Fresh off a BIG 8-6 win over #18/#17 South Carolina, the Hokies softball team has an even bigger opportunity on Saturday as they will take on #19/#18 Missouri at 1:00pm and #14/#13 Minnesota at 5:00pm. Both games will be streamed on ESPN3.

Missouri is one of the hottest teams in the country at the moment, coming into Saturday’s game, sitting at 8-0 after wins this weekend over Kansas (8-0 in 5 innings), Liberty (5-4) and Oklahoma State (3-2 in 8 innings). The Tigers are banned from postseason play this season due to academic misconduct, so they are playing every game like it’s a tournament elimination game. .

There’s been very little shuffling in the Missouri lineup as 8 players have started every game, Based on those games, the top of the order will probably be junior center fielder Brooke Wilmes (.321 average), sophomore shortstop Jazmyn Rollin (.423), junior left fielder Cayla Kessinger (.250), junior third baseman Kimberly Wert (.346), and junior Hatti Moore (.364).

Five different Tiger pitchers have recorded wins so far this season with Jordan Weber and Megan Schumacher getting three starts each. Closer Eli Daniel has not allowed a run in 7 innings and has picked up two late inning wins.

The Minnesota Gophers made it to the College World Series last season and stand at 4-3 this year after splitting Friday’s games. In the first game, the Gophers lost to Carrie Eberle and Oklahoma State 2-0, but came from behind in the nightcap to upset #5 Florida State 7-6.

The Gophers have 5 players hitting over 300 this season, led by two-time ALL Big Ten shortstop Makenna Partain (417 average). She’s helped out by Natalie DenHartog (.389), Sydney Strelow (.333), Emily Hansen (.304) and Carlie Brandt (.304)

In the circle, the Gophers are led by returning Big 10 Pitcher of the Year and All American Amber Fiser. She has pitched in all 7 of Minnesota’s games and although her ERA is 3.61, she has struck out 52 hitters in 31 innings. She pitched great against Oklahoma State, but her one mistake was a 2 run homer and that was all Carrie needed to get the win.

It's a great opportunity for the Hokies. It's supposed to be sunny with the high in the mid 70s so it should be a great day for softball.

Let's Go Hokies!!!!