University of Minnesota Athletics
Thursday, February 17
Phoenix, AZ
1:00 PM
University of Minnesota
at
Grand Canyon
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
C/1B
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
Minnesota Set for Six-Game Trip to Arizona
2/16/2022 11:15:00 AM | Softball
MINNEAPOLIS - Another busy weekend of softball awaits the University of Minnesota as it travels to Arizona for six games Feb. 17-20 taking part in the Littlewood Classic hosted by Arizona State. Three of the six games will feature a live video stream, including both games Thursday against Grand Canyon and the No. 21 Sun Devils.
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WEEKEND QUICK HITS
SENIORS STEPPING UP
Led by Ellee Jensen's .636 batting average, it's been the senior class that has powered the Gophers offensively through opening weekend. Lauren Espalin (.412), Natalie DenHartog (.353) and Makenna Dowell (.333) join Jensen as four of the team's top five hitters. Add in Megan Dray and Emily Hansen's four total RBI and the group has combined for 12 of 20 runs driven in for Minnesota.
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DENHARTOG WATCH
DenHartog tied current assistant coach Katie Richardson (2012-15) and Kendyl Lindaman (2017-18) for fourth in program history with 40 career home runs hitting a solo blast at UCF Feb. 11. Jordanne Nygren (1999-2003) leads the all-time ranks for the Gophers at 51, while Tyler Walker (2012-15) and Shannon Beeler (1996-99) tallied 43 in their tenure. A senior from Hopkins, Minn., DenHartog is currently averaging one home run per 9.95 trips to the plate and has added 136 RBI across 133 games played.
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EXPERIENCE PAYS OFF
The Gophers added two high-level graduate transfers from Power Five programs to the mix for 2022 as Dowell (Auburn) and Espalin (Cal) got to campus in the fall and are making an immediate impact on the lineup. Espalin is second on the team posting a .412 batting average with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored, while Dowell is second for Minnesota registering a .556 on-base percentage.
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GOT YOUR BACK
The Gophers pitching duo of Autumn Pease and Emily Leavitt are first and fifth in the NCAA in saves posting two and one, respectively. The pair has helped Minnesota to a perfect 3-0 record when holding a lead after five innings.
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FIRST LOOK
During her first collegiate weekend, Leavitt put up a 2-1 record and a save throwing 16.2 innings in the circle. She got the starting nod in the season opener facing nationally-ranked Georgia and struck out seven in six innings of work giving up just one earned run. The freshman earned the save at now No. 24 UCF Feb. 11 and picked up the first victory of her college career against Longwood Feb. 12.
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POWER SURGE
Minnesota has launched five home runs in five games this season to sit 47th in the NCAA in home runs per game. Five different players have hit a long ball helping the Gophers to a 3-1 record when hitting a home run and a team slugging percentage of .471. The team averaged 1.2 home runs per game to lead the Big Ten Conference and rank 27th nationally at the end of 2021.
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UP NEXT
The Gophers continue their road stretch and are back on the east coast for a weekend in Charlotte, N.C., for the Niner Invitational Feb. 25-27.
Â
WEEKEND QUICK HITS
SENIORS STEPPING UP
Led by Ellee Jensen's .636 batting average, it's been the senior class that has powered the Gophers offensively through opening weekend. Lauren Espalin (.412), Natalie DenHartog (.353) and Makenna Dowell (.333) join Jensen as four of the team's top five hitters. Add in Megan Dray and Emily Hansen's four total RBI and the group has combined for 12 of 20 runs driven in for Minnesota.
Â
DENHARTOG WATCH
DenHartog tied current assistant coach Katie Richardson (2012-15) and Kendyl Lindaman (2017-18) for fourth in program history with 40 career home runs hitting a solo blast at UCF Feb. 11. Jordanne Nygren (1999-2003) leads the all-time ranks for the Gophers at 51, while Tyler Walker (2012-15) and Shannon Beeler (1996-99) tallied 43 in their tenure. A senior from Hopkins, Minn., DenHartog is currently averaging one home run per 9.95 trips to the plate and has added 136 RBI across 133 games played.
Â
EXPERIENCE PAYS OFF
The Gophers added two high-level graduate transfers from Power Five programs to the mix for 2022 as Dowell (Auburn) and Espalin (Cal) got to campus in the fall and are making an immediate impact on the lineup. Espalin is second on the team posting a .412 batting average with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored, while Dowell is second for Minnesota registering a .556 on-base percentage.
Â
GOT YOUR BACK
The Gophers pitching duo of Autumn Pease and Emily Leavitt are first and fifth in the NCAA in saves posting two and one, respectively. The pair has helped Minnesota to a perfect 3-0 record when holding a lead after five innings.
Â
FIRST LOOK
During her first collegiate weekend, Leavitt put up a 2-1 record and a save throwing 16.2 innings in the circle. She got the starting nod in the season opener facing nationally-ranked Georgia and struck out seven in six innings of work giving up just one earned run. The freshman earned the save at now No. 24 UCF Feb. 11 and picked up the first victory of her college career against Longwood Feb. 12.
Â
POWER SURGE
Minnesota has launched five home runs in five games this season to sit 47th in the NCAA in home runs per game. Five different players have hit a long ball helping the Gophers to a 3-1 record when hitting a home run and a team slugging percentage of .471. The team averaged 1.2 home runs per game to lead the Big Ten Conference and rank 27th nationally at the end of 2021.
Â
UP NEXT
The Gophers continue their road stretch and are back on the east coast for a weekend in Charlotte, N.C., for the Niner Invitational Feb. 25-27.
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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