University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Softball 2008 Preview: Fresh Look on the Infield
2/4/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
With the 2008 Gopher softball season set to get underway in just on Thursday, check out part four of gophersports.com's exclusive season preview. Minnesota will begin play Feb. 7 against Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Fla.
The Golden Gophers will return a veteran-laden outfield upperclassmen Fernandez, Wheeler, Powers, Chrissy Sward and Amber Nelsen will likely see the bulk of the playing time early on but Minnesota will sport an almost entirely new infield in 2008. Taking over for Higginbotham at shortstop figures to be the freshman Sudenga, an outstanding club softball player out of South Dakota. Her double-play partner will be fellow freshman Howard, one of the top high school athletes in the state of Minnesota a year ago. The duo promises to form one of the most dynamic middle infields in the conference and should hold down the positions for years to come.
“We have high hopes that (Sudenga) can walk right in and take charge of things,” said Bernstein about the Bradon Valley, S.D. native. “And Sammie is a real student of the game that plays above and beyond her years... We feel that these two will bring a real infusion of energy to our team.”
Barnes has been tabbed as Minnesota’s starting first baseman to open the season and has the significant shoes of Lisa Parks to fill. Her previous track record suggests she is up to the task the Glendale, Ariz. native was an Arizona Republic All-American last spring and led her team to three state tournament appearances. Barnes also hit over .500 three times during her high school career (including .680 as a junior) and was an accomplished club player.
Bernstein is confident that Barnes will make a successful switch to the next level of competition.
“The game at the college level moves a lot faster than she is used to, but she is making adjustments,” said Bernstein. “I see her making an impact hitting in the middle of the lineup. She loves to hit more than anything.”
Challenging Barnes for first base duties will be another freshman, Natalie Neal. The Frisco, Tex. native is an imposing presence at the plate and possesses tremendous power potential. She played three seasons with Texas Glory-Gold, one of the state’s top club teams and will also see time as designated player and pinch hitter for the Gophers this spring.
Other newcomers that could see time in the infield will be Alison Murphy (Rapid City, S.D.), Mallory Mitchell (Forney, Tex.) and Tina Watts (Minneapolis).
With all the turnover on the infield, the Gophers will depend even more on the versatile Conway to lead the team from the hot corner. Conway boasts a .933 career fielding percentage and has seamlessly made her third position switch in as many years she played second base last spring and shortstop in 2006.
“Colleen is a rock of our infield,” said Standering about the stability the Woodbury, Minn. native brings to the Gophers’ roster. “She really studies the game, and has a great game sense’ she can anticipate what’s going to happen a couple plays down the line. Conway has the ability to make teams change their game plan because of her defensive ability.”
Log on to Gophersports.com tomorrow for the final parts of the 2008 Minnesota softball season preview!
