University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
UT
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
Photo by: Brad Rempel
First Pitch: Sydney Strelow
10/24/2019 1:06:00 PM | Softball
With the leaves changing and season less than four months away it's time to start getting to know the newcomers! "First Pitch" is back for another season. Our third guest is Sydney Strelow out of Kenosha, Wis. Strelow was a letterwinner in not only softball but also volleyball and basketball for Bradford High School with all-conference honors in softball and basketball. She led her softball team to a state championship and holds single season records in hits, doubles, home runs and RBIs.Â
Sydney Strelow: How did you decide on Minnesota?
Gopher Sports: Choosing Minnesota was one of the easiest decisions I had to make. When I first visited the campus my sophomore year of high school, I immediately felt at home and could see myself in Maroon and Gold. The 'U' brings so much to the table and in my eyes, nothing could compare in either the school or softball aspects.
SS: What is one thing you want to make sure you do around the cities this year? Â Â Â
GS: One thing I want to make sure I do this year in the cities is go to a Twins game! Obviously I'm a die hard Brewers fan, but I have been told Twins games are a super awesome atmosphere to be in. And who doesn't love baseball?
GS: How have the interactions with your teammates been going?
SS: Everyone on the team has welcomed the freshmen with open arms. It's been great! I love learning the Minnesota softball culture and I can already feel the support and team chemistry building between the entire group. As for the four freshmen, we have built a real tight bond. We are all so different and we each bring something unique to our class and to the whole team which I think is super exciting.Â
GS: Is there anything the coaches are having you personally work on or the team as a whole?
SS:Â We have done a lot of fine tuning to our body positioning for defense and offense. We have been breaking everything down into slow movements and correcting the small errors in our throwing and in our swings which, for me, has made a huge difference in my game already. I can't wait to see where these fall and winter practices take this team. I feel myself getting stronger, faster and overall just a better player each day.
GS: What is it about the game of softball that you love?
SS: I love to compete. I love the energy and emotion that the game of softball brings. I truly believe that in this sport, the game knows when you put the work in and will pay you back for the sacrifices you make each day. I also love the quickness of the game and how many split-second decisions need to be made. There are so many factors and any moment is up for grabs.Â
GS: What activities do you enjoy outside of softball?
SS: If I'm not playing softball, I am hanging out with my family or friends. One of my favorite activities to do with my sisters is play a game we made up in our backyard called "Dinger". Basically the object of the game is to hit a home run with a wiffle ball and make it around before getting pelted with the ball. The best games are when my Dad, Mom and my dog Gus join in. It gets crazy. In my free time I also like to sing and venture out!
GS: If you could hit a home run off any celebrity who would you choose and why?
SS: If I could hit a home run off of any celebrity, I would choose Clay Matthews just so I could turn to him as I touch home plate and do the "discount double check" move.
GS: Have you thought about what your walkup song will be this year?
SS: I think I am going to go with "Sneeze" by P-Lo feat. Kehlani. The vibe of the beat is the exact vibe I want to feel when I step into the box. Don't be surprised to see me dancing to it as I walk to the box because it's a bop.
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?
SS: If I was stuck on an elevator for an entire day I would probably want Delanie Cox with me. She's got the jokes, the snacks, the moves, the jams, the portable charger. I actually would love being stuck in an elevator with Delanie, we would have a bomb time.
Sydney Strelow: How did you decide on Minnesota?
Gopher Sports: Choosing Minnesota was one of the easiest decisions I had to make. When I first visited the campus my sophomore year of high school, I immediately felt at home and could see myself in Maroon and Gold. The 'U' brings so much to the table and in my eyes, nothing could compare in either the school or softball aspects.
SS: What is one thing you want to make sure you do around the cities this year? Â Â Â
GS: One thing I want to make sure I do this year in the cities is go to a Twins game! Obviously I'm a die hard Brewers fan, but I have been told Twins games are a super awesome atmosphere to be in. And who doesn't love baseball?
GS: How have the interactions with your teammates been going?
SS: Everyone on the team has welcomed the freshmen with open arms. It's been great! I love learning the Minnesota softball culture and I can already feel the support and team chemistry building between the entire group. As for the four freshmen, we have built a real tight bond. We are all so different and we each bring something unique to our class and to the whole team which I think is super exciting.Â
GS: Is there anything the coaches are having you personally work on or the team as a whole?
SS:Â We have done a lot of fine tuning to our body positioning for defense and offense. We have been breaking everything down into slow movements and correcting the small errors in our throwing and in our swings which, for me, has made a huge difference in my game already. I can't wait to see where these fall and winter practices take this team. I feel myself getting stronger, faster and overall just a better player each day.
GS: What is it about the game of softball that you love?
SS: I love to compete. I love the energy and emotion that the game of softball brings. I truly believe that in this sport, the game knows when you put the work in and will pay you back for the sacrifices you make each day. I also love the quickness of the game and how many split-second decisions need to be made. There are so many factors and any moment is up for grabs.Â
GS: What activities do you enjoy outside of softball?
SS: If I'm not playing softball, I am hanging out with my family or friends. One of my favorite activities to do with my sisters is play a game we made up in our backyard called "Dinger". Basically the object of the game is to hit a home run with a wiffle ball and make it around before getting pelted with the ball. The best games are when my Dad, Mom and my dog Gus join in. It gets crazy. In my free time I also like to sing and venture out!
GS: If you could hit a home run off any celebrity who would you choose and why?
SS: If I could hit a home run off of any celebrity, I would choose Clay Matthews just so I could turn to him as I touch home plate and do the "discount double check" move.
GS: Have you thought about what your walkup song will be this year?
SS: I think I am going to go with "Sneeze" by P-Lo feat. Kehlani. The vibe of the beat is the exact vibe I want to feel when I step into the box. Don't be surprised to see me dancing to it as I walk to the box because it's a bop.
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?
SS: If I was stuck on an elevator for an entire day I would probably want Delanie Cox with me. She's got the jokes, the snacks, the moves, the jams, the portable charger. I actually would love being stuck in an elevator with Delanie, we would have a bomb time.
Minnesota (4) - Michigan (0) Highlights
Friday, May 02
Sydney Schwartz Throws No-Hitter
Tuesday, April 29
Gophers (8) - North Dakota (0) Highlights
Sunday, April 27
Gophers (5) - North Dakota (3) Highlights
Saturday, April 26