University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Softball Opens Home Slate With Indiana, Purdue
4/3/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS vs. INDIANA HOOSIERS
Location: Minneapolis, Minn.
Facility: Jane Sage Cowles Stadium (1,000)
Dates: Friday, Apr. 4, 5 p.m. (Doubleheader)
Live Stats/Video: Live video of Friday and Saturday’s games will be available in the Gold Zone, weather permitting. Live stats for both games will be on gophersports.com.
SERIES INFORMATION:
Series: Minnesota leads 41-39
Current Streak: Minnesota has won four straight
Longest Minnesota Streak: 6 (3x, last 3/31/01-4/18/04)
Longest Indiana Streak: 8 (5/12/84-5/10/86)
Last Meeting: Minn. 5-4, 3-1 (4/15/07)
MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS vs. PURDUE BOILERMAKERS
Location: Minneapolis, Minn.
Facility: Jane Sage Cowles Stadium (1,000)
Date: Sunday, Apr. 6, 12/2 p.m.
Television: The doubleheader will be broadcast via tape delay on the Big Ten Network beginning at 5 p.m. Jenn Hildreth and Megan West will be on the call.
Live Stats: Available via gophersports.com
SERIES INFORMATION:
Series: Minnesota leads 17-15
Current Streak: Purdue has won five straight
Longest Minnesota Streak: 4 (twice, last 3/30/01-4/16/04)
Longest Purdue Streak: 5 (4/24/06-pres.)
Last Meeting: Purdue 4-3, 11-4 at Minn., (4/13-4/14/07)
HOME OPENER
The 19-10 Golden Gopher softball team is set to return home after over a month and a half on the road this weekend when they host Indiana and Purdue for four Big Ten games. Friday’s games with the Hoosiers will mark Minnesota’s first home game in 46 days, dating back to the end of the Metrodome Softball Classic Feb. 18.
This weekend will mark the 2008 debut of Jane Sage Cowles Stadium, Minnesota softball’s official home since 2000. The Gophers are 58-50 all-time at their current home field, including 4-4 in home openers.
FULL WEEKEND SLATE
The Indiana series, after originally appearing as two separate games, has been changed to a doul. Sunday’s doubleheader with Purdue is still set for noon and will be televised via tape delay on the Big Ten Network.
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. So far this season, Stemper has hit .305 with a .402 on-base percentage and is third on the team with 16 RBIs.
Even more impressive has been Stemper’s defense behind the dish. The Burnsville, Minn. native has committed just one error in 83 games at catcher during her three-year Gopher career.
HOT START IN THE MAKING
The Gophers’ two victories over Michigan State last weekend gave Minnesota its first back-to-back Big Ten road wins since the 2005 season (April 22-23 at Indiana). It also marks the first time since 1996 that the Gophers have begun the Big Ten season with two wins on the road.
The last time Minnesota started the Big Ten season 2-0 was 1998, when they won their first five conference contests en route to a third-place finish in the league and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
LIVE ON THE BTN
The Minnesota softball program will have four games broadcast on the Big Ten Network this season, according to an announcement by the network earlier this year. The Gophers' doubleheaders with Purdue (April 6 in Minneapolis) and Iowa (April 20 in Iowa City) will be featured on the BTN.
This Sunday’s Boilermaker Gopher match-up will be broadcast on a same-day tape delay on the Big Ten Network Sunday, April 6. The doubleheader will begin at 12 p.m. at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium in Minneapolis, and then be broadcast on television at 5 p.m. Central time. Jenn Hildreth (play-by-play) and Megan West will be on the call.
On Friday 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.
Big Ten Network is currently available in Minnesota on DirecTV (channel 220) and Dish Network (channel 439).
BIG TEN OPENER
The Gophers opened Big Ten play last weekend in solid fashion, sweeping the Spartans in East Lansing, Mich. before being swept in a doubleheader by No. 16 Northwestern.
