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OUCH…Welcome to College Softball
2/12/2019 2:15:00 PM | Softball
In the first game of 2019 the Gophers were up 6-0 over North Florida in the fourth inning and it was time to get some freshmen their first collegiate action.
Josey White stepped in to pinch hit with a rush of emotion and thoughts going through her mind.
"It was honestly so amazing, everything I dreamed of," White said. "When (assistant coach) Katie (Rietkovich) walked over and called my name for me to step in and hit I was so excited and ready. As I walked up to the plate the only thing I could think about was hitting the ball hard and making something happen."
White saw one pitch. The next one drilled her right forearm.
"It was funny because I didn't expect to get hit by a pitch my first collegiate at bat! I wanted to hit so badly but I still got on base and eventually scored," White explained.
The bases were loaded after White was hit and it was Natalie DenHartog's turn to step into the box for the first time.
"I was excited. I felt confident and ready," DenHartog recalled.
And…the Hopkins, Minn. native took it square on her calf.
"I knew the pitcher was throwing inside so I honestly wasn't that surprised when the pitch it me," DenHartog said. "It wasn't all I hoped for my first college at bat, but it ended up scoring a run so I can't complain."
DenHartog was credited for an RBI on her first at bat but did it hurt taking one for the team?
"No," DenHartog said boldly. "It hit the meat. It was just annoying."
White started the following game against UCF and made an impact. She recorded two hits and drove in a run to finish the weekend with a .400 batting average. DenHartog drew a walk later in the weekend and still has a perfect on base percentage intact. They are both expected to produce in the Gophers lineup this season. They did from the start, even if it was in an unconventional and painful way.
Josey White stepped in to pinch hit with a rush of emotion and thoughts going through her mind.
"It was honestly so amazing, everything I dreamed of," White said. "When (assistant coach) Katie (Rietkovich) walked over and called my name for me to step in and hit I was so excited and ready. As I walked up to the plate the only thing I could think about was hitting the ball hard and making something happen."
White saw one pitch. The next one drilled her right forearm.
"It was funny because I didn't expect to get hit by a pitch my first collegiate at bat! I wanted to hit so badly but I still got on base and eventually scored," White explained.
The bases were loaded after White was hit and it was Natalie DenHartog's turn to step into the box for the first time.
"I was excited. I felt confident and ready," DenHartog recalled.
And…the Hopkins, Minn. native took it square on her calf.
"I knew the pitcher was throwing inside so I honestly wasn't that surprised when the pitch it me," DenHartog said. "It wasn't all I hoped for my first college at bat, but it ended up scoring a run so I can't complain."
DenHartog was credited for an RBI on her first at bat but did it hurt taking one for the team?
"No," DenHartog said boldly. "It hit the meat. It was just annoying."
White started the following game against UCF and made an impact. She recorded two hits and drove in a run to finish the weekend with a .400 batting average. DenHartog drew a walk later in the weekend and still has a perfect on base percentage intact. They are both expected to produce in the Gophers lineup this season. They did from the start, even if it was in an unconventional and painful way.
Highlights: Gophers 4, Indiana 6
Sunday, March 08
Highlights: Gophers 2, Indiana 0
Friday, March 06
Highlights: Gophers 6, Central Michigan 1
Saturday, February 21
Highlights: Gophers 7, LIU 6
Saturday, February 21