University of Minnesota Athletics
Softball Continues Big Ten Play With Penn State, Michigan
4/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS (21-10, 4-2) vs. PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (27-14, 3-5)
Location: Minneapolis, Minn.
Facility: Jane Sage Cowles Stadium
Dates: Friday, April 11, 6 p.m., Saturday, April 12, 12 p.m.
Live Video: Gold Zone video available Saturday
Live Stats: Live stats of both games against the Nittany Lions will be available via gophersports.com.
Series Information:
Series: Minnesota leads 32-12
Current Streak: PSU has won three straight
Longest Minnesota Streak: 10 (4/8/95-4/18/98)
Longest Penn State Streak: 3 (4/2/05-4/15/06)
Last Meeting: PSU 3-0, 3-0 at PSU, (4/14-15/06)
MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS vs. #6 MICHIGAN WOLVERINES (doubleheader)
Location: Minneapolis, Minn.
Facility: Jane Sage Cowles Stadium
Date: Sunday, Apr. 13, 12/2 p.m.
Live Stats: Live stats of both games against the Wolverines will be available via gophersports.com.
Series Information:
Series: Michigan leads 65-23
Current Streak: Michigan has won two straight
Longest Minnesota Streak: 6 (4/2/83-5/5/84)
Longest Michigan Streak: 18 (5/11/91-5/4/96)
Last Meeting: Mich. 5-1 @ Louisville Tournament, 3/15/08
PENN STATE, MICHIGAN COME TO TOWN
Fresh off a sucessful Big Ten home opening weekend, the Golden Gopher softball team (21-10, 4-2 Big Ten) hosts Penn State and No. 6 Michigan this weekend at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium. It will be the second home weekend for Minnesota, which swept a doubleheader from Indiana April 4 before being rained out against Purdue two days later.
The Gophers and Nittany Lions are scheduled to play single games Friday (6 p.m.) and Saturday (12 p.m.), with live video of Saturday’s game available in the Gold Zone via gophersports.com. The Wolverines and Gophers are set to play a doubleheader Sunday afternoon beginning at 12 p.m. Live stats for all games are available at gophersports.com.
GOPHERS SWEEP HOME OPENER WITH INDIANA
The Minnesota Golden Gopher softball team began last Friday not knowing whether or not they would play their scheduled game with Indiana. They finished the day with two more wins in Big Ten play.
Minnesota (21-10, 4-2 Big Ten) picked up two big wins in its home-opening doubleheader Friday night at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium in Minneapolis, beating the Hoosiers (9-25, 0-6) by scores of 7-3 and 5-2. The two teams were originally scheduled to play one game on Friday and another on Saturday, but elected to go with the Friday night doubleheader due to an ominous Saturday weather forecast.
In game one, it was junior pitcher Briana Hassett’s star that shone brightest. The Eagan, Minn. native struck out 16 hitters and allowed only six hits, improving her record to 14-4 on the season. Hassett’s 16-strikeout performance was the second-most in Gopher history. Hassett herself shares the all-time record of 17 with current Minnesota pitching coach Piper Marten; Hassett struck out 17 in a game earlier this season against Dartmouth. Catcher Shannon Stemper also picked up a career-high three hits in the victory.
Game two featured another solid pitching performance, this one by junior Katie Dalen. Dalen went the distance and surrendered only one earned run in the 5-2 win, improving to 7-6 on the year.
Minnesota has now won six straight against the Hoosiers and four of its first six Big Ten games for the first time since 2004.
HASSETT JOINS ELITE COMPANY
Briana Hassett has emerged as one of the Big Ten’s most dominant hurlers this season, but she is already stating her case as the best strikeout pitcher in the history of Golden Gopher softball. With her 17 strikeouts vs. Dartmouth Feb. 29 and 16 more against Indiana April 4, Hassett already owns the top two single game strikeout performances in Golden Gopher history. Her 446 strikeouts through just two and a half seasons already puts her fourth all-time on the Minnesota leaderboard.