Friday against Michigan State, Briana Hassett tossed a four-hit shutout in the 2-0 win. It was the seventh shutout and 12th win the season for Hassett, giving the righthander career highs in both categories.
The Gophers carried a 6-2 lead into the seventh inning of Saturday’s game before Briana Hassett struck out the final hitter of the game with the tying run on third base, giving Minnesota the sweep and a 6-5 win.
Fresh off their first 2-0 Big Ten start in a decade, the Golden Gophers experienced somewhat of a setback Sunday afternoon in Evanston, Ill. Minnesota was swept in an eventful doubleheader by the 16th-ranked and back-to-back College World Series semifinalist Northwestern Wildcats, dropping game one 5-2 and game two 17-8 (in six innings).
SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE
Minnesota’s unpredictable winter and spring weather has traditionally forced the Golden Gopher to play the majority of their early games on the road in warmer climates. This season has been no exception, other than the fact that Gophers’ road weather has been less-than-desirable. Since leaving Minneapolis after the 2008 Metrodome Softball Classic Feb. 16-18, Minnesota has played 18 games on the road, traveling to three tournaments and two separate Big Ten opponents. The Gophers are 13-5 in those games and have accumulated over 3,500 travel miles in the 46 days between home dates.
THE SERIES VS. INDIANA
The series between Minnesota and Indiana, which began in 1982, is currently led by Minnesota 41-39. The Golden Gophers have won ten of the last 11 meetings in the series. Minnesota is 19-12 all-time in games played in Minneapolis. The Hoosiers won 14 of the first 16 meetings between the two teams.
LAST YEAR VS. THE HOOSIERS
The University of Minnesota softball team took two games from the Indiana Hoosiers on Sunday at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium. The Golden Gophers (15-16, 2-4 Big Ten) defeated IU 5-4 in extra innings on the strength of Shannon Stemper’s game-winning single in the bottom of the eighth of game one and carried the momentum into the second game, downing the Hoosiers 3-1.
THE SERIES VS. PURDUE
Minnesota leads the all-time series against Purdue by a 17-15 margin, but is 6-8 against the Boilermakers in Minneapolis. Purdue has won the last five meetings between the schools.
LAST YEAR VS. THE BOILERMAKERS
After seeing the first two home weekends of Big Ten play canceled due to weather and field issues, Minnesota finally was able to play last April 13 and 14 against Purdue at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium. Unfortunately, Purdue won both games and knocked the Gophers to 0-4 in Big Ten play. The Golden Gophers had a 3-0 lead and appeared to be in control of Friday’s game heading into the sixth inning, but the Boilermakers scored two in the sixth and one in the seventh to force extra innings, scoring the winning run in the top of the ninth.
Saturday’s game also went the Boilers’ way, this time by an 11-4 margin. Minnesota fell behind 4-1 after an inning, but clawed its way to a tie game in the third. Despite a three-RBI performance by Mandy Valadez, the Gophers surrendered three runs in the bottom of the third and four more in the fifth.
MOVE EM ON UP
Junior Colleen Conway is among the Big Ten’s leaders with seven sacrifice bunts on the season. With the potential to beat out every throw with her blazing speed, Conway has been a key factor in helping move runners up to generate offense for the Gophers. She currently ranks 58th in the nation in that category after finishing last season 16th (she had 16 sacrifices in 2007).
PUTTING THE BALL IN PLAY
Minnesota’s offensive philosophy this season has changed somewhat from 2007. A year ago, Minnesota launched an impressive 28 home runs in just 46 games. However, that team also struck out 251 times in 1,309 plate appearances (once per 5.215 times at bat).
After graduating their top four power threats from a year ago, the Gophers have focused more on manufacturing runs in 2008, and appear to have been successful in this goal. Minnesota has hit just 10 home runs as a team through 29 games, but is only striking out once every 6.314 plate appearances (137 times in 865 plate appearances).
Location: Minneapolis, Minn.
