It's softball season, and around here that means Sara Moulton is in command.
The two-time Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year from Eagan hasn't skipped a beat since she graduated last June and enrolled at the University of Minnesota. In her freshman season for the Gophers, Moulton enters this week's Big Ten games at Wisconsin and Purdue with the poise of a veteran.
Moulton, a three-time Big Ten freshman of the week selection this season, pitched her 12th shutout of the year in a 1-0 victory over Penn State last weekend. She struck out seven in the win before striking out nine in a 2-0 loss to round out a doubleheader.
Moulton's record stands at 22-9. In 207 2/3 innings pitched, she has struck out 255 and kept her ERA to 2.06. She ranks among the top five in the Big Ten in wins, ERA, strikeouts, innings pitched and opposing batting average (.209). Her 80 strikeouts looking leads the conference by 28.
"[Moulton] has gotten better and better every time she steps in the circle," Gophers coach Jessica Allister said.
Moulton's play has been a shot in the arm to a Gophers squad that won only 16 games last season -- and only one at home. It led to the dismissal of longtime co-head coaches Lisa Bernstein and Julie Standering.
This year, the Gophers still are taking their lumps but it's been a much more manageable road. Minnesota defeated then-No. 20 Oklahoma State 1-0 in Stillwater, Okla., on March 13 in the championship game of the Mizuno Classic. Moulton was in the circle, striking out six. It was the Gophers' first victory over a ranked opponent in nearly two years.
Lions finalistsA handful of South metro athletes are among the nominees for this year's St. Paul Lions Club male and female athletes of the year, awarded annually since 1943.
Andrew Hausmann (Rosemount), Destin McCauley (Apple Valley) Frank Veldman (Eastview) and Rachel Banham (Lakeville North) are finalists. The awards will be presented at a banquet on May 17 in Oakdale.