Most Strikeouts/Game in Gopher History
17 - Briana Hassett vs. Dartmouth 2/29/08
17** - Piper Marten vs. Concordia-St. Paul 4/9/03
17** - Piper Marten vs. Iowa State 3/16/03
16 - Briana Hassett vs. Indiana 4/4/08
16 - Piper Marten vs. Indiana 4/4/03
15 - Piper Marten vs. Drake 4/17/02
15 - Piper Marten vs. Boston University. 2/15/02
15 - Heather Brown vs. Bethune-Cookman 3/24/99
15 - Jennifer Johnson vs. Cal State Fullerton 3/20/96
** Nine Innings
Most Career Strikeouts in Gopher History
1. 1,122 - Piper Marten (2001-04)
2. 540 - Angie Recknor (2000-03)
3. 528 - Jennifer Johnson (1993-97)
4. 446 - Briana Hassett (2006-pres.)
5. 413 - Steph Klaviter (1996-99)
6. 347 - Lyn Peyer (2002-05)
THE SERIES VS. PENN STATE
Minnesota owns a 32-12 record in the all-time series against Penn State. The Golden Gophers have won six of the last 10 games in the series. Minnesota is 16-8 all-time in home games against Penn State.
LAST TIME VS. THE NITTANY LIONS
Last season’s scheduled Gopher - Nittany Lion tilt in Stage College, Penn. was unfortunately one of seven Big Ten games the Gophers had canceled due to inclement weather. 2006 was the last time these two schools met, with Penn State winning twice in State College by identical 3-0 scores. The Gophers’ last victory in the series came in 2005.
THE SERIES VS. MICHIGAN
Michigan leads the all-time series against Minnesota by a 65-23 margin, including a 35-8 advantage in games played in Minneapolis. Before the Gophers’ 2-0 upset win last year in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines had won 11 straight in the series. Minnesota’s last win in the series was Briana Hassett’s 2-0 shutout victory in Ann Arbor last April 27.
EARLIER THIS YEAR VS. THE WOLVERINES
The Golden Gopher softball team lost its first contest at the rain-altered Louisville Tournament March 14, falling 7-2 to the ninth-ranked Michigan Wolverines in Louisville, Ken. The Gophers were down just 1-0 entering the fifth inning, but allowed five runs in that inning.
The loss snapped Minnesota’s 10-game winning streak, the team’s longest since 2002. Minnesota had not lost since Feb. 17.
Starter Katie Dalen held the powerful Michigan lineup in check for the first four frames before running into trouble in the fifth. Michigan’s Samantha Findlay went 2-for-3 with a double and home run in the contest, which was the Gophers’ first in nearly two weeks. After seeing the previous weekend’s Buzz Classic canceled due to snow and unplayable field conditions, Minnesota had not played since March 2.
Freshman Briana Sudenga and Malisa Barnes had doubles for the Gophers, with Sudenga’s driving in a run in the sixth (Minnesota scored single runs in both the sixth and seventh innings). Senior Amber Nelsen drove in the other run for Minnesota with an RBI hit-by-pitch in the seventh.
REMEMBERING AN UPSET
The Gophers’ Friday game against No. 9 Michigan will be their first since the teams played last April 27-28 in Ann Arbor. Minnesota’s victory over No. 9 Michigan last April 27 (a 2-0 shutout tossed by Briana Hassett) was its first over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 24 Pacific on March 11, 2005. It was the highest ranked opponent the Golden Gophers had beaten since knocking off No. 7 Cal State Fullerton on March 1, 2003, which snapped a 32-game winning streak for the Titans.
LIVE ON THE BTN
Unfortunately for softball fans around the country, not only did Sunday’s inclement weather prevent Minnesota and Purdue from playing their scheduled doubleheader, it also denied America its first look at Gopher softball this season. The April 6 doubleheader was meant to be broadcast on the Big Ten Network before being rained out.
On Sunday, April 20, Minnesota's doubleheader with the Iowa Hawkeyes will be shown live from Pearl Field in Iowa City. Those games will begin at 12 p.m.
STEMPER-IZED
One of just two returning starters to have played in every single game a year ago (along with third baseman Colleen Conway) Gopher catcher Shannon Stemper has stepped her game up a notch this season. Stemper hit a team-high .364 (4-for-11) during the opening weekend of Big Ten play, driving in three runs. She also had a career-high three hits in game one against Indiana April 4 and had two RBI doubles in the doubleheader.
So far this season, Stemper has hit .330 with a .423 on-base percentage and .455 slugging percentage. She currently leads the team with 19 RBIs and eight doubles.
Even more impressive has been Stemper’s defense behind the dish. The Burnsville, Minn. native has committed just one error in 85 games at catcher during her three-year Gopher career.
Location: Minneapolis, Minn.
