University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Hosts Green Bay for Mid-Week Doubleheader
4/10/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 10, 2012
The University of Minnesota softball team looks to get back on track in a non-conference mid-week doubleheader against Green Bay after losing its last four contests. The Gophers (21-13) and Phoenix (12-13) have their first game scheduled for 2 p.m. with their second slated to follow at 4 p.m.
Last Weekend: Wisconsin
The Gophers had a weekend of woes in Madison, Wis. as they got swept by the bordering rival. The Badgers opened up the series with becoming only the fourth team this season to shutout Minnesota, 3-0. The following day, UW would claim the series with a 5-1 win in the first game of the doubleheader. In the second game, Minnesota forfeited an eight-run lead to Wisconsin. The Gophers ended up losing 11-10 and allowed the sweep.
Scouting Green Bay
The Phoenix (12-13) make the trip to Minneapolis, Minn. after taking 2-of-3 games from Detroit on the road last weekend.
Offensively, Hailey Mohrfeld poses the biggest threat in the Green Bay offense as she leads the team in runs (13), hits (24), and stolen bases (8-for-8). The freshman infielder hoists a .296 batting average. Sophomore Miranda Reinke has the top batting average on the team at .345.
Green Bay has gotten by this season with mainly throwing two pitchers: Ashley Nannemann and Allison Goecks. Nannemann leads the team in wins with eight (8-6) while Goecks has the lowest ERA on the roster at 2.59 and most strikeouts (33). The Phoenix pitching staff has only allowed four home runs this season.
All-time Series
Minnesota holds the all-time series advantage at 32-2. The two last faced off in 2008 with the Golden Gophers claimed two shutout victories over the Phoenix, 4-0 and 8-0. The last time Green Bay defeated the Maroon and Gold was a 9-5 triumph in 2000.
Going…Going…Gone!
Minnesota has a total of 37 home runs on the season, which is the second most in Gopher history for a single season. The most in school history is 43, which was hit during the 1999 season.
Defensive Dominance
Despite having a youthful squad, the Gophers have proven to be the top defensive team in the league. Minnesota has the top fielding percentage in the Big Ten (.971) and has committed only 29 errors on the year. They also have allowed the fewest runs in the conference (87).
Gophers Have Mercy
The Maroon and Gold utilized the eight-run mercy rule eight times this season. The team record is 10, which was set back in 1999.
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 while Solie has been a standout on the pitch the past four seasons and was named a second team All-Big Ten defender. This softball season, Solie has stolen four bases and scored eight times while Pafko has two stolen base and scored five times.
Looking Fresh
For the first time since 1994, the Gophers opened the season with six freshmen in the starting lineup. Minnesota is one of four teams in the nation to start at least six freshmen this season. The other schools are IUPU-Indianapolis, IP-Fort Wayne, USC Upstate and Florida.
Eckstrom Streaks into the Week
Freshman Madie Eckstrom carries an eight-game hitting streak into the mid-week games against Green Bay. Her streak is tied for the team's longest this season.
Cleaning Up in the Fourth
Minnesota has proven to be an explosive offense, and they seem to be at their best in the fourth inning. The Maroon and Gold have outscored their opponents 44-9 in the fourth inning, which is also their highest scoring inning on the year.
Magic Number: Five
The Gophers have proven to be tough to beat when they score five or more runs in a contest. They hoist a 15-1 record when they reach that run total.
