University of Minnesota Athletics
Top Headlines From 2016
12/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
2016 was another exciting year for the Gophers softball quad. Take a look back at some of the top stories from this year. Click on the bolded headlines to read the full story.
Feb. 12: Gophers Win Opening Day
The Maroon and Gold got the season started off in a postive way with two wins on opening day. Sydney Dwyer hit a walk-off home run to launch the Gophers to a 1-0 victory over No. 8 at the time Oklahoma, the eventual national champions.
Feb. 27- Allister Earns 200th Career Victory
A successful trip to Arizona State saw Coach Jessica Allister earn her 200th career victory with a 5-3 win over Houston.
March 3- McGregor's Journey Back
Brandi McGregor headed back to Georgia with the Gophers for a tournament this year. She faced adversity throughout her career but worked her way back into a key role for the Gophers in her senior season.
March 6- Gophers Tie Program Record, Down No. 9 Georgia
The Gophers tied a program record scoring 20 runs in a game and beat No. 9 Georgia in exciting fashion with a game winning home run from Taylor LeMay in the sixth inning.
March 12- Groenewegen Throws Perfect Game
Sara Groenewegen came out on top of an absolute pitcher's duel against FAU throwing a perfect game. Every Gopher on the field contributed an out in the 1-0 win.
March 15- Groenewegen Receives National Plaudit
Groenewegen was honored as the Louisville Slugger / NFCA Pitcher of the Week after her perfect game.
March 16- Gophers Stay Resilient Topping No. 13 Oklahoma
In what was one of their most impressive victories of the season the Gophers again topped Oklahoma. This time they did so in front of the Sooners home crowd in extra innings.
March 27- Gophers Complete Sweep of Purdue
The Maroon and Gold opened B1G with a sweet at Purdue.
April 10- Gophers Sweep Illinois At Home
After eight weeks on the road the Gophers came home and swept Illinois at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium.
April 23- Groenewegen Hits Walk-off Clinching Series
The Maroon and Gold again showed their resilency pulling out a back-and-forth game against Nebraska at home off Groenewegen's walk-off single.
May 1- Gophers Win Big on Senior Day
The seniors were sent out on a winning note completing a sweep over Maryland. It was the fifth B1G sweep and eighth win in a row for Minnesota.
May 3- No Hits Allowed Earns Groenewegen NFCA Award
After going a whole weekend without allowing a single hit Groenewegen was again named the Louisville Slugger / NFCA Pitcher of the Week.
May 5- Macken Named CoSIDA Academic All-District
For her success in the classroom and on the field Sam Macken earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors.
May 8- Gophers End Regular Season Winning 11 Straight
Minnesota ended the season on a tear outscoring their opponents 108-18 with six run rule victories during an 11-game win streak.
May 11- Five Gophers Named All-Big Ten
Maddie Houlihan was named the B1G Freshman of the Year after her strong collegiate debuy. She was named All-B1G along with Groenewegen, Macken, Sydney Dwyer and Taylor LeMay.
May 11-Groenewegen Named National POY Finalist
For the second straight year Groenwegen was a top-10 finalist for the National Player of the Year.
May 14- Gophers Win B1G Championship In Instant Classic
In a 10-inning battle the Gophers topped No. 2 Michigan on a walk-off to win their second B1G Tournament title in three years.
May 15- Gophers Headed to Seattle for NCAA Tournament
Minnesota earned a program record fourth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament getting selected into the Seattle Region.
May 19- Six Gophers Named All-Region
Groenewegen, Macken, Dwyer, LeMay, Danielle Parlich and Houlihan all earned NFCA All-Region honors.
May 20- Gophers Open Regionals With 15th Straight Win
Minnesota topped NDSU to open the NCAA Tournament tying a program record for longest win streak while doing so.
May 22- Gophers Season Comes to Close At Regionals
Minnesota ended the successful season 43-14 overall.
June 1- Groenewegen Named First Team All-American
For the second straight season Groenewegen earned First Team All-American honors.
June 3- Class of 2020 Roundup
The incoming freshmen class gave Gophers fans a lot to be excited about as they closed out their high school and travel ball careers.
September 6- Rozell's Kitten Rescue
This summer Erika Rozell rescued four kittens from TCF Bank Stadium and the story caught quite a bit of buzz getting posted on ESPNW, the Star Tribune and was featured on local newscasts.
True Softball Family Series
Mackens
Wagners
Cowgers
Chells
Many of our players, if not all, would not be where they are today without the sacrifices, love and support of their families. Take a look at our feature series from this summer and fall to look at those relationships and stories.
December 20- Gophers Release 2017 Schedule
After a great 2016 get excited for 2017 by checking out our newly released schedule.
Gophers In The News:
Richardson and Meyer Stay In Gophers Dugout (Minnesota Daily)
Former EC Catcher Approaching Year With Confidence (Newnan Times Herald)
Houlihan Lights It Up For The Gophers (Sun Sailor)
Raptors Alumna LeMay Shines With Gophers (Woodbury Bulletin)
Macken Tearing It Up For No. 22 Gophers (Rochester Post Bulletin)
Living The Dream (Pioneer Press)
Groenewegen's Golden Motivation (Pioneer Press)
Allister Helped Dig Gophers Softball Out Of A Hole (Star Tribune)
LeMay Caught On Well With The Gophers (Star Tribune)
Wenner Leaves Mark on U of M (The Journal)