Facility: Jane Sage Cowles Stadium
Dates: Friday, April 11, 6 p.m., Saturday, April 12, 12 p.m.
Live Video: Gold Zone video available Saturday
Live Stats: Live stats of both games against the Nittany Lions will be available via gophersports.com.
Series Information:
Series: Minnesota leads 32-12
Current Streak: PSU has won three straight
Longest Minnesota Streak: 10 (4/8/95-4/18/98)
Longest Penn State Streak: 3 (4/2/05-4/15/06)
Last Meeting: PSU 3-0, 3-0 at PSU, (4/14-15/06)
MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS vs. #6 MICHIGAN WOLVERINES (doubleheader)
Location: Minneapolis, Minn.
Facility: Jane Sage Cowles Stadium
Date: Sunday, Apr. 13, 12/2 p.m.
Live Stats: Live stats of both games against the Wolverines will be available via gophersports.com.
Series Information:
Series: Michigan leads 65-23
Current Streak: Michigan has won two straight
Longest Minnesota Streak: 6 (4/2/83-5/5/84)
Longest Michigan Streak: 18 (5/11/91-5/4/96)
Last Meeting: Mich. 5-1 @ Louisville Tournament, 3/15/08
PENN STATE, MICHIGAN COME TO TOWN
Fresh off a sucessful Big Ten home opening weekend, the Golden Gopher softball team (21-10, 4-2 Big Ten) hosts Penn State and No. 6 Michigan this weekend at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium. It will be the second home weekend for Minnesota, which swept a doubleheader from Indiana April 4 before being rained out against Purdue two days later.
The Gophers and Nittany Lions are scheduled to play single games Friday (6 p.m.) and Saturday (12 p.m.), with live video of Saturday’s game available in the Gold Zone via gophersports.com. The Wolverines and Gophers are set to play a doubleheader Sunday afternoon beginning at 12 p.m. Live stats for all games are available at gophersports.com.
GOPHERS SWEEP HOME OPENER WITH INDIANA
The Minnesota Golden Gopher softball team began last Friday not knowing whether or not they would play their scheduled game with Indiana. They finished the day with two more wins in Big Ten play.
Minnesota (21-10, 4-2 Big Ten) picked up two big wins in its home-opening doubleheader Friday night at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium in Minneapolis, beating the Hoosiers (9-25, 0-6) by scores of 7-3 and 5-2. The two teams were originally scheduled to play one game on Friday and another on Saturday, but elected to go with the Friday night doubleheader due to an ominous Saturday weather forecast.
In game one, it was junior pitcher Briana Hassett’s star that shone brightest. The Eagan, Minn. native struck out 16 hitters and allowed only six hits, improving her record to 14-4 on the season. Hassett’s 16-strikeout performance was the second-most in Gopher history. Hassett herself shares the all-time record of 17 with current Minnesota pitching coach Piper Marten; Hassett struck out 17 in a game earlier this season against Dartmouth. Catcher Shannon Stemper also picked up a career-high three hits in the victory.
Game two featured another solid pitching performance, this one by junior Katie Dalen. Dalen went the distance and surrendered only one earned run in the 5-2 win, improving to 7-6 on the year.
Minnesota has now won six straight against the Hoosiers and four of its first six Big Ten games for the first time since 2004.
HASSETT JOINS ELITE COMPANY
Briana Hassett has emerged as one of the Big Ten’s most dominant hurlers this season, but she is already stating her case as the best strikeout pitcher in the history of Golden Gopher softball. With her 17 strikeouts vs. Dartmouth Feb. 29 and 16 more against Indiana April 4, Hassett already owns the top two single game strikeout performances in Golden Gopher history. Her 446 strikeouts through just two and a half seasons already puts her fourth all-time on the Minnesota leaderboard.
Most Strikeouts/Game in Gopher History
17 - Briana Hassett vs. Dartmouth 2/29/08
17** - Piper Marten vs. Concordia-St. Paul 4/9/03
17** - Piper Marten vs. Iowa State 3/16/03
16 - Briana Hassett vs. Indiana 4/4/08
16 - Piper Marten vs. Indiana 4/4/03
15 - Piper Marten vs. Drake 4/17/02
15 - Piper Marten vs. Boston University. 2/15/02
15 - Heather Brown vs. Bethune-Cookman 3/24/99
15 - Jennifer Johnson vs. Cal State Fullerton 3/20/96
** Nine Innings
Most Career Strikeouts in Gopher History
1. 1,122 - Piper Marten (2001-04)
2. 540 - Angie Recknor (2000-03)
3. 528 - Jennifer Johnson (1993-97)
4. 446 - Briana Hassett (2006-pres.)
