College Softball News

Big Ten Softball 2018: What and Who to Watch

2017 Conference Champs: Minnesota

For the first time since 1991, the Minnesota Gophers were crowned as B1G Regular Season Champions. The team also won their second straight Big Ten Tournament title, which was also the third time in the past four years for the Maroon and Gold.

Team to Watch in 2018: Minnesota

The reigning B1G regular season and tournament champs, will return to the playing field for the 2018 season led by new head coach Jamie Trachsel. The Gophers finished the 2017 season with a 56-5 record and went 22-1 in B1G play. The Minnesota offense can expect to be a dominant force again this upcoming season. As a team, the Gophers posted a .343 batting average and recorded 438 runs on 560 hits, leading the way in almost all B1G conference offensive statistics. Minnesota’s 2017 season ended with two losses to Alabama at the Tuscaloosa Regional.

Pitcher(s) to Watch: Amber Fiser, Minnesota

Fiser returns to the Gophers after an impressive freshman campaign. Fiser finished the season with a (14-0) record with (83) strikeouts, and a (1.68) ERA in (87.2) innings pitched. The Sophomore should be expected to earn the ball in the circle for the 2018 season. She will also be joined by Junior veteran and LSU transfer Sydney Smith.

Sydney Smith, Minnesota

In two seasons with LSU, Smith went (25-11) and holds a career ERA of (1.64). She recorded (129) strikeouts in (204) innings pitched. She was a 2016 Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Top-25 finalist going (13-4) with a (1.16) ERA in her first season. In her career, Smith has earned SEC Pitcher of the Week, USA Softball Collegiate National Player of the Week and Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Pitcher of the Week honors.

Kaitlyn Menz, Wisconsin

Menz also had an impressive freshman campaign for the Badgers. The freshman finished the 2017 season with a (24-12) record, a (2.55) ERA and (134) strikeouts in (233.1) innings pitched. Menz turned heads in the postseason when she pitched Wisconsin to a win against Missouri and held her own against Oregon, who reached the Women’s College World Series. After a year under her belt, softball viewers can expect Menz ready to lead the Badgers in the 2018 season.

Player to Watch: Kendyl Lindaman, Minnesota

The Gopher catcher in her freshman campaign for the Maroon and Gold posted a team-best batting average (.426), slugging percentage (.899), on-base percentage (.598), RBI (76), walks (63) and home runs (20). On top of setting a new single-season record for home runs, she also earned eight Big Ten Freshman of the Week awards setting a Big Ten single-season record. Lindaman was named the Big Ten Player and Freshman of the Year and was also an NFCA First-Team All-American and named Division I NFCA Sports Diamond Catcher of the Year.

2018 Conference Champion Prediction: Minnesota

With the B1G softball conference now split into two divisions, Minnesota should be expected to earn back-to-back regular-season titles. Minnesota will have to wait until the B1G Tournament to face Ohio State and Michigan in the 2018 season.

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