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Gophers Set for Midweek Road Games at SIUE and Lindenwood
3/9/2026 3:44:00 PM | Softball
MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota returns to nonconference play this week with a pair of midweek road matchups. The Gophers will face SIUE on Tuesday, March 10 at 5:00 p.m. CT in Edwardsville, Ill., before traveling to St. Charles, Mo., to take on Lindenwood on Wednesday, March 11 at 5:00 p.m. CT. Both games will stream live on ESPN+.
GAME ONE
Minnesota (8-15, 1-2 B1G) at SIUE (10-12, 3-0 OVC)
Date: Tuesday, March 10
Time: 5:00 p.m. CT
Location: Edwardsville, Ill.
Stream: ESPN+
GAME TWO
Minnesota (8-15, 1-2 B1G) at Lindenwood (10-11, 2-1 OVC)
Date: Wednesday, March 11
Time: 5:00 p.m. CT
Location: St. Charles, Mo.
Stream: ESPN+
SCOUTING THE COUGARS
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville enters the matchup with a 10-12 overall record and a 3-0 mark in conference play. Offensively, the Cougars are hitting .237 as a team with 119 hits and 60 RBIs through 22 games. Abby Harvell leads the lineup with a .344 batting average and 21 hits, including six doubles, while Ashley Duran (.333) and Raegan Duncan (.306) also provide production near the top of the order. Kaylin Fahy has driven in a team-high 12 RBIs, and the Cougars have also been active on the basepaths with 17 stolen bases in 23 attempts this season.
In the circle, SIUE carries a 4.43 team ERA across 134.1 innings pitched. Mia Volpert has logged the most innings, going 4-4 with a 3.29 ERA in 13 appearances and 10 starts, while Avery Arwood also owns a 3.29 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 34.0 innings. As a staff, the Cougars have recorded 79 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .302 batting average. Defensively, SIUE has posted a .959 fielding percentage on the season.
SCOUTING THE LIONS
Lindenwood enters Wednesday's matchup with a 10-11 overall record and a 2-1 conference mark. The Lions boast a productive offense that is hitting .296 as a team with 168 hits, 107 runs scored and 12 home runs through 21 games. Madisen Noll leads the lineup with a .354 batting average and 23 hits, while Anna Sanders (.355) and Kylee Crowder (.313) have also been key contributors. Emily Geary provides power in the middle of the order with a team-high five home runs and a .692 slugging percentage, while Tori Hatton leads the team with 20 RBIs. Lindenwood has also been aggressive on the bases with 35 stolen bases this season.
In the circle, Lindenwood owns a 4.50 team ERA across 140.0 innings pitched while opponents are batting .312 against the staff. Avery Wapp has been a key arm, going 4-2 with a 3.36 ERA and a team-high 45 strikeouts in 41.2 innings. Ryleigh Owens has also logged significant time in the circle with 35.2 innings pitched and a 3-3 record. As a staff, the Lions have recorded 96 strikeouts while issuing 83 walks. Defensively, Lindenwood holds a .968 fielding percentage on the season.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Tuesday's game will mark the first meeting between Minnesota and SIUE.
Wednesday's matchup will also be the first meeting between Minnesota and Lindenwood.
LAST TIME OUT
Minnesota opened Big Ten play with a 1-2 weekend at Indiana. The Gophers recorded 18 hits and scored six runs across the three-game series. Maggie Werner led Minnesota at the plate, batting .556 (5-for-9) with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored, while Tara Wolocko added four hits (.444). Sydney Schwartz also contributed offensively with two hits, including a home run.
In the circle, Schwartz paced the pitching staff, going 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA and 11 strikeouts over 11.1 innings, highlighted by a complete-game shutout in Minnesota's lone victory of the series.
GOPHER LEADERS
Scarlett Kuhn leads Minnesota at the plate with a .375 batting average, collecting 21 hits and five doubles through 18 games. Maggie Werner has also been a key contributor offensively, hitting .326 with three home runs and eight RBIs while posting a .446 on-base percentage. Tara Wolocko has provided the most power in the lineup, leading the Gophers with six home runs and 16 RBIs while batting .297 with a .608 slugging percentage.
In the circle, Sydney Schwartz has carried the bulk of the innings for Minnesota, going 5-6 with a 3.12 ERA and a team-high 67 strikeouts across 60.2 innings pitched. Macy Richardson has also been a key option in the rotation, posting a 4.07 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 53.1 innings. As a staff, Minnesota pitchers have recorded 137 strikeouts in 146.0 innings this season.
A TRADITION OF GOPHER SOFTBALL
The 2026 season marks the 52nd year of Minnesota softball. Piper Ritter enters her sixth season as head coach and 19th overall with the program. Bailey Oetting (fourth season) and Roya St. Clair (second season) return as assistant coaches, while Stephanie Lombardo joins the staff after serving as a development coach with the Greensboro Grasshoppers (High-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates).
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
Minnesota's 2026 schedule features 51 games, including 27 non-conference matchups and 24 Big Ten contests. The Gophers will face 10 teams that reached the 2025 NCAA Tournament, including Top 25 foes Oklahoma, GCU, Nebraska and Arizona. The season opened with a road-heavy early slate that included trips to California, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. Minnesota hosted its first games at the Gopher Indoor Classic (Feb. 20–22) at U.S. Bank Stadium before Big Ten play began last weekend at Indiana. Conference action includes home series against Illinois, Ohio State, Nebraska and Wisconsin, with road trips to Iowa, Washington and Northwestern. The 2026 Big Ten Tournament is set for May 6–9 in College Park, Md.