News Summary
The University of Minnesota softball team is heading to Baton Rouge for the LSU Round Robin tournament, marking their entry into Big Ten play. With a record of 9-10, the Gophers will face South Alabama and the #4-ranked LSU Tigers. Highlighting recent strong performances by players like Taylor Krapf and Sydney Schwartz, the Gophers seek to build momentum and capitalize on their past successes against both opponents. Fans are encouraged to support as Minnesota aims for victory in this prestigious tournament.
Baton Rouge Buzz: Minnesota Gophers Gear Up for Exciting LSU Round Robin Tournament!
This weekend, the University of Minnesota softball team is set to take a trip down south to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where they will participate in the eagerly awaited LSU Round Robin tournament at the picturesque Tiger Park on the LSU campus. It’s an exciting time for the Gophers, as this marks the first time this season they will play in the same time zone for consecutive weeks! After a whirlwind of traveling across various time zones over the last four weekends, a little consistency is sure to feel refreshing.
As it stands, Minnesota’s record is 9-10, but as the team gears up to plunge into Big Ten Conference play starting with a clean slate of 0-0, spirits are high! The tournament will allow them to showcase their skills against some tough opponents. The Gophers will face off against South Alabama (11-10, 0-0 Sun Belt) and the powerhouse #4-ranked LSU Tigers (19-1, 0-0 SEC) not just once, but twice during this thrilling weekend of softball.
Gopher Game Schedule
- Game One: vs. South Alabama on Saturday, March 8 at 1:00 PM (CT)
- Game Two: vs. #4 LSU on Saturday, March 8 at 6:00 PM (CT)
- Game Three: vs. South Alabama on Sunday, March 9 at 11:30 AM (CT)
- Game Four: vs. #4 LSU on Sunday, March 9 at 1:30 PM (CT)
This tournament is particularly special since the LSU Round Robin event was last held in 2020, and it’s the first time Minnesota is stepping into this arena. Get ready for an action-packed lineup featuring the host team LSU Tigers, along with Minnesota and South Alabama. The competition kicks off on Friday, March 7 with the opening match between South Alabama and LSU.
The Gophers can feel confident as they remember their victory over LSU back in 2019, a momentous win that propelled them to the Women’s College World Series. Historically, Minnesota has had the upper hand against South Alabama, leading the head-to-head record with two wins. The Gophers triumphed over South Alabama in 2018 with an impressive 13-3 win and again in February of 2020, dominating with a score of 10-0.
Player Highlights
Recently, Minnesota concluded an impressive showing at the Gopher Indoor Classic, where they finished with a commendable record of 4-1. Standout Taylor Krapf dazzled the audience with a notable .429 batting average, accruing 6 hits, scoring 5 runs, and racking up 7 RBIs during the tournament. Not to be outdone, Jessa Snippes also delivered a phenomenal performance, hitting 2 home runs and thrilling fans with a walk-off Grand Slam against Miami (OH), totaling 7 RBIs!
Key contributors like Sydney Schwartz have shone on the mound as well, posting a record of 1-1 over 20 innings with a solid 2.25 ERA, alongside Natalie Susa who pitched with a perfect 0.00 ERA over 4 innings.
Facing Tough Opponents
Looking ahead, the Gophers will need to be sharp against LSU, who come into the tournament carrying a stellar 19-1 record and a ranking as the #4 team in the nation. Players like Danieca Coffey, boasting a .527 batting average, and Tori Edwards, who has knocked out 7 home runs with a .458 batting average, are going to be players to watch out for. Additionally, South Alabama seems to be struggling with four losses in their last five games but shouldn’t be counted out, especially with key player Gabby Stagner stepping up with 8 home runs and 23 RBIs this season.
With a rich history of 10 NCAA Tournament appearances from 2013-2023, the Gophers are ready to make their mark this weekend. Fans, mark your calendars and get ready to cheer on the Gophers as they aim for victory in Baton Rouge!
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Additional Resources
- Gopher Sports: Gopher Softball Hits the Road for LSU Round Robin
- Wikipedia: Softball
- NOLA: No. 4 LSU Softball Team Isn’t Slowing Down Ahead of Tough Opponents
- Google Search: LSU Softball
- Gopher Sports: Minnesota Defeated by St. Thomas
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Softball
- Gopher Sports: Hosick and Susa Combine for Shutout
- Google News: Gopher Softball
