No. 15 Minnesota will return to the Twin Cities this weekend, taking on Illinois in its first home series of the season.
The Gophers opened Big Ten play last week with two wins over No. 18 Nebraska, extending their winning streak to eight games. They lost in the third game of the series to snap that winning streak.
Still, Minnesota improved to 24-4 on the season and has won seven of its last eight games.
Gophers first-team All-Big Ten infielder Kaitlyn Richardson said finally playing at home gives the team an chance to re-
energize amid a long season.