Circling the Bases ... with Noah Berghammer

HIT & RUN

Favorite actor or actress: Leonardo DiCaprio and Anne Hathaway
Favorite athlete: Bryce Harper and Kobe Bryant
Favorite book: Relentless by Tim Grover
Favorit author: John Green
Favorite class you're taking at the U of M: EDHD with Jehanne Beaton.
Favorite game/video game: Nertz, and Tony Hawks American Wasteland.
Favorite hobby (outside of sports): Music (piano, guitar, producing) and writing
Favorite musical artist or band: Jon Bellion, Ed Sheeran, Andrew McMahon, Kygo, Bon Iver
Favorite Netflix show or movie: How I Met Your Mother and Friday Night Lights, and any Harry Potter Film.
Favorite professional team: Brewers, Bucks, Packers, Dodgers
Favorite restaurant: Grand Luxe Cafe in Chicago.
Favorite app or website: YouTube and Instagram.

Biggest fear: Working a 9-5 job that I absolutely hate.
Biggest pet peeve: Oversleeping which tends to happen often, and singing off-key.
Dream vacation spot: Euro tour or Hawaii.
Person you'd most like to meet: Zac Efron, Paul McCartney, and JK Rowling, and Michael Jordan.
Something you never leave home without: My headphones, no way.
Sport you'd like to try but never have: Quidditch

Funniest teammate: Danny Kapala
Hardest-working teammate: Eli Wilson
Most competitive teammate: Jake Stevenson
Most studious teammate: Chase Stanke

GopherSports.com asked the tough questions of Minnesota's nine rookies ahead of the 2019 spring season, continuing this week with infielder Noah Berghammer.

One of two Wisconsin natives on the Gophers this season, Berghammer crossed the border into Maroon & Gold territory following an impressive prep career at Craig High School in Janesville. The 2018 Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention all-American was a three-sport athlete for the Cougars. He helped lead Craig to three Big 8 Conference titles while earning all-league honors. He also played club baseball for the Top Tier Americans, serving as team captain and earning the title of MVP.

The infielder ranked as the no. 3 infielder and no. 16 overall player in the state of Wisconsin according to Prep Baseball Report, while being named the no. 5 shortstop in Wisconsin and no. 264 player nationally according to Perfect Game. During the fall Steak 'n' Beans series, Berghammer batted 4-for-25 with two doubles and one run scored while flashing his glove on defense for the White team.

GopherSports.com: Why did you choose to attend the University of Minnesota?
Noah Berghammer: "I chose the 'U' for several reasons, but the short list is the strong balance of academics and athletics as well as a phenomenal coaching staff. The winning culture was appealing and I'm happy to have an opportunity to be a part of it."

GS: When did you first start playing baseball and how did you first get involved in the sport?
NB: "When I was nine years old, I signed up for Little League with my dad. I wasn't really into the sport of baseball at the time. I was a big basketball guy, so I was just trying it out. Clearly, I fell in love with it, though."

GS: What would you say is your biggest strength in your sport? What is an area of improvement for yourself?
NB: "I think my best attributes in baseball are my advanced glove and defensive presence as well as my leadership strengths. One thing I can develop upon is being a consistent high level hitter."

GS: Do you have any game day rituals or superstitions?
NB: "Each year, I pick a song that is the last song I listen to before I take my headphones out prior to the game, and I always tape my wrists and or wear an arm sleeve. I feel naked without it."

GS: What is your most memorable moment of playing your sport?
NB: "Winning a state championship in high school … WWBA Perfect Game tournaments were always cool too."

GS: Who has been the biggest influence on your athletic career?
NB: "My family, of course, for continued support and encouragement; my trainer from home, Brad Fitzke; my past summer ball coach, Griffin Phelps. Also, a close family friend who was the first guy I knew personally to play Division 1 baseball, Nick Blomgren, was somebody I really looked up to. He made me think this was a realistic path that I could take."

GS: Did you play any other sports besides baseball growing up?
NB: "I was a three-sport athlete throughout most of high school. I played football, basketball, and baseball during my time at CHS. Even prior to that, I also ran track. I had to give that up when I got to high school unfortunately."

GS: What are you most looking forward to in this upcoming season?
NB: "The road trips with the guys, and winning some ball games."

GS: Do you have any advice for aspiring youth athletes?
NB: "Anything is possible if you believe in yourself as a person and a player. You're going to face a lot of adversity at some point of your athletic career, but if you can persevere and if you want it bad enough, you can achieve success."

Gopher Baseball season tickets are available now! The Maroon & Gold return to campus on Friday, March 29 against Nebraska. This 21-game package includes Minnesota's game against Oklahoma at Target Field on Saturday, April 20. Click here to purchase yours today.

Follow Minnesota Baseball

Don't miss any of the action from the field. Stay connected to Gopher Baseball!

Support Minnesota Baseball

Support the University of Minnesota Baseball program. Your support helps our student-athletes succeed athletically, academically, and socially. It takes just seconds to make a monthly or one-time donation. Thank you for your support! Give Now

Upcoming Events

Players Mentioned

Noah Berghammer

Danny Kapala

Chase Stanke

Jake Stevenson

Eli Wilson