University of Minnesota Athletics
Groenewegen Nabs Third Big Ten Award
3/16/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Big Ten Release
ROSEMONT, Ill. - Minnesota softball sophomore Sara Groenewegen was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week for the third time this season, the conference announced Monday afternoon. The honor was her fourth-career Big Ten Pitcher of the Week accolade and seventh weekly conference award.
The reigning Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, Groenewegen was last named the conference's pitcher of the week March 2. Three Gophers have combined to win six weekly honors this season
Groenewegen had another standout weekend in the circle for Minnesota, going 3-0 with a 0.64 ERA. Groenewegen tossed three complete-game wins on the weekend, allowing just 12 hits in 22 innings with 22 strikeouts.
After shutting down Pacific and holding a potent Fresno State offense a bay in Minnesota's first-ever win against the Bulldogs in 12 all-time meetings, Groenewegen capped the weekend by pitching an eight-inning shutout against Cal Poly. She used just 87 pitches to blank the Mustangs. With the win, she matched her freshman season win total of 14. She is 14-2.
Following her weekend performance, she leads all conference pitchers with an ERA of 0.96 and 155 strikeouts this season. Her 14 victories are fifth among all NCAA Division I pitchers.
Minnesota will pick up play Wednesday at No. 11 California before opening Big Ten play at Illinois. The Gophers are slated to play the Fighting Illini Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
###
