Last week we broke down the top four finishing teams in the SEC: Florida, Auburn, Alabama, and LSU. This week we’re moving to the Big Ten to highlight the top teams from 2015 and look ahead to their 2016 seasons. Today is Big Ten No. 2 team the Minnesota Gophers.

When someone mentions the University of Minnesota, most people immediately think of hockey dominance. Very rarely does softball come to mind but maybe is should start.

The Gophers had a record-breaking year last year. They posted all-time highs in wins, win percentage, batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, doubles, home runs, and strikeouts from the pitching staff.

Yes, Gopher softball deserves some recognition.

Much of the success of the program coincides with the tenure of head coach Jennifer Allister. The former Stanford Cardinal standout is in her sixth season at Minnesota, and in her five previous seasons she’s led the Gophers over the 30 win mark. Allister will have to build on her success without her first recruiting class.


Coach Jennifer Allister (middle) has been instrumental in turning around the Gopher Softball program the last five seasons

The Gophers lose seven seniors from Allister’s first recruiting class including first baseman Kaitlyn Richardson. The first round draft pick for the Dallas Charge this summer started all 224 games she played for Minnesota. Her contributions, both offensively and defensively, won’t go unnoticed by the team. Last season she was second in batting average (.374) and third in runs batted in (47) while posting a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage on 360 chances.

Another key loss for the Gophers is shortstop Tyler Walker. She led the team with 50 runs batted in last season and finished her career second all-time in home runs with 43.

Good news for Minnesota is that they return all four of their pitchers from last year, including ace Sara Groenewegen. Groenewegen was named Big Ten Player of the Year last year as a sophomore, making her the first Gopher since 1991 to receive the award. She was also part of the Softball Canada team that won gold at the Pan American Games this summer, breaking the United States’ streak of seven consecutive wins. The second team All-American pitcher carried an ERA of 1.67 in 2015 while leading the Gophers in home runs with 12 and third in batting average at .372.


2015 Big Ten Player of the Year Sara Groenewegen

Sophomore Danielle Parlich also returns for the Gophers in 2016. The freshman had a standout year in 2015, starting all 60 games for Minnesota at second base and leading the team in batting average (.400) and hits (78). Parlich was the first freshman in school history to hit 400 and won All Big Ten first team honors. Third baseman Sam Macken brings speed back to the Gopher lineup. The junior was a perfect 14-for-14 on the basepaths and started all 60 games last year at third base.

Coach Allister signed three freshman for the 2016 season and had this to say about her new Gophers in a Minnesota Softball press release, "This class will bring a good combination of speed and power to the program. Our staff has really enjoyed getting to know each of these student-athletes and their families throughout the recruiting process. We can't wait to get them on campus next fall."

Leading the offensive fire power of the class is Maddie Houlihan. As a junior Houlihan broke her high school records for for hits (200), total bases (304), steals (132), runs (136) and runs batted in (113). Former Minnesota Renegade Taylor Chell also joins the Gophers, as does Oregon native outfielder/catcher Jesse Isham.


Catcher/outfielder Jesse Isham is one of three freshman for Minnesota this season

A Big Ten Tournament win in 2014 and a No. 19 spot in the NCAA Women's Softball RPI rankings in 2015, Gopher Softball just keeps getting better. Could 2016 be the year they knock off Michigan and find themselves in the Women’s College World Series?