University of Minnesota Athletics
Baseball Takes Two From Michigan State in Big Ten Opener
3/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
In both games the Spartans jumped on the board first scoring three runs in each of the first innings. During the opening game, the Michigan State leadoff hitter Brett Wattles began the scoring when he and designated hitter Charlie Braun scored on a double by second baseman Travis Gulick. The Spartans then went up 3-0 when Gulick reached home on a double by catcher Brady Burrill.
From that point on, Minnesota starter Glen Perkins (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater) took over the game. After allowing the first four batters to reach base, Perkins shutout Michigan State the following five innings. The freshman retired 15 of the next 22 hitters, notching a career-high 10 strikeouts. Perkins threw a total of six innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits to move to 2-1 on the season. Junior Jeff Moen (Glenwood, Minn./Minnewaska) came in at the top of the seventh, giving up the Spartans fourth run on two hits while striking out one.
The Golden Gophers responded in game one by scoring eight runs over the opening four innings. Center fielder Sam Steidl (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) notched Minnesota's first run on a double by Luke Appert (Cottage Grove, Minn./Park-Cottage Grove), his 11th of the year. Appert reached home on a single by shortstop Scott Welch (Missoula, Mont./Loyola Sacred Heart). Welch then tied the game at 3-3 when he scored on a single by designated hitter Andy Hunter (St. Paul, Minn./Sibley).
Minnesota added two more runs in both the second and third innings. Left fielder Tony Leseman (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall) scored the fourth run on a sac fly by Welch. Right fielder Ben Pattee (Ukiah, Calif./Mendocino J.C.) then increased the score to 5-3 when he stole home and Appert moved to second on a double steal. Third baseman David Hrncirik (Madison, Wis./West) led off the third inning with a double, reaching home on a groundout by Steidl. Pattee then brought home catcher Jake Elder (Delta, B.C./North Delta) on his second hit of the game, a double to right center, to move the score to 7-3 after three. Hrncirik batted in first baseman David Roach (Clearwater, Fla./Clearwater) to score Minnesota's final run.
In the first game, the Golden Gophers totaled 10 hits with eight different batters having success at the plate. Pattee and Hrncirik each went 2-for-3 with a run and RBI. Welch also tallied two RBI while going 1-for-3.
The second game was much like the first with Golden Gopher pitching and scoring. After allowing four Michigan State runs in the first two innings, Minnesota starter Jay Gagner (Cumberland, Wis./Cumberland) shut down the lineup over the following three innings. Gagner improved to 3-2, pitching five innings total with four runs on five hits, while fanning five Spartans. Junior Craig Molldrem (Boscobel, Wis./Boscobel) came in for relief in the top of the sixth and picked up his first save of 2003 striking out three and allowing only one hit in his two innings.
Minnesota tied the game at four apiece in the second inning. Roach scored the Golden Gophers' first run on a groundout by Elder, followed by Steidl bringing home Hunter on a single up the middle. Pattee then singled to left center to drive in Leseman with Steidl tying the score 4-4 on a throwing error by Michigan State's left fielder.
Welch gave Minnesota the lead in the third with his second home run of the season over the center field wall. The shortstop also scored in the fifth on an RBI single by Hrncirik to move the score to the final mark of 7-4. Appert reached home before Welch on a single by Hunter. Spartan starting pitcher Tim Day threw a complete game, allowing seven runs on 10 hits with two walks and a strikeout.
Steidl, Leseman and Welch each had two hits in game two. Pattee also went 1-for-4 with two RBI. Appert went hitless in the game, snapping his 11-game hit streak. The Golden Gophers also tallied five doubles on the day with 20 hits total and only three strikeouts.
Minnesota will complete its Big Ten opening series against Michigan State in a double-header tomorrow starting at noon at Siebert Field.
