University of Minnesota Athletics
Baseball Defeats Ohio State 5-4 on Senior Day
5/18/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Minnesota struck first in the bottom of the second to go up 1-0. David Hrncirik (Madison, Wis.) led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a Gary Dick (Grand Rapids, Minn.) sacrifice bunt. Hrncirik advance to third on a Tony Leseman (St. Paul, Minn.) single and came around to score on a balk by Ohio State starting pitcher Chris Hanners to make the score 1-0.
Ohio State grabbed the lead from Minnesota with two runs in the top of the fourth to go up 2-1. Christian Snavely led off the inning with a home run, his third of the series, to tie the score at 1-1. With two outs in the inning Cody Caughenbaugh tripled and scored on a Derek Kinnear single to put the Buckeyes up 2-1. The Golden Gophers tied the score at 2-2 in bottom of the fourth inning when Hrncirik singled with one out and came around to score on a two-out RBI-double by Leseman.
Ohio State's Paul Farinacci delivered an RBI single in the top of the fifth to put the Buckeyes up 3-2. Ohio State remained in control until the bottom of the seventh inning. Leseman started the seventh by reaching on an error by the shortstop. Sam Steidl (Alexandria, Minn.) walked to make it first and second. After a Ben Pattee (Ukiah, Calif.) sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third, Luke Appert (Cottage Grove, Minn. was walked intentionally to load the bases for Scott Welch (Missoula, Mon.). The senior from Missoula, Mon. came through with a double to right field that brought home Leseman and Steidl help Minnesota reclaim the lead at 4-3.
Minnesota added a single-run in the bottom of the eighth to go up 5-3 when Dick hit a tape-measure shot that cleared the protective netting for the Big Ten Track & Field Championships, and landed on the track in the adjoining complex.
Ohio State started a threat immediately in the top of the ninth when Mike Rabin delivered an infield-single and Snavely hit a double to make it second and third with no one out. Jeff Moen (Glenwood, Minn.) came in and loaded the bases by hitting a batter. However, Moen proceeded to retired Farinacci on foulout to third baseman to get the first out. After a walk to Wes Shirtzinger trimmed the lead to 5-4, Moen got the next two batters to pick up his eighth save of the season.
Moen's eighth save tied a school record set by Doug Kampson in 1984. Brian Bull (Omaha, Neb.) pitched one and two thirds innings of relief and gave up one run to pick up the win and move to 5-2 on the season. Ohio State starter Chris Hanners gave up four runs in six and a third innings to take the loss to fall to 4-3 on the season. Matt Loberg (Anoka, Minn.) pitched six and a third innings and gave up only two runs, but took the no-decision.
Following the game, Minnesota held a ceremony for the 2003 Big Ten regular season title and for their eight seniors
The Golden Gophers will host the Big Ten Tournament at Siebert Field from Wednesday, May 21 to Saturday, May 24. The two remaining teams could also play on Sunday, May 25 if they both have a loss in double-elimination play. The top two seeds Minnesota and Ohio State will get a bye, while the other four teams play on Wednesday, May 21. The Golden Gophers will play their first game on Thursday, May 22 at 7:05 p.m. against the lowest seeded winner of the first day of games.
