returning from last season’s team that finished 37-19.
Senior Wendy Logue started three games for Minnesota, and despite her 1-2 record, pitched strong.
Logue went 17 innings and struck out a team-high eight batters, as she finished the tourney with a 2.06 ERA. She went six shutout innings in the 5-0 win against Western Illinois and gave up one earned and one unearned run against Missouri in a complete game loss.
She was hung for another loss in the Gophers 5-1 defeat to Kansas in the semifinals after going three innings and giving up two runs.
The other returning hurler is Steph Klaviter. Klaviter started two games and went 10 1/3 innings while striking out seven. She failed to pick up a decision in either start and finished with a 2.03 ERA.
The surprise of the weekend was delivered by spunky freshman Rayny Camacho. Camacho started only one game for the Gophers, but came in as relief in four others. The lanky fire-baller went 2-1 with a 1.91 ERA in 11 innings of work.
Junior Erin Brophy, who was a utility infielder last season, donned the catcher’s gear and stepped in the void left by Bartholmey’s graduation.
Bartholmey had started 235 straight games for Minnesota, so Brophy came into the position with no experience.
With the exception of a couple of miscues against Kansas, the Brophy handled the new position well. Against the Jayhawks, Brophy committed one error and allowed two passed balls, resulting in three runs scored.
The Gophers’ next home game is April 2 against Mankato State.