University of Minnesota Athletics
Softball Begins Florida Gulf Coast Invite
2/25/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Back to Florida
The Golden Gophers return to Florida this weekend for a four-day stay, playing six games at the Florida Gulf Coast Spring Break Invite. They open up with tournament host Florida Gulf Coast on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 5:00 p.m. before playing two more games on Friday, two on Saturday and their final game of the weekend on Sunday morning. Minnesota will meet up with Connecticut, Georgia Southern, Eastern Michigan, and Villanova in Fort Myers.
The Records
After a 1-4 clip last weekend, the Gophers enter this week with a 4-7 record overall. Host Florida Gulf Coast begins the tournament with a 2-6 record, while Georgia Southern and Villanova sport identical 2-3 marks. Connecticut and Eastern Michigan will each be playing their first games of the season this weekend.
The Series
Against Florida Gulf Coast the Gophers are 1-0 all time, and they hold the same mark against Connecticut. Against Georgia Southern and Eastern Michigan they are 2-1, and when they meet Villanova, it will mark the first meeting between the schools.
Last Match-up
The Gopher's most recent meeting with their Spring Break Invite opponents game just last season, falling 5-2 in eight innings to Eastern Michigan. Minnesota met Georgia Southern last in the 2008 season, matching up twice and winning each contest, 8-0 and 4-1 respectively. In 2003 the Gophers last played Connecticut, winning 3-1.
Follow Along
Fans can follow along with all the action from the Spring Break Invitational, courtesy of Florida Gulf Coast. FCGU will be running live stats throughout the weekend, covering each game of the tournament. Also on the tournament web page, each score update and recap will be posted as they games finish. To access all the information, just visit FGCUAthletics.com
Last Time Out
Last weekend, the Golden Gophers went 1-4 at the Florida Atlantic Kick-off Classic, dropping their last three to close out the weekend. The began with a tough 2-0 loss to Pittsburgh in the opener, but rebounded with a 1-0 win over Mississippi to finish off Friday. On Saturday they lost twice, to Kentucky and host Florida Atlantic, and on Sunday they fell to Pitt again in the fifth place game.
Next Up
The Gophers run in the Sunshine State ends next week as they head west, thought only slightly. On Mar. 4-7, Minnesota plays in the Georgia Bulldog Invitational in Athens, Ga. There will also meet, Kennesaw State, Middle Tennessee State, Elon and Belmont in addition to host Georgia.
