University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Travels to Littlewood Classic in Arizona
2/16/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 16, 2012
The University of Minnesota softball team opened up the season with an impressive 3-1 record in Las Vegas, Nev., but the Gophers now head to Tempe, Ariz. for the Littlewood Classic where they will play five games. Two of the Gophers' five games will be against NCAA Tournament qualifiers in Illinois State and defending National Champion Arizona State.
Game Schedule
Friday, February 17
Iowa State 10 a.m.
Central Michigan 2 p.m.
Saturday, February 18
Illinois State 4 p.m.
Arizona State 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 19
Iowa State 10 a.m.
Looking Fresh
The Gophers opened the 2012 season with six freshmen in the starting lineup, including three that filled the top three spots in the batting order. The production from the class as a whole was unreal as they went a combined 19-63 (.302) with four homeruns and 12 RBI.
Moulton Named Pitcher of the Week
Sophomore pitcher Sara Moulton was tagged as the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week for her efforts in the opening weekend of the season. Moulton went 2-1 on the weekend and threw 19 complete innings allowing only three hits, two runs and striking out 24 batters. The sophomore hurler also pitched the 15th no-hitter in Minnesota history in the season opener against Kent State.
Dorle Drops Two Bombs
Junior catcher Kari Dorle launched a pair of homeruns again CSU Bakersfield this past weekend. Dorle is the first player to do so since Malisa Barnes did so back on May 12, 2010 against Wisconsin. In the game versus CSUB, the North St. Paul, Minn. native was only a triple away from hitting for the cycle.
Clearing the Bases
Minnesota tallied a total of six homeruns in this past weekend's four games at the Sportco Kick-Off Classic. Dorle and freshman Tyler Walker each hit for two while freshmen Kaitlyn Richardson and Hannah Granger each had one.
Moulton's No-No
Moulton threw a no-hitter in the season opener against Kent State, which was only the 15th time in Gopher history. In the game, the sophomore pitcher fanned nine batters and only allowed a KSU player to reach base four times. The last Gopher to record a no-hitter was Briana Hassett when she did so against South Dakota State on April 24, 2007.
Defensive Dominance
The Gophers played stifling defense in the first four games of the season as they only garnered two errors and allowed a total of seven hits and two runs. The team posted a combined fielding percentage of .976 while the pitchers kept runners of the bases by striking out 27 batters on the weekend.
Shutting Down Opponents
Minnesota has recorded three shutouts in four games thus far in the 2012 season. It is the first time since the 2005 season that a Gopher team has accomplished that feat. It is also the fewest number of runs allowed in the first four games of a season since the 2005 campaign. Minnesota has only allowed two runs while the Gophers in 2005 surrendered one.
Trading Boots for Spikes
The Gophers have added two unique players to the roster this season in seniors Alex Pafko and Josie Solie, who both were on the Golden Gopher soccer team this past fall. Pafko transferred to Minnesota from St. Cloud State this past summer. Solie has been a standout on the pitch the past four seasons and was named a second team All-Big Ten defender. So far this season, Solie is the only one of the two former soccer players to see action. The Mahtomedi, Minn. native has served as a pinch runner in two games and has scored one run.
Sizing Up the Competition
Iowa State
The Cyclones return nine starters from a squad that went 21-28 last spring, and they have gone 2-1 thus far this season. ISU is spearheaded by junior Tori Torrescano. The pitcher/infielder is 4-8 at the plate this season with two homeruns while also going 2-0 in the circle with a 1.56 ERA. Junior Erica Miller also poses as an offensive threat after going 4-9 this past weekend with one homerun.
Central Michigan
Central Michigan has yet to play a game in the 2012 season, and they are coming off a 32-21 record in 2011. The Chippewas return six starters to the lineup but have lost four players from last season squad, who combined to make up 45% of the team's offense. CMU will look towards senior Molly Coldren and junior Macy Merchant to lead the offense this season. Coldren led the team last year with 14 homeruns, and she has the top returning batting average at .409. Merchant hit .340 last season and stole a team high 23 bases.
Illinois State
The Redbirds are coming off a 36-19 season where they won the Missouri Valley Conference and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. ISU return seven position starters and their top two pitchers from last season. Thus far this season, Illinois State is 3-1 thanks to impressive performances by pitcher Jordan Birch. Birch was named MVC Pitcher of the Week for going 3-0 while throwing 11-scoreless innings and fanning 20 batters.
Arizona State
The Sun Devils are coming off a title season as they won the 2011 National Championship with a 60-6 record. With returning five starters from the championship squad, ASU has gone 5-2 this season. They return a pair of All-Americans in senior shortstop Katelyn Boyd and sophomore pitcher Dallas Escobedo, who both have been named to the 2012 Top 50 USA Softball Player of the Year list. Boyd went 6-16 this past weekend with one homerun and eight walks. Escobedo went 1-1 to open play this season and has recorded 22 strikeouts.
