University of Minnesota Athletics
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Photo by: Kelly Hagenson
Partain Claims Second Big Ten Player of the Week Honors
4/13/2021 3:00:00 PM | Softball
MINNEAPOLIS – In helping Minnesota to a four-game sweep of then-No. 21/22 Northwestern, Golden Gophers senior MaKenna Partain has been named the Big Ten Player of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday.
The team's leadoff hitter and starter at second base, Partain hit .412 against the Wildcats with seven hits in 17 at-bats. Three of her seven hits in the series were home runs, resulting in a team-best slugging percentage of .941. She also led the Gophers with six runs scored and tied for the lead with her hit total and four runs batted in, while tallying a .444 on-base percentage.
Partain hit a solo homer in Friday's extra-inning series opener, then went 2-3 with a second home run, two RBIs, a walk and two runs scored in Saturday's 6-2 victory. The Banks, Ore., native collected another hit in another extra-inning win in game one of Sunday's doubleheader before going 3-4 with a season-high three runs scored and a third home run in game two to complete the sweep.
Being named Big Ten Player of the Week is the fourth such accolade of Partain's career and her second this season after picking up the same honor on March 16.
Winners of a league-best five games in a row and holding a 19-5 record overall, Minnesota has entered the polls this week at No. 23/24 (USA Softball/NFCA). The newly-ranked Golden Gophers return home this weekend to host Nebraska in a four-game series. Friday's series opener is set for 5 p.m., while Saturday's doubleheader begins at noon. Sunday's series finale against the Huskers is also slated for a noon start. All four games can be seen on BTN Plus.
The team's leadoff hitter and starter at second base, Partain hit .412 against the Wildcats with seven hits in 17 at-bats. Three of her seven hits in the series were home runs, resulting in a team-best slugging percentage of .941. She also led the Gophers with six runs scored and tied for the lead with her hit total and four runs batted in, while tallying a .444 on-base percentage.
Partain hit a solo homer in Friday's extra-inning series opener, then went 2-3 with a second home run, two RBIs, a walk and two runs scored in Saturday's 6-2 victory. The Banks, Ore., native collected another hit in another extra-inning win in game one of Sunday's doubleheader before going 3-4 with a season-high three runs scored and a third home run in game two to complete the sweep.
Being named Big Ten Player of the Week is the fourth such accolade of Partain's career and her second this season after picking up the same honor on March 16.
Winners of a league-best five games in a row and holding a 19-5 record overall, Minnesota has entered the polls this week at No. 23/24 (USA Softball/NFCA). The newly-ranked Golden Gophers return home this weekend to host Nebraska in a four-game series. Friday's series opener is set for 5 p.m., while Saturday's doubleheader begins at noon. Sunday's series finale against the Huskers is also slated for a noon start. All four games can be seen on BTN Plus.
Highlights: Gophers 6, Central Michigan 1
Saturday, February 21
Highlights: Gophers 7, LIU 6
Saturday, February 21
Highlights: Gophers 11, NMSU 4
Saturday, February 14
Highlights: Gophers 8, UTEP 6
Friday, February 13