University of Minnesota Athletics
MINNESOTA BASEBALL RALLYS TWICE; TAKES TWO FROM MICHIGAN
4/14/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Golden Gophers took a quick 2-0 lead after the first inning off game one, and extended that lead in the third. Senior Kurt Haring smashed a double into the left-center field gap, allowing senior Josh Holthaus to come all the way around from first base. The Wolverine defense attempted to throw Holthaus out at the plate, but he made a heads-up, one-handed slide into home avoiding the tag and giving the Maroon and Gold a 3-0 lead. Two batters later, junior Jason Kennedy launched a laser over the left-center field wall for his sixth home run of the year. Kennedy's round tripper brought in Haring and increased the Minnesota lead to 5-0.
Brock Koman put the Wolverines on the board with his two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning. Koman burned Minnesota starter C.J. Woodrow for three hits and three RBI in the game, including a RBI double in the sixth to bring Michigan within two runs. Woodrow struck out three and allowed six hits in six-plus innings, before he was relieved by freshman Chad Drexler in the seventh.
Minnesota put the first two Michigan runners on base with a hit-by-pitch and a walk, but got the next two batters out. Drexler came within one strike of saving the game, but Mike Sokol gave his 3-2 pitch a ride over the right-center field wall. Sokol, who was gunned down at home by Kennedy in the sixth, gave the Wolverines a 6-5 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.
However, as quickly as their hopes arose, the Wolverines' spirits came crashing down. Sophomore David Roach roped a pinch-hit single off of Michigan reliever Bobby Wood's leg and into center field to get things going for Minnesota with one away in the lower half of the seventh. Sophomore Ben Pattee provided a little more speed as a pinch-runner for Roach and the potential tying run for the Golden Gophers; but his quickness was not needed, as Pattee jogged across home plate on Hannahan's ninth home run of the season. Hannahan destroyed Wood's 0-1 pitch into deep right-center field and leaped into the welcoming arms of his teammates as he touched the dish as the wining run of game one. It is the second time Minnesota has won a game on a home run this year. The other victory came on Welch's solo shot versus Central Michigan in the Metrodome on February 12.
Senior Jason Shupe earned the win for Minnesota, after he came on in the seventh to end the Wolverine comeback, and Steidl extended his season-high hit streak to 19 games with a lead-off single in the first inning.
Michigan wasted no time seeking revenge in the second game, as Koman connected for his second home run of the day on a 2-1 pitch from freshman left- hander Jay Gagner. Koman's eighth shot of the year scored Scott Tousa and put the Wolverines ahead early; but the Golden Gophers scrapped two runs of their own in the home-half of the first on a two-RBI double down the left field line by Holthaus. Holthaus' eighth double of the season scored Hannahan and sophomore Luke Appert, tying the game at 2-2.
A sacrifice fly by Holthaus in the third inning gave Minnesota a slim 3-2 lead, but heading into the seventh, it seemed as though that was all that was needed, as Gagner had allowed just four base runners over the last five innings.
Gagner retired the first Michigan batter on one pitch and allowed a double on the very next. Two pitches later, Gagner forced a 6-3 ground out and was one out away from his first complete game. The Wolverines would not have it, though, as Tousa played seem-to-be hero once again with a RBI single into left-center field. Gagner completed the inning, but would not return. He finished seven, striking out five and walking just one batter.
Minnesota went down in order in the bottom of the seventh and the game moved to extra innings. Both teams threatened in the bonus rounds, but neither could break the tie until the bottom of the ninth. Steidl, who extended his hit streak for the second time with a double in the fourth inning, lead off the home ninth by dragging for a bunt single. Pattee then laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing Steidl to second. The Wolverines then intentionally walked Hannahan to create a force play, but Holthaus moved the two runners up with a deep fly ball to center field. Once again looking for the force out, Michigan walked Guetzlaff on four pitches, loading the bases for Welch. After quickly falling behind 0-2, Welch worked the count even and fought off three tough pitches before putting the ball in play. Welch skipped a sharp ground ball to short, where Brandon Jominy tried to backhand the ball, but could not field it cleanly. Welch hustled out the error, and Steidl bolted home as the winning run.
Freshman Jeff Moen hurled the last two innings for Minnesota and got credit for the victory, improving his 2001 record to 2-0. Jeff Trzos was given the loss for Michigan after allowing the unearned run in the ninth. The Golden Gophers improved to 22-14 overall and 10-4 in Big Ten competition. The Wolverines dropped to 18-15 overall and 6-5 versus conference opponents.
Minnesota will try and win its fourth straight Big Ten series Sunday afternoon at Siebert Field. Freshman Josh Krogman (3-0, 4.72) will take the hill for the Golden Gophers. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. CDT.
