Gopher softball 2021

[ClassOf98Gopher]

If we go 3-1 against Michigan we will both be at 8 losses but Michigan will have 2 more wins. Assuming they beat Michigan State Wednesday. So yes, the Wisconsin games are huge. If we don’t get it done this weekend, then it won’t matter. Let’s go get the sweep. Go gophers.

This weekend is the ultimate weekend for the Gophers softball program.

As the last weekend at home this year, I hope the players can both really enjoy it as well as play very well.

There is about a 75 percent chance that the Gophers won’t make it out of their regional that they will travel to, probably getting a second seed in that regional. If somehow they get through that, there is about a 90 percent chance that they will get buzz-sawed at a super regional again having to travel and potentially against one of the two or three truly exceptional teams in college softball (Oklahoma, UCLA [and maybe Washington when Gabbie Plain is in the circle]).

 

[Gopher68]

I think this helps answer an earlier question. Players may not develop much in college. You come with the tools or you don't. And so it's about recruiting the talent. The players just play like they always have no matter the coach. (I'll have one caveat to that, pitching may develop)

I think one of the reasons that college players don't improve as much as they did earlier is the reduction in the number of competitive games they play. From early ages thru high school, they play a lot of games during the summer months. When they get to college, they play a short fall season and the regular season games only. Reserve players don't get as many repetitions during these games and have less chance to improve. I think you might see continued improvement of the reserve players if there were summer leagues for college softball players like there is for baseball.

 

[let'sbeclear]

I thought I had read in some earlier comment that the Gophers and Wisconsin might try to make up some of those postponed games, with one or two mid-week games, like Michigan and Michgan State did (or are doing). Is there some reason this hasn't been done? I realize no game could be scheduled for this week, as it's finals week at the U, but next week maybe?

 

[ClassOf98Gopher]

I thought I had read in some earlier comment that the Gophers and Wisconsin might try to make up some of those postponed games, with one or two mid-week games, like Michigan and Michgan State did (or are doing). Is there some reason this hasn't been done? I realize no game could be scheduled for this week, as it's finals week at the U, but next week maybe?

I would assume next week; it has to be next week for there to be make-up games at all; but all of that assumes that Wisconsin’s sequestration period ends by that time (preferably Wednesday or possibly Thursday of next week)... and I just don’t think anyone in the public knows when that period ends for their players.

 

[ClassOf98Gopher]

I see Olivia Peterson is no longer on the roster.

She is not yet in Softball America’s Transfer Tracker... but maybe that is coming soon. Or, maybe she is just going to focus on school and real life, which makes a lot of sense to me; but I was not a college athlete.

... and Olivia Peterson is now in the D1Softball Transfer Tracker. Presently she is the only Gopher transferring out.

 

[rwlarson]

I would assume next week; it has to be next week for there to be make-up games at all; but all of that assumes that Wisconsin’s sequestration period ends by that time (preferably Wednesday or possibly Thursday of next week)... and I just don’t think anyone in the public knows when that period ends for their players.

While reading the preview for the Michigan series on Gophersports.com, I noticed that they will not be making up any of the Wisconsin series.

I suspect not being included in the final 20 regional host sites probably had something to do with that decision, assuming we placed a bid.

 

[rowdaboat]

... and Olivia Peterson is now in the D1Softball Transfer Tracker. Presently she is the only Gopher transferring out.

Bunch of underclassmen are getting screwed by the extra covid years

 

[ClassOf98Gopher]

Bunch of underclassmen are getting screwed by the extra covid years

But... I am pretty sure we would have been down in the Big Ten standings along with Iowa and Ohio State without Partain and Fiser on the roster this year. That one year sinking back to the middle of the Big Ten softball standings could have really provided a negative jolt to our Softball team’s reputation.

On balance, COVID helped the softball team. (Fwiw, COVID hurt the Gopher baseball team).

 

[let'sbeclear]

On Wednesday, Michigan State gave Michigan a pretty good battle. The game went 9 innings, with Michigan winning 1-0 behind 22 strikeouts by Storako.

 

[Gopher68]

Interview with MaKenna Partain. Contains a brief discussion of upcoming series with MI.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gophers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc^tfw">#Gophers</a> get ready for the weekend series, listen in as <a href="https://twitter.com/makennapartain2?ref_src=twsrc^tfw">@makennapartain2</a> previews the series! <a href="https://t.co/ZIklzfeRFS">pic.twitter.com/ZIklzfeRFS</a></p>&mdash; Minnesota Softball (@GopherSoftball) <a href="">May 7, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ClassOf98Gopher]

I am worried about this strike zone. It seems way low and outside to me. How are we going to touch the ball if Beaubien hits that spot?

