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Valencia has also shown some life with the bat lately. As a freshman, she looked like a potential star. Maybe she'll bloom as a hitter the rest of the schedule? (The box score listed her as a freshman, so 4 more years? (Just joking.)

If the pitching continues to improve and if reawakened power hitting arrives from Krapf and Ehlke, the Gophers could win a lot of games from here on. These are ifs; it'd be interesting to hear other fans' assessments.

I felt the same after seeing her pitch in Fall ball, but she got no support from her hitters. Batters 5-8 are producing next to nothing even when ahead in the count, which is when pitches need to be driven into the outfield.

A couple of games with Clemson will surely tell something.

Yes, the Gophers offense is looking up, especially with Strelow & Burnett hitting better & hoped-for production from Krapf. They aren't going to beat any high-ranked teams, though, without much better pitching, including Schwartz' return & some added catching help for Krapf. (Where Lindmark...

I have a lot of respect for Piper and would hate to see her go. Yet there are weaknesses on the field that desperately need to be addressed, especially in the circle and in hitting at some positions. At catcher, with Krapf not hitting and Lindmark gone (where did she disappear to?). At first...

Has anybody been able to count how man BBs were issued by teams the past few days? Actually the Gophers' batting order doesn't look too bad as it lined up today. If only Krapf would hit. She'll be under .200. Is she injured? And Lindmark, Why is she off the roster?

Any Really good comments! Any opponent with a decent scouting report immediately sees the Gophers have little hitting production from 2. (with surprisingly low BA from Krapf/Lindmark), 3., 4. (exception v. Charlotte), DP (sporadic power), and 9. That leaves about 4 hitters in the Gophers...

Good to see the Gophers win with their bats for once. But the pitchers must be able to stop the opponents. Who will do it is the question. Dunno who. I only followed the game on stats, but the fact they came back to win hints at a lot of anger and emotional feeling that they put to positive...

I agree with Chase the Rise

That traces back to poor communication between coaches and baserunners, doesn't it?

2 or 3 more players of Oakland & Chavez's caliber plus a pitcher like Schoonover and they'd be there.

Groenewegen was BigTen pitcher of the year as a freshmen. Fiser was 13-0 as a freshman. Since then?

The top half the order feasted on Fordham's pitching. The lower half was typically quiet. You'd think the lower half could at least drive the ball deep v. weaker pitching. Very puzzling.

I'm not frustrated by the addition of such teams to the Big Ten, but at the Gophers not adding the depth of talent to beat them. Sadly, I don't know the solution. Considering some of my previous suggestions, I feel like a fossil from feudalism.

I would think natural refers to location, climate, and the academic standards of the university, and the rigor of its athletic dept., not to super-imposed financial rewards to the athletes.

Do you call that advantage natural?

Great comments, RW, on a complex topic that could take a whole book. I feel that if you have a coach who produces big wins, players of outstanding talent will come there to play, no matter where it is, north, south, east, or west. (For example, who'd ever heard of Indiana softball until they won...

Enter doesn't have super stuff, but she gets batters hitting balls on the ground and lets her infield work.

What natural advantages do states like Indiana, Oklahoma, or Kansas have? I'd say the true advantage is high energy, charismatic coaches able & willing to hit the road relentlessly for talent, plus an ability to teach the game to young people. Especially teach it to players with the ability to...