Houlihan Provides Constant Presence for Gophers

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In the past 223 games the University of Minnesota softball program is 177-46 with three straight Big Ten Tournament titles and a Big Ten regular season title.

They have made three straight NCAA Regional Championship games and earned a program record No. 1 ranking in the NFCA Coaches Poll and reached a program high No. 8 in the NCAA RPI in that stretch.

There has been only one constant throughout that entire span. Maddie Houlihan has started every single game, all 223 of them, in the past four years. That number has far exceeded anything Houlihan expected when committing to Minnesota.

"I just wanted to get on campus, get acclimated and work hard," Houlihan said. "I just wanted to work and know that when my opportunity came that I would take advantage of it. From that first at-bat, I have just taken it one pitch at a time and try to get on base for my team."

To say that approach has worked would be an understatement. Houlihan is second in program history with 182 runs in her career. She could not pinpoint a favorite run. After 182 they probably all start to blur together.

"I love the runs I get to jog in," Houlihan said. "It means my teammates hit the ball far."

Throughout her entire time at Minnesota, Houlihan has had a team first mindset. She is proud to wear the Maroon and Gold. In fact, this is the only place she ever wanted to be. She went to school just 10 minutes away from campus where she rewrote the record books at Benilde St. Margaret's.

"I knew if I got the opportunity to play here that it was one I couldn't pass up," Houlihan said. "I've been coming to games since I was 12 or 13 years old."

Houlihan has been able to hoist four trophies in her time but there is still a goal lingering above her as her career winds down. She has yet to experience a home regional, even though the team had the resume to do so her sophomore campaign when they finished a historic 56-5 in 2017. Following that year Houlihan helped her teammates through a coaching change staying as steady as ever.

"I just had to remember how lucky I was no matter what was thrown at us or no matter what kind of adversity we had to face," Houlihan said. "No matter if we are hosting, no matter who is the coach, we are still Gophers. There are only 18-22 people in the entire world that get to put on this jersey. If you look at it that then we are lucky to be here and I'm grateful for the opportunity."

The Plymouth, Minn. native credits her family more than anyone for her steady demeanor no matter what happens.

"I wouldn't be here without them and the opportunities they have me growing up," Houlihan explained. "They have always supported me. We have had some cool conversations over the past few weeks. They make it worth it."

Now with her family in the stands, Houlihan will have another chance to hoist a trophy this weekend as the Gophers host Big Ten leading Northwestern with a Big Ten championship on the line.

"I'm feeling pretty lucky. Lucky that I get to play at Minnesota. Lucky that I've had these four years," Houlihan said. "Lucky that my last guaranteed home series has a championship on the line. I couldn't be prouder to be a Gopher and represent my home state. Representing the only Division I school in this state means a lot."

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