5. 413 - Steph Klaviter (1996-99)
6. 347 - Lyn Peyer (2002-05)
THE SERIES VS. PENN STATE
Minnesota owns a 32-12 record in the all-time series against Penn State. The Golden Gophers have won six of the last 10 games in the series. Minnesota is 16-8 all-time in home games against Penn State.
LAST TIME VS. THE NITTANY LIONS
Last season’s scheduled Gopher - Nittany Lion tilt in Stage College, Penn. was unfortunately one of seven Big Ten games the Gophers had canceled due to inclement weather. 2006 was the last time these two schools met, with Penn State winning twice in State College by identical 3-0 scores. The Gophers’ last victory in the series came in 2005.
THE SERIES VS. MICHIGAN
Michigan leads the all-time series against Minnesota by a 65-23 margin, including a 35-8 advantage in games played in Minneapolis. Before the Gophers’ 2-0 upset win last year in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines had won 11 straight in the series. Minnesota’s last win in the series was Briana Hassett’s 2-0 shutout victory in Ann Arbor last April 27.
EARLIER THIS YEAR VS. THE WOLVERINES
The Golden Gopher softball team lost its first contest at the rain-altered Louisville Tournament March 14, falling 7-2 to the ninth-ranked Michigan Wolverines in Louisville, Ken. The Gophers were down just 1-0 entering the fifth inning, but allowed five runs in that inning.
The loss snapped Minnesota’s 10-game winning streak, the team’s longest since 2002. Minnesota had not lost since Feb. 17.
Starter Katie Dalen held the powerful Michigan lineup in check for the first four frames before running into trouble in the fifth. Michigan’s Samantha Findlay went 2-for-3 with a double and home run in the contest, which was the Gophers’ first in nearly two weeks. After seeing the previous weekend’s Buzz Classic canceled due to snow and unplayable field conditions, Minnesota had not played since March 2.
Freshman Briana Sudenga and Malisa Barnes had doubles for the Gophers, with Sudenga’s driving in a run in the sixth (Minnesota scored single runs in both the sixth and seventh innings). Senior Amber Nelsen drove in the other run for Minnesota with an RBI hit-by-pitch in the seventh.
REMEMBERING AN UPSET
The Gophers’ Friday game against No. 9 Michigan will be their first since the teams played last April 27-28 in Ann Arbor. Minnesota’s victory over No. 9 Michigan last April 27 (a 2-0 shutout tossed by Briana Hassett) was its first over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 24 Pacific on March 11, 2005. It was the highest ranked opponent the Golden Gophers had beaten since knocking off No. 7 Cal State Fullerton on March 1, 2003, which snapped a 32-game winning streak for the Titans.
LIVE ON THE BTN
Unfortunately for softball fans around the country, not only did Sunday’s inclement weather prevent Minnesota and Purdue from playing their scheduled doubleheader, it also denied America its first look at Gopher softball this season. The April 6 doubleheader was meant to be broadcast on the Big Ten Network before being rained out.
On Sunday, April 20, Minnesota's doubleheader with the Iowa Hawkeyes will be shown live from Pearl Field in Iowa City. Those games will begin at 12 p.m.
STEMPER-IZED
One of just two returning starters to have played in every single game a year ago (along with third baseman Colleen Conway) Gopher catcher Shannon Stemper has stepped her game up a notch this season. Stemper hit a team-high .364 (4-for-11) during the opening weekend of Big Ten play, driving in three runs. She also had a career-high three hits in game one against Indiana April 4 and had two RBI doubles in the doubleheader.
So far this season, Stemper has hit .330 with a .423 on-base percentage and .455 slugging percentage. She currently leads the team with 19 RBIs and eight doubles.
Even more impressive has been Stemper’s defense behind the dish. The Burnsville, Minn. native has committed just one error in 85 games at catcher during her three-year Gopher career.
Players Mentioned
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/ SoftballHighlights: Gophers 5, SIUE 0
Tuesday, March 10
Highlights: Gophers 4, Indiana 6
Sunday, March 08
Highlights: Gophers 2, Indiana 0
Friday, March 06
Highlights: Gophers 6, Central Michigan 1
Saturday, February 21