Minnesota sweeps North Dakota State to close out their fall season.
2011 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Started 54 games as a freshman in 2011 • recorded a .214 batting average (25-for-117) • scored 12 runs and knocked in 10 RBI • tallied 22 walks and hit by two pitches • had a .348 on-base percentage • went 7-for-8 on stolen base attempts, which gave her the second most on the team • knotched first career start and hit in the season opener at New Mexico State, where she went 1-for-3 with two RBI and scored a run • recorded first career extra base hit with a RBI double against UC Riverside (March 4) • went 2-for-4 versus Northern Colorado (March 11) for first multi-hit game of career • boosted batting average over .200 for first time since Feb. 13 after a 2-for-2 effort against Iowa (April 13) • went 4-for-6 in the two-game series versus No. 2 Michigan • finished the season on a strong note posting a May batting average of .350 (7-for-20).
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2010 graduate of Eagan (Minn.)High School • played for coach Courtney Dully • a member of the 2008 state championship team and the 2009 state consolation championship team • earned all-section honors in 2008 and 2009 as well as all-metro accolades in 2010 • served as team captain as a senior in 2010 • posted a .446 batting average in 2010 •high school teammate offellow Gophers freshman Sara Moulton • a four-year letter winner in softball, also lettered twice in volleyball • also played for the Minnesota Sting (2008) and Minnesota Blizzard (2009-10) • listed on Eagan's A Honor Roll.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Mike and PattyBlanchette • mother, Patty (Hammond),was a member of the Gophers women's gymnastics team from 1983-84 • grandfather, Bruce Hammond, played football at Minnesota from 1956-59 • uncle, Bob Hammond, wrestled for the Gophers from 1979-81 • credits her most memorable sports thrill as winning state in 2008 • lists going to the cabin and spending time with family and friends as her hobbies.
