2012 •SOPHOMORE SEASON: Started every game in center field • hit a career-high .245 from the plate with a .338 on-base percentage • stole six bases, which tied for second on the team • went a perfect 2-for-2 from the plate while also notching her first career home run against Iowa State (Feb. 17) • tallied her second homer of the season and her career in the team's second meeting with Iowa State (Feb. 19) • hit 3-for-3 and stole two bases against Notre Dame (Feb. 26) • began a season-long, five-game hitting streak against Providence (Mar. 9) • during the hitting streak, went 5-for-14 with three RBI and scored one run • her hitting streak ended against Idaho State (Mar. 17) • tallied a double and two RBI in the series opener against Nebraska (Mar. 31) • went 3-for-6 with a home run in the midweek doubleheader against Green Bay (Apr. 11) • helped the Gophers take 2-of-3 from Northwester (Apr. 14-15) by going 4-for-9 at the plate with a double, three RBI and scoring twice • notched a hit and scored twice in Game Two of the Michigan series (Apr. 21).
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.
GET TO KNOW BREE BLANCHETTE: Why the University of Minnesota? I decided to come to Minnesota because I really liked the campus and a lot of my family participated on various athletic teams here. It just felt right.
What is it like playing for Minnesota? I love playing for Minnesota and being able to wear the Maroon and Gold! I wouldn't want to play for any other school.
Favorite aspect of softball? Hitting is definitely
First softball memory? I remember trying out for a fastpitch softball team for the first time and being extremely nervous because I didn't think I was going to make the team.
Game/reality show you would like to be on? I think it would be awesome to be on American Idol...if I could sing.
Favorite place to eat in Dinkytown? I love to eat at Annie's. They have the best malts.
If you could choose one person (past or present) to eat lunch with, who would it be and why? Danny Valencia because then he could introduce me to the rest of the Twins!
Favorite TV show as a kid? I loved Sponge Bob when I was younger.
If your life had background music, what song/artist would be playing? "Lose Yourself" by Eminem because the song motivates me especially during our workouts.
Bucket List Skydive Travel to Belize with my family
