University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Hold Annual Banquet
9/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The University of Minnesota softball held its annual awards banquet Friday announcing its 2016 Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year, Freshman of the Year and Teammate of the Year.
Player of the Year: Sam Macken
Macken led the team in batting average (.366), hits (71), doubles (22), home runs (12), RBI (53) and slugging percentage (.675) in 2016 starting every game as the leadoff hitter and at third base.
The 22 doubles placed her second all-time in school history for most in a season. She also had 131 total bases which placed her third all-time in school history. She finished seventh highest in slugging percentage and RBI. She was top five in the whole country this season for most extra base hits with 35 total.
Pitcher of the Year: Sara Groenewegen
It was another impressive season in the circle for Groenewegen. She went 31-7 with a 2.03 ERA and 336 strikeouts. The 31 wins is second most in school history and 336 strikeouts is third all-time in Gopher history and was the best in the nation. Groenewegen also threw three no-hitters including a perfect game.
She earned First Team NFCA All-American honors becoming just the fourth Gopher to ever earn All-American honors at least twice in career. She was a USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award top-10 finalist. She won five B1G Pitcher of the Week honors, two B1G Player of the Week honors, was a USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Week, won two Louisville Slugger / NFCA Pitcher of the Week plaudits and was an espnW Player of the Week.
Freshman of the Year: Maddie Houlihan
Houlihan was a force for the Maroon and Gold in her first season. She hit .356 with 57 hits, 13 doubles, 11 home runs, 46 RBI, had a slugging percentage of .644 and led the team in runs with 51.
She was second in the whole conference in Big Ten batting average with a .464 average against conference foes. She brought home four B1G Freshman of the Year awards and was named the B1G Freshman of the Year.
Teammate of the Year: Hannah Evavold
Each year the Teammate of the Year award announcement is a special moment. This is the only award voted on by the players. Evavold's selflessness and dedication to the team earned her this deserving and prestigious honor.
Quick Look at 2016:
The 2016 Gophers went 43-14 taking a third straight trip to the Regional Championship game. They won their second B1G Tournament championship in three years topping No. 2 Michigan in a 10-inning thriller.
The Maroon and Gold was the only team to top the eventual national championships, Oklahoma, twice this season. Between April 15-May 20 the Gophers tied a program record for longest win streak with 15 straight. They outscored their opponents 129-27 in that span.
Five players (Macken, Groenewegen, Houlihan, Taylor LeMay and Sydney Dwyer) earned All-Big Ten honors while six (Macken, Groenewegen, Houlihan, LeMay, Dwyer and Parlich) were named NFCA Great Lakes All-Region. Twelve Gophers ( Ellie Cowger, Dwyer, Evavold, Sydney Fabian, Groenewegen, LeMay, Macken, Brandi McGregor, Danielle Parlich, Erika Rozell, Kylie Stober and Kayla Wenner) earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for their work in the classroom.
Team Records
Second most runs ever scored with 380
Second most doubles ever with 91
Second highest slugging percentage ever with .520
Second highest on base percentage in school history with .423
Second most total bases with 798
Third highest batting average in school history with .318
Third most RBI ever with 341
Third most home runs ever with 67
Fifth most hits ever with 488
NCAA Stats Rankings
Scoring: 14th, 6.67
On Base Percentage: 14th, .423
Slugging Percentage: 14th, .520
W/L Percentage: 16th, .754
Home Runs per Game: T-16th, 1.18
Doubles Per Game: 18th, 1.60
Team Batting Average: 25th, .319
While the Gophers are strong on the field and in the classroom they still know how to have fun. Enjoy this behind the scenes video below.
