University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
INF/OF
/ Softball
First Pitch: Emily Hansen
11/23/2018 9:39:00 AM | Softball
Check out Natalie DenHartog's First Pitch Here
We are spending five weeks introducing you to the Gophers freshmen class in the return of our "First Pitch" series. Next up is Buffalo, Minn., native Emily Hansen.
Hansen was Minnesota's 2018 Ms. Softball winner and the 2018 Gatorade Player of the Year. She was a five-time All-Conference, two-time All-Section and two-time All-State honoree. In 2017 she was named a third team All-American.
Gopher Sports: How did you decide on Minnesota?
Emily Hansen: Minnesota was the easiest decision I have ever made because I have wanted to come here my whole life. Nothing compares to representing the Maroon and Gold every day.
GS: How was your fall ball experience?
EH: My fall ball experience was super great! I had a blast this fall finally being here with all of my teammates.
GS: How have the interactions with your teammates been going?
EH: I have gotten to know a lot of people really well. I can't wait for the spring so we can finally all play together as a full team.
GS: Is there anything the coaches are having you personally work on or the team as a whole?
EH: The coaches are taking us through this book called, "What Drives Winning." It is a great read and really makes you think about what type of person and player you are and who want to be for your team.
GS: What is it about the game of softball that you love?
EH: I love softball so much! I think the one thing I love about the game is that there is never a moment where I am not challenged. You are always working to get better and better every day. Doing that really makes me driven and passionate. I also love how it is a team sport over an individual sport. Team sports are way more fun.
GS: What activities do you enjoy outside of softball?
EH: Outside of softball I love to be outside and enjoy nature, hang out with my friends, eat Peanut Butter World Ice Cream and watch The Office on Netflix.
GS: If you could hit a home run off any celebrity who would you choose and why?
EH: If I could hit a home run off of any celebrity it would be, without a doubt, off of Jennie Finch. I would love to crank one over the fence off of her because she is the best in the world and I would feel so cool if I did.
GS: Have you thought about what your walkup song will be this year?
EH: I have thought about what my walkup song will be and I'm pretty sure I am going to pick the beginning of, "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N' Roses. It gets me so hyped.
GS: You are stuck on an elevator for an entire day but could have any one teammate with you. Who are you choosing and why?
EH: I would choose Katie Kemmetmueller to be on the elevator with me because she would try and find a way out and if we never got out she's always fun to be around.
We are spending five weeks introducing you to the Gophers freshmen class in the return of our "First Pitch" series. Next up is Buffalo, Minn., native Emily Hansen.
Hansen was Minnesota's 2018 Ms. Softball winner and the 2018 Gatorade Player of the Year. She was a five-time All-Conference, two-time All-Section and two-time All-State honoree. In 2017 she was named a third team All-American.
Gopher Sports: How did you decide on Minnesota?
Emily Hansen: Minnesota was the easiest decision I have ever made because I have wanted to come here my whole life. Nothing compares to representing the Maroon and Gold every day.
GS: How was your fall ball experience?
EH: My fall ball experience was super great! I had a blast this fall finally being here with all of my teammates.
GS: How have the interactions with your teammates been going?
EH: I have gotten to know a lot of people really well. I can't wait for the spring so we can finally all play together as a full team.
GS: Is there anything the coaches are having you personally work on or the team as a whole?
EH: The coaches are taking us through this book called, "What Drives Winning." It is a great read and really makes you think about what type of person and player you are and who want to be for your team.
GS: What is it about the game of softball that you love?
EH: I love softball so much! I think the one thing I love about the game is that there is never a moment where I am not challenged. You are always working to get better and better every day. Doing that really makes me driven and passionate. I also love how it is a team sport over an individual sport. Team sports are way more fun.
GS: What activities do you enjoy outside of softball?
EH: Outside of softball I love to be outside and enjoy nature, hang out with my friends, eat Peanut Butter World Ice Cream and watch The Office on Netflix.
GS: If you could hit a home run off any celebrity who would you choose and why?
EH: If I could hit a home run off of any celebrity it would be, without a doubt, off of Jennie Finch. I would love to crank one over the fence off of her because she is the best in the world and I would feel so cool if I did.
GS: Have you thought about what your walkup song will be this year?
EH: I have thought about what my walkup song will be and I'm pretty sure I am going to pick the beginning of, "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N' Roses. It gets me so hyped.
GS: You are stuck on an elevator for an entire day but could have any one teammate with you. Who are you choosing and why?
EH: I would choose Katie Kemmetmueller to be on the elevator with me because she would try and find a way out and if we never got out she's always fun to be around.
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