University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Coming Together After Fall Ball
10/31/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The Gophers played four fall ball doubleheaders in five weeks going 8-0 with sweeps over North Dakota State University, Concordia University-St. Paul, University of Minnesota-Duluth and St. Cloud State University.
"It is crazy how fast five weeks can go when you are working unbelievably hard to be the best softball team you can be with your best friends," sophomore Maddie Houlihan said. "Seeing where we ended this fall gets me pumped for this spring. The potential is there for us to be a championship team. I can't wait for us to keep working hard this winter and to see where we will be in February."
Results
They started off the fall season with a rematch against NDSU. The two teams had just met twice last spring in the NCAA Tournament. Like regionals the Gophers pulled off two tightly contested wins. They won 4-2 and 6-1 led by strong performances in the circle from Tori Finucane and Amber Fiser. Sam Macken picked right back where she left off last year hitting two doubles between the two games.
The Gophers did not give up a run their next weekend out topping Concordia 4-0 and 8-0 with Taylor Chell smacking a grand slam and Kendyl Lindaman recording her first home run in the Maroon and Gold.
Minnesota topped UMD 5-0 in the first game and was lifted to a 7-6 victory on a Sara Groenewegen walk-off in the second.
The Gophers closed out the fall season in big way with 11-1 and 20-4 victories over SCSU.
Around the Bases
The Gophers came into the year with nine returners and nine newcomers on the roster. They have three seniors, five juniors, three sophomores and seven freshmen. They graduated their whole outfield from last year so competition for starting spots is wide open and competitive. Fans paying close attention may have noticed some familiar names in different positions during fall ball.
"I would say we had a very unique situation this fall with the newcomers but we have really begun to believe that a hardworking, team-first mindset is most important in achieving our goals," junior Dani Wagner said.
Pitching Staff: The Gophers pitched Sara Groenewegen, Tori Finucane, Amber Fiser, Kendal Judge and Carlie Brandt in the fall season.
Groenewegen is the only familiar name back in the circle but is a good one to have back. Her building legacy is well known and she is showing no sign of slowing down in her senior season.
Finucane is a senior transfer from Missouri. She is a former SEC Freshman of the Year and seems to be fully healthy after battling injuries last year. She saw plenty of action in the fall and looked strong. She looks to be a solid No. 2 this year and should excite Gopher fans.
Fiser dominated at the high school level and is adjusting well to the college so far this fall. In all but one series she started the second game of the doubleheaders this fall.
Judge also had a great high school career. She was used in a relief role throughout the fall and recorded at least one strikeout every time out.
It still is not known if Brandt will pitch at this level but in a limited role this fall she showed she can be a solid option for the Gophers pitching staff if needed.
Behind the Plate: Erika Rozell and Kendyl Lindaman split time at catcher this fall.
Junior Rozell has nine career starts for the Gophers and holds a perfect fielding percentage. She has shown a solid bat and has speed that has been used often in a pinch runner role her first two seasons.
Lindaman is one of the all-time greatest home run hitters in high school history. She showed off that ability this fall and is likely to be in the lineup as at least a hitter come spring.
The Infield: Time will tell what the Gophers infield will completely look like this spring. Sam Macken, Danielle Parlich and Sydney Dwyer are the returners. Allie Arneson, MaKenna Partain, Brandt and Kaylen Krueger all got action this fall as well.
Macken is coming off one of the most productive seasons in Minnesota softball history. She started every game as the leadoff batter. Her versatility could put her in a number of different positions across the field come spring.
Parlich has started every single game for the Gophers in her first two seasons. She is one of the toughest players statistically to strikeout in the whole NCAA and could also play a number of infield positions this spring.
Dwyer is coming off a breakout sophomore season. She provides a clutch bat and got an extended look at first base this fall.
Arneson spent her freshman season at Virginia. She has a cannon of an arm and will battle for a starting spot in the infield this spring. She brings a gritty bat as well.
Partain had a big fall. She was coming into her groove at the end hitting home runs in back-to-back weekends and was clean in the infield playing second base or shortstop.
Brandt is the type of players all coaches want. She is willing to play anywhere on the field. She saw action at multiple positions throughout the fall.
Krueger is a middle infielder that brings a calm presence to the field and at the plate.
The Outfield: Taylor Chell and Ellie Cowger return while Maddie Houlihan and Dani Wagner seem to be moving from the infield to the outfield as the Gophers have to replace all three outfield positions this season. Katelyn Kemmetmueller also saw action out there this fall and Macken played some outfield as well.
Chell brings a powerful swing that will give her a great opportunity to start come spring season.
Cowger has improved every season and has been used as a pinch runner frequently throughout her career.
Houlihan is coming off a tremendous freshman season. She was named the B1G Freshman of the Year starting every game at first. She has never played in the outfield in her career but has the speed and willingness to make the switch work if the Gophers decide to keep her out there.
Wagner is one of the fastest players on the team and brings plenty of experience to the lineup. She got a lot of work in center field this fall.
Kemmetmueller is a utility player for the Gophers. She saw limited action in the outfield during the fall but brings plenty of hard work and heart to Minnesota.
Defending a Championship
The Gophers got some added motivation when they received their Big Ten Tournament championship rings earlier this fall.
"We are excited to see that all of our hard work is paying off for us," Groenewegen said. "The countless hours we put in now are what ultimately will bring home another Big Ten championship. The journey is the reward."
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