University of Minnesota Athletics
Midweek Set Features Northwestern
4/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Midweek Double-Dip
The Gophers get their first mid-week doubleheader of the Big Ten season today, as they travel to Evanston to face Northwestern at Sharon J. Drysdale Field. The Gophers and Wildcats are set for a the first pitch at 2:00 p.m. with game two set to begin right after. This will mark just the second time the Gophers have played a mid-week game this season, with the first being two losses to New Mexico State on Tuesday Mar. 16.
The Records
The Gophers enter the game with a 15-25 record on the season, and have lost their last five. In big ten action, Minnesota is 1-5 on the year. Northwestern counters with an even 16-16 record, but is also mired in a five game losing skid. in Big Ten play they sit at 2-3, but last played a league game one week ago on the road at Iowa.
The Series
In a relatively even series through the years, Northwestern has the current hold on the advantage at 44-40 over Minnesota. The two-teams split last year, with Minnesota winning game-two of the doubleheader in Minneapolis. The Gopher victory snapped a 10-game Wildcat winning streak in the series and was Minnesota's first win over Northwestern since 2004. The Gophers last swept the Wildcats in 2003.
Last Match-Up
Last season at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium, the two teams split, with the Wildcats winning 6-1 in the first game, and the Gophers coming back for an 8-3 win in the second game. Ranked No. 6 entering the game, Northwestern suffered their first Big Ten loss in game two as Minnesota scored six runs in the fourth and fifth innings to break the game open. Briana Hassett got the win, while racking up seven strikeouts.
Follow Along
Both of the Gophers games today can be seen live on BigTenNetwork.com. The live stream can be accessed on the GopherSports.com schedule page. Each game will also be available on gametracker, courtesy of Northwestern and NUSports.com. To find the live stat link, log on to the Northwestern softball schedule page.
Last Time Out
Last weekend the Gophers ran into the buzzsaw that is the Michigan Wolverines, and suffered a pair of shutouts at 9-0 and 10-0. In the first game, the Wolverines pitched a perfect game, winning 9-0 in five innings. In game two, the Gophers tallied just one hit in another five-inning game, falling 10-0.
Next Up
Later this week, the Gophers get to return home to face Indiana at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium for a weekend series on Apr. 17 and 18. Each game is set for a 1:00 p.m. start, and the Hoosiers currently stand at 8-24 overall and 1-5 in Big Ten play. After hosting the Hoosiers, the Gophers get back on the road and travel to Ohio State on Apr. 24 and 25.
Scouting Northwestern
Currently 16-16 on the season and 2-3 in the Big Ten. Opened Big Ten play with two wins over Purdue on Mar. 27 and 28, but have not won since. Have lost five straight, including two to No. 18 Illinois and two to No. 6 Alabama last weekend. Lost in eight innings to No. 5 UCLA on Feb. 27. Placed third in the Big Ten last season with 14-6 conference record and a 31-15 record overall. Have advanced to the NCAA Tournament every season since 2003, the second longest active streak in the conference behind Michigan. Went 0-2 at the NCAA Regionals last season. Adrienne Monka was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year last season and a NFCA All-American. Northwestern is near the bottom of the league in batting at .248, and rank low in pitching with a 3.62 ERA. Are 2-2 at home and 2-1 in mid-week games.
Get Score Updates on Your Phone
Fans can get scoring updates from all of Golden Gopher athletics through the Twitter page @GopherScores. Just find and follow @GopherScores, then set up your phone or mobile device to receive the text updates. If you are not already on Twitter, you will need to create an account.
Twitter
Follow the Golden Gophers on Twitter. Just search @gophersoftball on Twitter to follow all the news updates.
