University of Minnesota Athletics
Fall Softball Update: Meet the Gopher Freshmen
9/11/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
A year after advancing to the semifinal round of the Big Ten Tournament for the first time since 1999, the Golden Gopher softball program is poised for another jump in the Big Ten standings this season. Minnesota’s 29-16 (.644) record from the 2008 season represents the program’s best winning percentage since the 2002 season and the fewest losses for the program since the 1982 campaign.
Central to the Gophers’ hopes for a return to the Big Ten’s biggest stage will be how Minnesota’s incoming freshman class integrates itself into the program. Lindsey Pockl (Green Bay, Wis.), Dannie Skrove (Zimmerman, Minn.) and Alissa Koch (Racine, Wis.) represent a class predicated on quality if not quantity. The three Gopher freshmen took some time between class and a busy fall practice schedule to talk with gophersports.com about their summer softball experiences, their feelings on Olympic softball and how they are acclimating to life at Minnesota...
Lindsey Pockl
Green Bay, Wis.
Utility
What were you up to this summer?
This summer, like many summers in the past, was all about softball. Although my summer team didn’t do as well as we would’ve liked, we still placed in a few tournaments. We won the Wisconsin ASA Class A State Championship and finished second in the Northern National Championship last year. I also umpired 12-16 year-old girls softball and taught preschool and kindergarten “tumbling and teamwork.”
How closely did you follow the Olympic softball team in Beijing this summer?
I have written three papers on this topic in high school on how much of a disgrace it is that softball has been taken out of the Olympics. Since many people don’t know about the WPSL, Olympic softball and Team USA, the Olympics are viewed as the highest level a softball player can play at, and many young softball players dream and strive to be part of it. Because many kids want to be professional athletes, and without that dream allowed to become a reality in softball, I think that many young players will either turn away from the sport or not allow it to be their primary sport, strongly hurting the game of softball in the long run.
What are you looking forward to most about your college experience?
Playing softball in college has been my dream since I was 12 years old, and the fact that my dream is becoming a reality as a Gopher is mind-blowing. Off the field, I am excited to meet new people and figuring out how to live independently!
Are you looking forward to your classes?
I am looking forward to my fall classes, even though most of them that I am taking are required freshman classes. I am most excited about the new independent learning atmosphere!
What non-softball sport do you follow closest?
I always like to watch a good baseball game. Go Yankees!!
The Gophers made it to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament last year for the first time in almost a decade. What is it like to come in and become a part of a program on the rise?
Regardless of the Gophers making it to the semifinals, I am very excited to be part of this program; the team making it to the Big Ten Tournament for the first time in a while is just icing on the cake! I think that this team is going to continue to strive and surprise, and I’m very excited to be a part of that in these next few years.
What has been your greatest sports thrill through your high school years?
Softball wise, I think it’s a tie between winning the ASA Class A State Championship and placing second at the ASA Class A Northern Nationals in 2007, and coming back from a first game loss in 107 degree temperature to playing 7 games back to back to place second in a tournament in 2006. I also helped lead our girls cross country team to its first City Title in 18 years by only one point.
What played the greatest role in your choosing to come to Minneapolis to play softball?
Besides the U of M’s highly recognized academics, the campus is the most beautiful campus on earth! I love the city atmosphere. Since my older sister Lauren has played there for 4 years, I already am familiar with the coaches, the team, and the way the U works, and have fallen head over heels for all of it.
Dannie Skrove
Zimmerman, MN
Utility
What were you up to this summer?
I played on a Minnesota Club team all summer named the Minnesota Sting Elite. We had a very successful season and won two state tournaments. We finished 7th out of 36 teams at the Louisville Tournament in Colorado. Our team took first at the Northern National Qualifier in Sioux Falls, and we finished first in the White Bear Lake College Showcase. We had a great finish to the season by placing 2nd out of 120 teams at the 18UASA Nationals in Moline, Illinois.
How closely did you follow the Olympic team in Beijing this summer?
I love watching the Olympic team play! I am really disappointed that this will be the last Olympics that softball is an event. I think softball is just getting to the point where it is becoming a very competitive sport around the country and girls are setting goals to play college ball and to maybe one day try to make it to the Olympics. I think it will dampen girls’ dreams to succeed in the sport and could cause some to pursue a different sport that would allow them to play past their college career.
What are you looking forward to most about your college experience?
I am definitely looking forward to playing softball for the Gophers. It has been a dream and goal of mine since I started playing fastpitch in sixth grade. I am excited to be a part of a great team of girls, and strive to be the best we can be. Off the field I am looking forward to meeting new people and receiving a great education to pursue my career goals.
What non-softball sport do you follow closest?
The Twins!
The Gophers made it to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament last year for the first time in almost a decade. What is it like to come in and become a part of a program on the rise?
It was very exciting to watch the Gophers last season, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to play softball at Minnesota! I am ready to contribute to the team in any way that I can.
What has been your greatest sports thrill through your high school years?
My greatest sports thrill during high school was be making varsity softball as a freshman at Elk River and playing as the starting shortstop all four years. I also was chosen to play in the Senior All-Star games which were an honor to participate in, and were a lot of fun.
What played the greatest role in your choosing to come to Minneapolis to play softball?
I have attended Gopher camps since I was 12. I always loved camp and had a positive experience because of the atmosphere that the coaches and players created. They were always welcoming and a joy to be around. Although camp was tough, I liked the coaching styles and how the Gophers interacted with each other and the younger campers. I have wanted to be a Gopher for a long time and this fall is the start of what I hope is a very successful and enjoyable career as a student-athlete.
Alissa Koch
Racine, WI
Pitcher
What were you up to this summer?
I played for the Racine Belles 18U team this summer. We won ASA State and USSSA Nationals. At Nationals, I received the Most Valuable Pitcher award.
How closely did you follow the Olympic team in Beijing this summer?
I watched whenever I could. I saw their 11-0 win over Venezuela in the opening round. I think it’s definitely a shame [that softball is being eliminated from the Olympic slate]. In my opinion, softball is growing in popularity. Hopefully, softball’s elimination from the Olympics won’t affect that.
What are you looking forward to most about your college experience?
I’m excited to be a part of a great team and to see where I am going to fit in on the field. Off the field, I’m looking forward to meeting new people and finding what I want to do with the rest of my life.
What non-softball team do you follow closest?
I follow baseball and the Brewers are my favorite team.
The Gophers made it to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament last year for the first time in almost a decade. What is it like to come in and become a part of a program on the rise?
It feels great. I’m excited to help the team get further in any way I can.
What has been your greatest sports thrill through your high school years?
My junior year, I threw a no-hitter the first game of the State Tournament. That was easily my greatest sports thrill as a high school athlete.
What played the greatest role in your choosing to come to Minneapolis to play softball?
I love Minnesota because it’s close to the city, the campus is amazing, and it’s not too far from home.