Facility: Jane Sage Cowles Stadium (1,000)
Dates: Friday, Apr. 4, 5 p.m. (Doubleheader)
Live Stats/Video: Live video of Friday and Saturday’s games will be available in the Gold Zone, weather permitting. Live stats for both games will be on gophersports.com.
SERIES INFORMATION:
Series: Minnesota leads 41-39
Current Streak: Minnesota has won four straight
Longest Minnesota Streak: 6 (3x, last 3/31/01-4/18/04)
Longest Indiana Streak: 8 (5/12/84-5/10/86)
Last Meeting: Minn. 5-4, 3-1 (4/15/07)
MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS vs. PURDUE BOILERMAKERS
Location: Minneapolis, Minn.
Facility: Jane Sage Cowles Stadium (1,000)
Date: Sunday, Apr. 6, 12/2 p.m.
Television: The doubleheader will be broadcast via tape delay on the Big Ten Network beginning at 5 p.m. Jenn Hildreth and Megan West will be on the call.
Live Stats: Available via gophersports.com
SERIES INFORMATION:
Series: Minnesota leads 17-15
Current Streak: Purdue has won five straight
Longest Minnesota Streak: 4 (twice, last 3/30/01-4/16/04)
Longest Purdue Streak: 5 (4/24/06-pres.)
Last Meeting: Purdue 4-3, 11-4 at Minn., (4/13-4/14/07)
HOME OPENER
The 19-10 Golden Gopher softball team is set to return home after over a month and a half on the road this weekend when they host Indiana and Purdue for four Big Ten games. Friday’s games with the Hoosiers will mark Minnesota’s first home game in 46 days, dating back to the end of the Metrodome Softball Classic Feb. 18.
This weekend will mark the 2008 debut of Jane Sage Cowles Stadium, Minnesota softball’s official home since 2000. The Gophers are 58-50 all-time at their current home field, including 4-4 in home openers.
FULL WEEKEND SLATE
The Indiana series, after originally appearing as two separate games, has been changed to a doul. Sunday’s doubleheader with Purdue is still set for noon and will be televised via tape delay on the Big Ten Network.
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. So far this season, Stemper has hit .305 with a .402 on-base percentage and is third on the team with 16 RBIs.
Even more impressive has been Stemper’s defense behind the dish. The Burnsville, Minn. native has committed just one error in 83 games at catcher during her three-year Gopher career.
HOT START IN THE MAKING
The Gophers’ two victories over Michigan State last weekend gave Minnesota its first back-to-back Big Ten road wins since the 2005 season (April 22-23 at Indiana). It also marks the first time since 1996 that the Gophers have begun the Big Ten season with two wins on the road.
The last time Minnesota started the Big Ten season 2-0 was 1998, when they won their first five conference contests en route to a third-place finish in the league and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
LIVE ON THE BTN
The Minnesota softball program will have four games broadcast on the Big Ten Network this season, according to an announcement by the network earlier this year. The Gophers' doubleheaders with Purdue (April 6 in Minneapolis) and Iowa (April 20 in Iowa City) will be featured on the BTN.
This Sunday’s Boilermaker Gopher match-up will be broadcast on a same-day tape delay on the Big Ten Network Sunday, April 6. The doubleheader will begin at 12 p.m. at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium in Minneapolis, and then be broadcast on television at 5 p.m. Central time. Jenn Hildreth (play-by-play) and Megan West will be on the call.
On Friday 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.
Big Ten Network is currently available in Minnesota on DirecTV (channel 220) and Dish Network (channel 439).
BIG TEN OPENER
The Gophers opened Big Ten play last weekend in solid fashion, sweeping the Spartans in East Lansing, Mich. before being swept in a doubleheader by No. 16 Northwestern.
Friday against Michigan State, Briana Hassett tossed a four-hit shutout in the 2-0 win. It was the seventh shutout and 12th win the season for Hassett, giving the righthander career highs in both categories.
