Sports were a no-brainer growing up for Gophers outfielder Breezy Burnett, but she never expected it to be on the softball field.

Both of Burnett’s siblings played sports growing up. Her sister played basketball, volleyball and gymnastics while her brother played football and basketball. 

“Growing up I thought I was going to have to play basketball,” Burnett said. “Then they stuck me into softball, just randomly.” 

Burnett started playing in 8U softball when girls from her cheerleading team started a softball team. 

While Burnett was initially confused by the sport choice from her parents, her mother Johnette Burnett knew that it was the right decision.

Johnette Burnett grew up loving and playing softball and hoped her daughter would feel the same way. 

“She is fast, she is pretty athletic, she catches on pretty quick,” Johnette Burnett said. “So I just thought that she would fall in love with softball, like I did.” 

Breezy Burnett fell in love with the sport and is now bringing that love to the Gophers.

She started playing for Minnesota back in the 2023 season, scoring 14 runs and drove in 17 runs. 

In the 2024 season, Breezy Burnett started 53 games in the outfield and led the Gophers with 13 stolen bases. Her sophomore year was just the beginning of her accomplishments with the Gophers. 

In 31 games this season, Breezy Burnett hit two home runs, 11 RBI, three triples and three doubles. Her current fielding percentage is .970 with 19  games left in the regular season. 

Her hard work does not go unnoticed, as assistant coach Roya St. Clair works closely with Breezy Burnett. St. Clair is both a hitting and outfield coach, so she sees Breezy’s skills in every aspect of the game. 

“She’s been able to be somebody on the field that we can rely on to bring it every single day,” St. Clair said. “Regardless of outcome you are going to hear her out there trying to pump up her teammates and trying to make sure we are staying in the fight.”

Breezy Burnett’s statistics are not the only thing she brings to the team. Her constant energy is one of her greatest strengths as a Gopher. 

“When you talk about what makes her unique is just being able to bring it every single day,” St. Clair said. “If we need a kick in the butt as a group, you can look to Breezy and say, ‘Hey get us going.’”

This energy translates to every aspect of Breezy Burnett’s life. Johnette Burnett has seen Breezy grow on and off the field. 

Johnette Burnett said that Breezy is a compassionate person who pours herself into the people around her, including her family.

“She is our family’s energy ball,” Johnette Burnett said. “Whenever she’s around you know there is going to be some form of excitement.” 

Despite her impressive season so far, Breezy Burnett said she has goals and improvements she wants to achieve.

“One big goal is to just stay consistent,” Breezy Burnett said. “With a game full of ups and downs, not getting too high or too low. When things do get low, be able to get myself back on a steady line.” 

On a more technical level, St. Clair thinks that Breezy is at the point in her sports career where it is more about learning how to beat a defense. 

“I think for her it is just that maturing piece of understanding what the opposing pitcher is trying to do and how do I combat that,” St. Clair said. 

Not only is she learning creative ways to beat the defense, but Breezy Burnett has a creative way of committing to the Gophers.

“I went bowling and I told myself if I bowled a strike I was committed,” Breezy Burnett said. 

Once the 10th pin hit the hardwood, a future Gophers star found her home.