University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
OF
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First Pitch: Hope Brandner
1/30/2019 1:08:00 PM | Softball
We are wrapping up our "First Pitch" series with a player who brings more experience than the rest of the Gophers newcomers. Hope Brandner spent her first season making an impact at Oregon State before transferring to Minnesota this summer.
Brandner started in 51 games posting a .299 overall batting average and .304 average in conference play. She led OSU in RBI (36), home runs (12) and slugging percentage (.530). During the year the Vacaville, Calif. native, earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Week, was named to the NFCA All-Pacific Region First Team and garnered Pac-12 All-Conference Third Team and All-Freshman Team honors.
Gopher Sports: How did you decide on Minnesota?
Hope Brandner: I chose Minnesota because I truly believed in the vision head coach Jamie Trachsel had for this team. She was the type of coach I knew I wanted to play for.
GS: How was your fall ball experience?
HB: At first my transition was the hardest thing I've went through. Getting to know a whole new team, coaching staff and being so far away from home was tough but once I settled in I realized it was the best decision I've ever made.
GS: How have the interactions with your teammates been going?
HB: The interactions with my teammates have been unbelievable. I've gotten close and formed relationships with everyone on the team and I love these girls so much. I never knew you could get so close with a group of girls in such a short amount of time!
GS: Is there anything the coaches are having you personally work on or the team as a whole?
HB: The coaches have me work on a variety of things every day. The number one thing the coaches preach about is something more than softball though. They tell us not to just be a great softball player but most of all be a great person. Be a person that helps, that's trustworthy and has a good head on your shoulders. Practice being a great person every day outside of softball.
GS: What is it about the game of softball that you love?
HB: I can't just pick one thing about softball that I love because this sport has made me who I am. It has given me opportunities of a lifetime and brought the best people I know into my life.
GS: What activities do you enjoy outside of softball?
HB: Outside of softball, I love hanging out with my family. Boating, going to the movies, or going to San Francisco for the day is probably my top-three favorites. Anything I get to do with my sister Braya is a day well spent!
GS: If you could hit a home run off any celebrity who would you choose and why?
HB: If I could hit a home run off any celebrity it would be Will Ferrell because he is by far my favorite actor and who wouldn't want to hit a home run off of someone that funny?
GS: Have you thought about what your walkup song will be this year?
HB: I have thought about my walkup song this year but that's a surprise that everyone has to wait on.
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?
HB: If I was stuck on an elevator and had one teammate with me I would chose Ali Lindner because we always know how to make each other laugh and she always knows how to lighten up the mood in bad situations.
Brandner started in 51 games posting a .299 overall batting average and .304 average in conference play. She led OSU in RBI (36), home runs (12) and slugging percentage (.530). During the year the Vacaville, Calif. native, earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Week, was named to the NFCA All-Pacific Region First Team and garnered Pac-12 All-Conference Third Team and All-Freshman Team honors.
Gopher Sports: How did you decide on Minnesota?
Hope Brandner: I chose Minnesota because I truly believed in the vision head coach Jamie Trachsel had for this team. She was the type of coach I knew I wanted to play for.
GS: How was your fall ball experience?
HB: At first my transition was the hardest thing I've went through. Getting to know a whole new team, coaching staff and being so far away from home was tough but once I settled in I realized it was the best decision I've ever made.
GS: How have the interactions with your teammates been going?
HB: The interactions with my teammates have been unbelievable. I've gotten close and formed relationships with everyone on the team and I love these girls so much. I never knew you could get so close with a group of girls in such a short amount of time!
GS: Is there anything the coaches are having you personally work on or the team as a whole?
HB: The coaches have me work on a variety of things every day. The number one thing the coaches preach about is something more than softball though. They tell us not to just be a great softball player but most of all be a great person. Be a person that helps, that's trustworthy and has a good head on your shoulders. Practice being a great person every day outside of softball.
GS: What is it about the game of softball that you love?
HB: I can't just pick one thing about softball that I love because this sport has made me who I am. It has given me opportunities of a lifetime and brought the best people I know into my life.
GS: What activities do you enjoy outside of softball?
HB: Outside of softball, I love hanging out with my family. Boating, going to the movies, or going to San Francisco for the day is probably my top-three favorites. Anything I get to do with my sister Braya is a day well spent!
GS: If you could hit a home run off any celebrity who would you choose and why?
HB: If I could hit a home run off any celebrity it would be Will Ferrell because he is by far my favorite actor and who wouldn't want to hit a home run off of someone that funny?
GS: Have you thought about what your walkup song will be this year?
HB: I have thought about my walkup song this year but that's a surprise that everyone has to wait on.
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?
HB: If I was stuck on an elevator and had one teammate with me I would chose Ali Lindner because we always know how to make each other laugh and she always knows how to lighten up the mood in bad situations.
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