University of Minnesota Athletics
GOLDEN GOPHERS DOWN REDBIRDS 9-1 IN SEASON OPENER
2/13/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Minnesota scored three runs in the fourth inning to jump out to a 3-0 lead. Sophomore Rob La Rue's single to centerfield scoring junior Josh Holthaus from second. Later in the inning freshman Scott Welch singled scoring sophomore Jack Hannahan. With LaRue on third and Welch on first, Minnesota perfectly executed the double steal scoring LaRue from third.
The Golden Gophers scored four more runs in the bottom of the sixth when with the bases loaded, junior Rick Brosseau doubled down the right field line clearing the bases. Brosseau would later score on a sacrifice fly to give Minnesota a 7-0 lead. The Gophers would tack on two more runs in the bottom of the seventh after sophomore Scott Howard singled to left field scoring senior Mark Devore and senior Mike Arlt.
Clarey struck out five and retired 21 of 23 batters. Senior Brandon Kitzerow pitched the final 3.1 innings to earn his first career save. Kitzerow yielded a two-out single to Illinois State's Jared Dufault scoring Lance McMillian from third, breaking up the shutout bid.
The two teams will complete the three-game series with doubleheader this afternoon at the dome. The 7-inning games will begin at 1 p.m.
123 456 789 R H E Illinois State 000 000 001 1 8 1 Minnesota 000 304 20x 9 10 0 Illinois State - Eckenstahler, Distaso (6), Schoeberlein (6), Hecker (7), Andel (8), Horner (9) and Duncheon UM - Clarey, Kitzerow (6). WP - Clarey. LP - Eckenstahler. SV-Kitzerow. Att. 344. T: 3:08.
