University of Minnesota Athletics
Hawkeyes Visit Cowles Stadium On BTN
5/7/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Border Battle
The Gophers' current home stand continues with another weekend series, and this time it's rivalry week. Neighbor to the south, Iowa, comes north for a pair of games on May 8 and 9. Each game is set for a 1:00 p.m. start out at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium. The the third and fourth of a six-game home stand, each tilt with the Hawkeyes will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network, with Marney Gellner and Jennie Ritter on the call.
The Records
The Gophers dropped a pair of games last weekend and fall to 15-33 overall, with a 1-13 mark in Big Ten action. Their conference record leaves them alone in 11th place in the Big Ten standings, as they have now lost 13 straight. Iowa is also in the midst of a slump, as the Hawkeyes have lost a season high seven straight to sit at 23-21 on the year and 8-7 in league play. In the Big Ten, Iowa currently sits in fifth place.
The Series
The Hawkeyes have the control in the all-time series, holding a 53-36 edge as one of the Gophers most played rivalries. Iowa's 53 wins are the second most over Minnesota by one team, bettered only by the 72 wins that Michigan can boast. In the last ten meetings, the Hawkeyes are 9-1 against the Gophers and since the turn of the century, are 16-2 in the series. Minnesota's last win came in the 2008 season, a 1-0 victory in 13 innings over No. 25 Iowa to earn a series split in Iowa City.
Last Match-Up
Last season the two teams met in Iowa City, Iowa, with the host Hawkeyes claiming two shutouts for the sweep. The Gophers fell 0-2 in game one, despite out-hitting the Hawkeyes 5-to-3. Iowa scored in the second and fourth innings for the win. In the second the Gophers managed just two hits in a 3-0 loss to end the 2009 season. All three Hawkeye runs came in the third inning.
Follow Along
Softball fans, if you can not make it out to Cowles Stadium this weekend, be sure to check out Big Ten Network to watch the live broadcast of each game. The broadcast each day will begin at 1:00 p.m. in the BTN. Check you local listings for station availability. If you are not near a TV, follow the with Live Stats through GopherSports.com. To log on just visit the softball schedule page on www.GopherSports.com.
Last Time Out
In two games last weekend, the Gophers fell twice at home to Purdue. The Boilermakers scored a 7-0 win on May 1, and closed the weekend with a 11-2 tally in six innings on May. 2
Next Up
A rare home midweek game is on the schedule for next week, as Wisconsin visits to close out the Gophers home season. A doubleheader on May 12, the first game is set for a 4:00 p.m. start.
Scouting Iowa
23-21 on the season, and 8-7 in Big Ten play. currently in a season long seven game losing streak. Were 7-1 in the Big Ten Before the streak. Last win was on Apr. 18, and last Big Ten win on Apr. 14. Went 42-16 in 2009 and placed fourth in the Big Ten with a 13-7 mark. Are 6-8 in road games in 2010. Boast five players batting over .300, led by Lindsey Digmann with a .357 avg, and a team high 50 hits. Chelsey Carmody leads with seven home runs, and 30 RBI, as well as six doubles. Amanda Zust leads in the Circle with a 14-10 record and a 2.60 ERA , and 17 complete games. Zust has pitched 185.2 innings and struck out 105. She is allowing batters just a .249 average. Hawkeyes were on a 14-3 run before current losing skid.
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.