 

[MRJ]

I am worried about this strike zone. It seems way low and outside to me. How are we going to touch the ball if Beaubien hits that spot?

This ump is REALLY generous with the outside corner. Gonna have to adjust the approach or it's gonna be a long night.

 

[ClassOf98Gopher]

I am having 2017, Alexis Osorio flashbacks.

 

[mngolf]

Yeah, HATE HATE HATE called strike 3. Never want to see again. Gophers watching good pitches, swinging at bad. This game annoyed me from the get go.

 

[ClassOf98Gopher]

When the Gopher lineup was posted, I thought that was probably our most potent lineup under the assumption that we would start our strongest defensive short stop. So it was very disappointing to me in how we couldn’t even put up one run.

Also, I really didn’t like the ump’s low and outside strike-zone. But Michigan’s pitchers were so extremely accurate to be able to exploit that spot that became so very apparent as a “strike” after Allen already hit that top of the first home-run.

I just really thought Minnesota had the more powerful and therefore dangerous batting lineup as compared to Michigan. It sure didn’t look that way at all tonight.

 

[Hrothgar]

When the Gopher lineup was posted, I thought that was probably our most potent lineup under the assumption that we would start our strongest defensive short stop. So it was very disappointing to me in how we couldn’t even put up one run.

Also, I really didn’t like the ump’s low and outside strike-zone. But Michigan’s pitchers were so extremely accurate to be able to exploit that spot that became so very apparent as a “strike” after Allen already hit that top of the first home-run.

I just really thought Minnesota had the more powerful and therefore dangerous batting lineup as compared to Michigan. It sure didn’t look that way at all tonight.

A passive & unspirited performance. BTN's Recall program afterward showed what the Gophers had before: Groenewegen plus a spirit & passion for the game.

 

[MRJ]

Congrats to Michigan on effectively winning the conference. Bottom line is this team simply isn't good enough to beat a really good mixture of hitting and pitching.

Just an unfortunate truth. At this point. I'm just hoping they don't get swept.

 

[mngolf]

A passive & unspirited performance. BTN's Recall program afterward showed what the Gophers had before: Groenewegen plus a spirit & passion for the game.

Watching that show I immediately noticed how aggressive the hitters were compared to now. Grrr

 

[ClassOf98Gopher]

A passive & unspirited performance. BTN's Recall program afterward showed what the Gophers had before: Groenewegen plus a spirit & passion for the game.

I am not absolutely certain about the passive and unspirited critique but I 100 percent agree about the Groenewagen comment as compared against the 2021 team. She was exceptional (probably a lot like Storoko - maybe a little better over a four year career) and if a team has exceptional (not just very good) pitching, they are so hard to beat.

Teams with the best players win.

 

[4EverAGopher]

Switched TV Provider and no longer able to watch the BTN.

Does anybody have concerns about the 14 strikeouts for this Gopher team for next season? Honestly, if most of us are, can the stats from Game 1 be a total surprise?

 

[AZGopher8]

Switched TV Provider and no longer able to watch the BTN.

Does anybody have concerns about the 14 strikeouts for this Gopher team for next season? Honestly, if most of us are, can the stats from Game 1 be a total surprise?

I was concerned about the strikeouts earlier in the year against weaker pitching, but yesterday the strike zone was EXTREMELY GENEROUS, especially for the lefty pitcher throwing to the outside on a lefty batter! In addition, the second time through the order the team made adjustments and did a much better job of putting the ball in play.

 

[rowdaboat]

Didn't realize they were letting people in, is it free admission or what?

 

[mngolf]

And a repeat of yesterday.

 

[mngolf]

Perhaps we should have tried someone other than Fiser to begin?

 

[ClassOf98Gopher]

Perhaps we should have tried someone other than Fiser to begin?

Ah... need hitting! I can’t really blame Fiser.

And I don’t get at all not pinch hitting for our 9 batter!

 

[4EverAGopher]

Unfortunately, it appears the allowing of Seniors to return has not done justice to all of them. Sure Fiser is not happy with the season she is having.

By the way, is Pease injured and not pitching today at all?

 

[mngolf]

Yes, need hitting. But can't have your ace allowing early runs, it sets the tone. And now it's more than just early.

 

[rowdaboat]

Great chance to get one of the bench pitchers an inning if they can extend to 7th

 

[mngolf]

Exactly, use your bench. Play the players that have been sitting there all season. Why not have our big HR threat off the bench try to hit a grand slam there?

 

[rowdaboat]

Northwestern really struggling in standings, that's too bad so sad