University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Opening 2016 Season
2/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
| No. 13/14 Minnesota at Sportco Kickoff Classic | |
| Game 1 | vs. Utah Valley | Friday, Feb. 12 | 1:15 p.m. |
| Game 2 | vs. #8/#9 Oklahoma | Friday, Feb. 12 | 3:30 p.m. |
| Game 3 | vs. Texas Tech | Saturday, Feb. 13 | 1:15 p.m. |
| Game 4 | vs. Long Beach State | Saturday, Feb. 13 | 3:30 p.m. |
| Game 5 | vs. #20/#19 Washington | Sunday, Feb. 14 | 1:15 p.m. |
| Location | Eller Media Stadium | Las Vegas, Nev. |
| Live Stats | | | | | |
| Game Day Live | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Game 5 |
| Social Media | @GopherSoftball | Facebook | Instagram |
Weekend Notes
The No. 13/14 Minnesota Gophers gear up for their first trip of the season as they head to Las Vegas, Nev. to compete in the Sportco Kickoff Classic this weekend.
The Maroon and Gold take on Utah Valley to open their season Friday at 1:15 p.m. before a touch matchup against No. 8/9 Oklahoma at 3:30 p.m. Saturday the Gophers take on Texas Tech at 1:15 p.m. and Long Beach State at 3:30 p.m. They wrap up play Sunday at 1:15 p.m. against No. 19/20 Washington.
Strong Success
The Gophers have made three straight NCAA Tournaments, a program record. They went 49-11 last season advancing to the regional championship game last season while breaking into the record book for team batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, most runs scored, home runs and strikeouts in a season. Their 49-11 record gave the team its highest win percentage (.817) in program history.
Minnesota is 22-12 in opening games during the NCAA era. They have went undefeated at their last two Sportco Kickoff Classic appearances and have opened the last two seasons with a program record eight straight wins.
What they Lost?
The Gophers move into this season without the Allister recruited class. Of the seven seniors lost were two of the best players to ever put on a Gopher uniform in Kaitlyn Richardson and Tyler Walker. Together they ended with the team's second and fifth highest batting averages (.374 and .356), first and third most doubles (16 and 12), third and fourth most home runs (10 and 10) and first and third highest slugging percentage (.658 and .638).
Also in that strong class was Madie Eckstrom, Hannah Granger, Hannah Melick, Erica Meyer and Erika Smyth.
Who is Back?
The Gophers return 15 players from last season. Key returners include 2015 NFCA Second Team All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year Sara Groenewegen, NFCA Freshman of the Year Top-10 finalist Danielle Parlich, All-Big Ten and first team all-region Sam Macken and third team all-region Taylor LeMay who has started 113 out of 116 games behind the plate for the Gophers the past two seasons.
The Gophers return their entire pitching staff with Groenewegen alongside senior Nikki Anderson, Kylie Stober and Hannah Evavold. They have a veteran packed outfield with seniors Paige Palkovich, Sydney Fabian and Kayla Wenner. The three have combined for 295 starts together. Three freshmen join the team for the 2016 season.
What Are They Saying?
The No. 13/14 ranking is the highest preseason ranking in team history. Sara Groenewegen is among 50 student-athletes selected to the 2016 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award Top 50 Watch List for her second straight season.
She also has gotten some love getting mentioned in the ESPNW softball season preview. ESPNW also named Groenewegen the sixth best start heading into the 2016 season. Read up on that and their preview here.
The Minnesota Daily previewed the 2016 season this week. That story can be read here.
About Utah Valley
Utah Valley is coming off an 18-41 season. Despite the losing season, it was recognized by the NCAA for leading the nation in double plays, averaging .76 per game. This season, the Wolverines are ranked sixth in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Preseason Poll. Sophomore infielder Brittney Vansway collected her second-straight all-conference honor last fall, and set a single-season school record for most double plays turned in a campaign. This will be the first meeting between Minnesota and the Wolverines.
About Oklahoma
Oklahoma enters the season as four-time Big 12 defending champions, with a record last season of 49-9. Oklahoma has reached the postseason in each of head coach Patty Gasso's previous 21 seasons, including six straight trips to the Super Regionals and nine appearances overall in the Women's College World Series. This season, the Sooners are ranked No.8 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Preseason Top 25, and No. 9 in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Preseason Coaches Poll. Freshman infielder Sydney Romero was recently selected to play for the USA Softball Women's Elite Team. Oklahoma is also returning six of eight all-region selections. The Gophers lead the series between the two teams 6-4.
About Texas Tech
Texas Tech enters the spring season coming off a 25-26 record, following head coach Adrian Gregory's first season. The Red Raiders welcome back 12 letter winners from the 2015 season that finished fourth in the Big 12 with a 9-9 record. Senior Jordan Bettiol led Tech in batting average, at bats, runs and hits last season. Texas Tech leads the series against the Gophers 3-1.
About Long Beach State
Long Beach State comes off a 28-24 season, finishing second in the Big West conference. The 49ers will be returning Co-Pitcher of the year Christina Clermont, and first-team all-conference selection Lauren Lombardi, who set the single-season record with 52 RBI. Both players were recognized as all-region selections last season. Long Beach also returns senior Darian Tautalafua, who holds the school record in career RBI and home runs. The 49ers lead the series against the Gophers 8-2.
About Washington
After ending the season with a 42-17 record, Washington enters the spring ranked No. 4 in the Pac-12 Preseason Poll, No. 19 in the ESPN.com/ USA Softball Collegiate Preseason Top 25, and No. 20 in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Preseason Coaches Poll. The Huskies ended the season in the NCAA Regional Final. Washington returns senior Courtney Gano, who produced a team-best 59 RBI and 18 home runs, which tied for 34th in the NCAA. Junior Ali Aguilar will also return as an All-Pac-12 and NFCA All-Pacific region selection, after a batting average of .411 last season. Washington leads the series against the Gophers 3-1-1.
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