The Gophers softball team believes it has the cure for the Monday blues.
The fix is an 81-second highlight video of the team finishing off Idaho State 12-2 on Sunday to improve to a perfect 14-0 and survive as just one of six unbeaten teams in the country.
The Gophers have remained undefeated throughout the first month of the season despite playing every game on the road. They swept the field at the Texas Tournament in Austin, including two wins over Texas, to kick off the season. They also swept the B1G/ACC Challenge in Raleigh, N.C., with wins over Notre and North Carolina State. Last weekend, the Gophers won five games at the Fresno State Tournament.
Among the six unbeaten teams, the Gophers are only one of three with 14 or more wins. In the new coach's poll that was released Tuesday, the Gophers are 10th -- but received a first-place vote from one of the 32 voters. They are 11th in the ESPN.com rankings.
Gophers new football coach P.J. Fleck took notice of the hot start and tweeted to the softball team, "Elite job!! Congrats!!." The team responded by inviting him to practice, probably when spring arrives.
Four of the Gophers' victories were result of the 10-run rule and they've outscored their opponents 101-29. Sydney Dwyer, MaKenna Partain, Maddie Houlihan and Kendyl Lindaman all are hitting above .400 led by Dwyer's .488 average and 18 RBI. Danielle Parlich is not far behind, hitting .396.
All-American pitcher Sara Groenewegen leads the pitching staff with seven wins, 53 strikeouts and a 0.66 ERA in 42.1 innings.
The Gophers will face their biggest test of the season Saturday when they face No. 7/8 LSU Saturday in Baton Rouge, La., and a week later visit No. 7/8 Washington.
Softball fans will have to wait more than a month to see the Gophers on the field in Minnesota. Their first home game is April 4 against South Dakota.
Before returning home to Jane Sage Cowles Stadium, the Gophers will have played 33 games, visited eight states and 10 different cities. Sixteen of their final 21 games will be played at home.
The best way to follow the unbeaten Gophers while they're on the road is through the team's Twitter account or Game Tracker. This weekend's game against LSU can be viewed on the SEC Network Plus.
The Gophers' cure for the Monday blues:
Photo courtesy of Gophers athletics
