After a slow start to their season, the Gophers softball team hopes to turn the tide and grow as the season progresses. 

The Gophers spent the last three weeks on the road, but they will finally see Gophers fans in the crowd of U.S. Bank Stadium. The Gophers will play five games in three days this upcoming weekend. 

Minnesota’s current 5-9 record is not where the team wants to be sitting.  

Head coach Piper Ritter said the team needs to improve for this upcoming weekend. 

“We have to take care of the ball,” Ritter said. “For us, we have to keep working on limiting the freebies. Make them earn every 60 feet they get.” 

Ritter is not the only person who wants to help the team improve. Catcher Taylor Krapf said she wants to achieve a couple of her own goals alongside winning games. 

“I think consistency, sometimes there are going to be bad at-bats or bad games,” Krapf said. “Just finding that happy medium of just being consistent through every game. Doing whatever I can to help the team.” 

Despite the losses, Krapf’s season is off to a good start. She hit three home runs, nine runs batted in (RBIs) and 52 putouts (PO) in 14 games. Krapf said she is proud of her ability to bounce back. 

“If I don’t have a good at-bat or don’t have a good game, just being able to reset and get the next one,” Krapf said. “Just being able to bounce back and not let my past define what’s coming in the future.” 

Ritter started coaching for the Gophers 17 years ago, holding various positions.

She spent 13 years as the pitching coach and four years as the head coach. Prior to working for the Gophers, Ritter played for the team from 2001 to 2004. 

She said she would like to see the team’s resilience heading into Big Ten play. 

“We have a really tough schedule and right now we are a little banged up,” Ritter said. “So getting back down there and getting people healthy for the stretch of our post spring break.”

Both Ritter and Krapf agreed that the team’s main goal for the season is to win. 

“To finish in the top of the Big Ten because if you finish top of the Big Ten you give yourself the chance to go to regionals, if you go to regionals you give yourself a chance to go to the college world series,” Ritter said. 

Excitement is high for this upcoming weekend as the Gophers have yet to play at home this season. 

“We love to play at home and we love to play with our fans,” Ritter said. “People get to come and watch Gopher softball in February and March that never happens. So that’s what’s exciting about it.”

The first game of the Gopher Indoor Classic is on Feb. 28 at 4:30 p.m. against North Dakota State.

Growing up, Gophers junior forward Jimmy Snuggerud did not have much to do during the winter but skate in the backyard with his family, a skill that proved useful for his future career.

Snuggerud is not the first in his family to play hockey. His father, Dave Snuggerud, played with the Gophers from 1985 to 1989 and professionally for over 250 games. His grandfather, James Westby played for the Gophers from 1958 to 1963.

Snuggerud and his siblings Jake, Ellie and Emma spent a lot of time playing hockey together growing up. However, it was his dad that got him started. 

“He kind of just put a stick in my hand early, and I obviously liked it,” Snuggerud said. “I probably first started skating when I was two years old, but like real association, I probably started as a Mite when I was seven or eight.” 

Snuggerud is showing his many years of experience, currently sitting at 21 goals and 22 assists this season. He is only seven points away from his career-high for the Gophers, with 50 points in the 2021-2022 season. 

His performance on the ice led to him being the Hockey Commissioners Association Player of the Month in January. Additionally, he was named the Big Ten First Star of the Week on three separate occasions this season. 

For Snuggerud, goals and assists are not the only things he plays for. What he loves most about being a part of the Gophers is the team. 

“I think that team aspect is just so fun,” Snuggerud said. “I think that’s so special. Just to do it here at home, in Minnesota, makes it even more special.” 

Snuggerud being a third-generation Gopher is not lost on him, despite his grandfather playing over 60 years ago. 

“I think that’s kind of a cool side aspect of being a Gopher is that third-generation piece. It’s just something special that I don’t think about often, but when I do, it just reminds me of why I came back and why I’m here,” Snuggerud said.  

Gophers defender Ryan Chesley talked about what the fans do not know about Snuggerud just by seeing his stats. 

“He works hard every day,” Chesley said. “Away from the puck, he is great, a super smart player. Off the ice, he has been a great leader and helping out with the younger guys. Helping this team come together as one.” 

Chesley and Snuggerud are co-captains together with Mike Koster, Aaron Huglen, Mason Nevers and Cal Thomas. 

“We get along really well, you know we have been friends forever,” Chesley said. “On the ice, we work well together and I think that just flows over everywhere.”

While Snuggerud may not have gotten any assists or goals during their first game in the series against Ohio State on Feb. 21, he still played a role for the Gophers. 

Gophers head coach Bob Motzko said his mindset changed regarding the pace of the game.

“He made a lot of plays tonight, knowing he had to make smarter plays in a tight game,” Motzko said. “Where I think in the past he would get a little frustrated because he wants to get to the offense fast.” 

This season made it clear that all of Snuggerud’s hard work and dedication to hockey paid off. With two games left in the regular season, there is only one thing on Snuggerud’s mind — to win.

“Personal goals come when your team is playing well and that is what I am most focused on right now,”  Snuggerud said. “We just gotta win some hockey games and hopefully win a national championship.”