FPN Game of the Week No. 6 Minnesota vs. No. 15 LSU
Each week FPN will focus on a game or series of the week. Heading into weekend four, there are only two undefeated DI teams left. The Minnesota Gophers (14-0) are off to their best start in program history with a 14-0 record. The LSU Tigers are 13-3 on the year with a 9-1 home record.
This weekend Minnesota and LSU will square off at the LSU Invitational on Saturday March 4th at 7:30pm. This will be the Gophers second game of the day as they play Florida Atlantic at 3:30pm before the LSU matchup.
At the Plate
The Gophers offense has been booming since opening weekend, batting .347 as a team. The offense has been led by Junior Sydney Dwyer who is batting .488 with 20 hits, 18 RBI, and a slugging percentage of .756. Close behind in the offensive numbers category are the freshman due of MaKenna Partain and Kendyl Lindaman. Partain, is batting .465 on the season with 20 hits and 10 RBIs. Lindaman holds a .405 average with 17 hits, 10 RBI, and is leading the team with four home runs. The Gophers have four players batting over .400 and two more hitting above .350 heading into week four.
The Tiger offense has been led by Senior outfielder Bailey Landry who is batting .547 on the season with 29 hits, 21 runs scored, two doubles, three triples, 13 RBI, and a slugging percentage of .755. The Tigers also have four players hitting over .400 and five more hitting above .300 on the season. The Tigers have outscored opponents 116-34 in three weeks.
In the Circle
Senior Gopher pitcher Sara Groenewegen has been lights out on the mound this season. The two-time All American senior hurler is 7-0 heading into weekend four with 42.1 innings pitched, a 0.66 ERA, 53 strikeouts, and has held opponents to a .144 batting average. Freshman pitcher Amber Fiser is 3-0 with a 2.62 ERA and 18 strike outs on the season.
In the circle for LSU this season has been Minnesota native Sydney Smith. The Sophomore is 5-1 on the season and has posted a team best 0.94 ERA with 20 strikeouts and has only allowed six runs in 29.2 innings pitched. Carley Hoover is 2-0 on the season with 31.1 innings pitched, 45 strike outs, and a 1.12 ERA. Allie Walljasper has also seen pitching time for the Tigers this season and has a 5-1 record with a 1.42 ERA and 20 strike outs.
FPN Analysis and Prediction
This could turn out to be quite the showdown on Saturday night. The whole weekend will be a test for the Gophers who take on Troy and Florida Atlantic before the LSU game of the week. If the Gophers are able to keep the offensive momentum going into the weekend, they will be tough to keep off the bases. Senior Sara Gronewegen is likely to get the ball for the Gophers who shut down LSU last season in the matchup. Who gets the ball in the circle for LSU this time around is the question? Do the Tigers go with Minnesota native Smith or their Junior Hoover?
Pick: Minnesota