The Gophers carried a 6-2 lead into the seventh inning of Saturday’s game before Briana Hassett struck out the final hitter of the game with the tying run on third base, giving Minnesota the sweep and a 6-5 win.
Fresh off their first 2-0 Big Ten start in a decade, the Golden Gophers experienced somewhat of a setback Sunday afternoon in Evanston, Ill. Minnesota was swept in an eventful doubleheader by the 16th-ranked and back-to-back College World Series semifinalist Northwestern Wildcats, dropping game one 5-2 and game two 17-8 (in six innings).
SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE
Minnesota’s unpredictable winter and spring weather has traditionally forced the Golden Gopher to play the majority of their early games on the road in warmer climates. This season has been no exception, other than the fact that Gophers’ road weather has been less-than-desirable. Since leaving Minneapolis after the 2008 Metrodome Softball Classic Feb. 16-18, Minnesota has played 18 games on the road, traveling to three tournaments and two separate Big Ten opponents. The Gophers are 13-5 in those games and have accumulated over 3,500 travel miles in the 46 days between home dates.
THE SERIES VS. INDIANA
The series between Minnesota and Indiana, which began in 1982, is currently led by Minnesota 41-39. The Golden Gophers have won ten of the last 11 meetings in the series. Minnesota is 19-12 all-time in games played in Minneapolis. The Hoosiers won 14 of the first 16 meetings between the two teams.
LAST YEAR VS. THE HOOSIERS
The University of Minnesota softball team took two games from the Indiana Hoosiers on Sunday at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium. The Golden Gophers (15-16, 2-4 Big Ten) defeated IU 5-4 in extra innings on the strength of Shannon Stemper’s game-winning single in the bottom of the eighth of game one and carried the momentum into the second game, downing the Hoosiers 3-1.
THE SERIES VS. PURDUE
Minnesota leads the all-time series against Purdue by a 17-15 margin, but is 6-8 against the Boilermakers in Minneapolis. Purdue has won the last five meetings between the schools.
LAST YEAR VS. THE BOILERMAKERS
After seeing the first two home weekends of Big Ten play canceled due to weather and field issues, Minnesota finally was able to play last April 13 and 14 against Purdue at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium. Unfortunately, Purdue won both games and knocked the Gophers to 0-4 in Big Ten play. The Golden Gophers had a 3-0 lead and appeared to be in control of Friday’s game heading into the sixth inning, but the Boilermakers scored two in the sixth and one in the seventh to force extra innings, scoring the winning run in the top of the ninth.
Saturday’s game also went the Boilers’ way, this time by an 11-4 margin. Minnesota fell behind 4-1 after an inning, but clawed its way to a tie game in the third. Despite a three-RBI performance by Mandy Valadez, the Gophers surrendered three runs in the bottom of the third and four more in the fifth.
MOVE EM ON UP
Junior Colleen Conway is among the Big Ten’s leaders with seven sacrifice bunts on the season. With the potential to beat out every throw with her blazing speed, Conway has been a key factor in helping move runners up to generate offense for the Gophers. She currently ranks 58th in the nation in that category after finishing last season 16th (she had 16 sacrifices in 2007).
PUTTING THE BALL IN PLAY
Minnesota’s offensive philosophy this season has changed somewhat from 2007. A year ago, Minnesota launched an impressive 28 home runs in just 46 games. However, that team also struck out 251 times in 1,309 plate appearances (once per 5.215 times at bat).
After graduating their top four power threats from a year ago, the Gophers have focused more on manufacturing runs in 2008, and appear to have been successful in this goal. Minnesota has hit just 10 home runs as a team through 29 games, but is only striking out once every 6.314 plate appearances (137 times in 865 plate appearances).
| 2007 | 2008 | |
| Plate appearances: | 1,309 | 865 |
| Strikeouts: | 251 | 137 |
| K/PA Rate: | 5.2 | 6.3 |
Players Mentioned
IF
/ SoftballP
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