pearsall. The Cardinals return their top two hitters with Keola Calderon (.305 BA, 32 RBI) and Melissa Jacobo (.322 BA, 14 2B, 4 HR), and their three pitchers are led by Jessica Rak (17-14, 1.25 ERA).
The Series - Series tied, 1-1. Minnesota defeated Louisville, 2-1, in pool play of the 2000 Metrodome Softball Classic, but the Cardinals returned the favor in the semifinals, 4-0.
Northern Iowa
The Panthers bring a new coach for their third appearance in the Metrodome Softball Classic. Sara Hayes takes over for Meredith Bakley, who won 632 games in her 22 years at Northern Iowa. Northern Iowa was 28-32 in 2000 and finished 11-7 in the Missouri Valley Conference, good for fifth place.
The Series - Minnesota leads the series, 20-7. The Golden Gophers won three times in 2000, defeating the Panthers 7-3 at the Metrodome and sweeping a doubleheader by scores of 7-0 and 4-0 in Cedar Falls. The teams will play a doubleheader April 17 at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium.
Western Illinois
The Westerwinds are the only visitor to play in every Metrodome Softball Classic. Western Illinois was 46-16 in 2000, had a 25-game winning streak, won the Mid-Continent tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Kathy Veroni begins her 30th season at Western Illinois with a record of 711-465-2.
The Series - Series tied, 2-2. Western Illinois defeated Minnesota, 2- 0, in the 2000 Metrodome Softball Classic.
Wisconsin-Green Bay
The Phoenix are the only team in the 2001 tournament making their Metrodome Softball Classic debut. Green Bay had their most successful season in 2000 under head coach Butch Reimer, earning a record of 27-15 and advancing to the championship game of the Midwestern Collegiate tournament before losing to Illinois-Chicago.
The Series - Minnesota leads, 4-1. The Gophers and Phoenix split a doubleheader April 18, 2000, in Minneapolis, with Minnesota winning the opener, 3-0 and Green Bay taking the nightcap, 9-5. The teams will play doubleheaders April 11 in Minneapolis and May 1 in Green Bay.
The Road Begins at North Carolina
The Gophers will travel to North Carolina for a doubleheader against the Tar Heels on Thursday, Feb. 15, at 2 p.m. (EST). Minnesota will participate in the Triangle Classic from Feb. 16-18 in Raleigh, N.C. The Gophers will face Temple (Feb. 16, Noon), Ohio (Feb. 16, 2 p.m.) and UNC-Wilmington (Feb. 17, Noon) in pool play.
