University of Minnesota Athletics
Golden Gopher Softball Program Signs Three Top Recruits to NLIs
11/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The University of Minnesota softball program has signed three players to National Letters of Intent, co-head coach Lisa Bernstein announced Tuesday. Danielle Skrove and Alissa Koch will suit up for the Golden Gophers next fall, while Brianna Sudenga will be joining the team beginning next semester.
| Danielle Skrove |
Skrove is a native of Elk River, Minn. and one of the state’s top recruits this year. A four-time varsity letterwinner and three-time All-Conference Honorable Mention honoree, Skrove is a former team MVP and will serve as a captain this spring. As the Elks’ shortstop, Skrove hit .413 last season and also led the team in stolen bases. In addition, Skrove has competed for the Minnesota Sting fastpitch club team for the past four years. She is an A-Honor Roll student and also a Distinguished Academic Achievement winner. Skrove plans to pursue a kinesiology major at Minnesota.
“Dannie is a lifeline on our team,” said Elk River head softball coach Stacey Schoenrock. “I could not ask for a better person to coach and learn from. Dannie is a tremendous leader with passion and unbelievable determination. She has the ability to better everyone that surrounds her.”
| Alissa Koch |
Koch will give the Gophers even more depth in the pitching circle in 2009, as the Racine, Wisc. native enjoyed a remarkable year on the rubber last season. 2007 saw Koch post a 22-2 overall record with a miniscule 0.80 ERA and a whopping 336 strikeouts in 157 innings pitched, leading Racine to the state quarterfinals. Named Wisconsin’s Division 1 “Player of the Year” in 2007, Koch is a two-time All-Conference selection and has lost just eight of 62 decisions throughout her high school career. An All-State selection as a junior, Koch also competed for the Racine Belles club softball team and plans to major in psychology at Minnesota.
“I am extremely exited that Alissa will be joining our team next year,” said Minnesota pitching coach Piper Marten. “We are very fortunate to have such a strong arm in the circle. She is a student of the game who has tremendous leadership qualities.”
Sudenga is the Gophers’ third Midwest recruit and attended Brandon Valley High School in Valley Springs, S.D. After graduating from high school at age 16, Sudenga will be transferring from Inver Hills Community College and joining the team for practice in January. At Brandon Valley High, she hit over .367 during nationals three years in a row, including .764 in 2005. Sudenga, a middle infielder, also flashed some leather by turning 16 double plays during the 2006 national tournament. At Minnesota, she plans to pursue a double major in both chemistry and Spanish and will compete for playing time right away in 2008.
| Brianna Sudenga |
“We’re very excited to have Brianna join our softball program,” said Bernstein. “She’s an athletic and smart ballplayer, and is someone who will make an immediate impact. We can’t wait for her to start her Gopher career.”
The Golden Gopher softball squad will begin its 2008 season Feb. 7 when they travel to Jacksonville for their season-opening tournament. For the first time in three years the team will also hold the Metrodome Tournament from Feb. 14-17 in downtown Minneapolis.
