The Gophers softball team is quietly having an awesome season. The Gophers (32-6, 10-3) will play at Michigan (33-6, 12-0) this weekend with a chance to move into first place in the Big Ten with a sweep.

The Wolverines lead the conference in hitting (.363), pitching (1.54 ERA) and fielding (.981) and are 9-0 at home.

But the U also has got some talent. The Gophers are second in ERA (1.80) and lead the league with 47 homers (Michigan is third with 35).

The Gophers won two of three from hard-hitting Northwestern last weekend, taking the rubber game 3-1 on Sunday on Sara Gronewegen's five-hitter. The Wildcats had scored 18 runs in the first two games.

Tyler Walker hit a two-run homer for the U in the third game and also got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to drive in all three runs.

The Gophers are 10-2 in road games.

Minnesota is No. 19 in the national RPI ratings in softball, Michigan is No. 18.