After dropping a one-run game to Illinois State on Tuesday, Illinois softball faces a critical doubleheader this weekend against Minnesota.

Although the Golden Gophers have just one win in 12 conference games and are dead last in the Big Ten, after this weekend, the Illini will play eight games against ranked opponents to close out regular season play.

“It’s extremely important to get two wins,” said senior first baseman Jenna Hall. “Getting two wins against Minnesota would secure us a place in the tournament.”

Winning two conference games could solidify Illinois’ position to qualify as one of eight teams to compete in the Big Ten conference tournament. Currently, Illinois ranks sixth in the Big Ten with a 5-6 conference record, but only one game separates the Illini from fourth.

“We really believe our Illinois softball team can beat anyone on any given day,” said head coach Terri Sullivan. “We do know, however, that we have to be playing good softball to do that.”

On Tuesday, Illinois faced an Illinois State team who was offensively similar to the Illini. Both teams were in the top 25 in the country in terms of home runs. Illinois currently leads the Big Ten with 42 round trippers – eight different Illini players have hit at least one.

Minnesota, on the other hand, has hit just seven homers in its first 37 games, ranking last in the conference. Illinois senior first baseman Jenna Hall alone outnumbers Minnesota with 12 blasts.

The Golden Gophers like to play small ball, getting runners on and advancing them with bunts and driving those runners home with timely hitting.

“Minnesota, traditionally, is always a strong team,” Sullivan said. “They always have solid pitching and defense and they play fundamental softball. Their record really doesn’t reflect how good they are.”

Although Minnesota ranks last in the conference record-wise and offensively, Sullivan said not to underestimate them, especially because the Gophers are playing at home for the first time in 37 games.

“Playing at home is always a huge advantage in the Big Ten,” Hall said. “When you’re on the road for that long and come back to play at home, teams usually bring their game to a different level.”

Last year against Minnesota, junior catcher Megan Higginbotham killed Illinois. The three-year starter went 5-8 with a home run, a double and two RBI, but this wasn’t enough to keep the Illini from taking two games from Minnesota at Eichelberger Field.

This season, Higginbotham, like Minnesota, seems to have hit a wall offensively. Through the team’s first 12 conference games, Higginbotham is hitting just .097, more than 200 points below her career average.

Although Minnesota’s catcher has not looked her best lately, Sullivan said not to count her out any time she comes up to the plate.

“She’s a great player,” said starting pitcher Claire DeVreese. “I have to do my best, throw my pitches to good spots, and try to keep her off the bases.”

Last season, Minnesota collected 14 hits against Illinois pitching but stranded 13 of those runners. Illinois has struggled with that problem on and off all season, leaving six of the seven runners on base Tuesday against Illinois State. Sullivan said she would like to see Illinois batters take advantage of scoring opportunities more often.

“Everyone having good, quality at-bats is key,” Sullivan said. “Everyone has to swing aggressively, look to put multitudes of hits together, and execute our offensive strategies.”