The Minnesota Gophers softball team returned home this weekend for their first home series. They came away with a series win against the University of Illinois, taking two of the three games.
After starting the season mostly on the road, the Gophers came into the weekend feeling confident following their series win over the University of Iowa.
Senior pitcher Sydney Schwartz said the team’s confidence has grown as different parts of the game have started to come together.
“I feel like we had a lot of good sparks happen offensively, defensively and in the circle,” Schwartz said.
She added the team has focused on learning from mistakes during the week while continuing to build on what they are doing well.
Junior Tara Wolocko said their preparation has been a key part of that improvement, especially when facing different pitchers.
“We talk a lot about practicing what we’re not necessarily best at,” Wolocko said. “We are comfortable with the uncomfortable.”
Wolocko said the team has made an effort to improve situational hitting and find different ways to score.
“We have to scrap around for runs and get gritty,” Wolocko said.
Standout performances
That confidence and preparation showed in the first game of the series.
Minnesota opened with a 5-2 win Friday behind a complete-game performance from Schwartz, who allowed just three hits. Sophomore Tinley Easton led the offense with four RBIs, including a three-run home run that helped extend the lead.
The second game was a different story.
Illinois came out strong Saturday, scoring 10 runs in the first two innings on the way to a 14-6 win. Minnesota responded with a two-run home run from freshman Cassie Johnson and a three-RBI game from senior Maggie Werner, but the early deficit was too much to overcome.
The loss highlighted struggles in Minnesota’s pitching rotation, as the Gophers used multiple pitchers to try to contain Illinois’ early offense. The inconsistency carried over into the field, but Schwartz helped reset in Sunday’s final game, keeping Illinois off balance and giving Minnesota control.
Schwartz threw another complete game, allowing five hits and no runs.
Minnesota scored early in the first inning when Werner hit a solo home run. They added another run in the sixth when junior Jessa Snippes hit an RBI single to score Easton.
The Gophers had five hits and played strong defense to finish the weekend, winning 2-0 and taking the series.
What’s next
The Gophers will hit the road for a matchup against the University of St. Thomas on Wednesday, before returning home for a three-game series against Ohio State University next weekend.
