University of Minnesota Athletics
20th Annual Dairy Queen Classic Preview
3/4/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The International Dairy Queen Corporation enters its second year as the title sponsor of the University's annual spring baseball tournament held at the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome. The tournament, which was established in 1985, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and has developed into one of the most competitive collegiate tournaments in the nation. In fact, in the 2004 Baseball America college preview, the magazine ranked the Dairy Queen Classic as one of the six top college tournaments in the nation.
The tournament consistently draws the top teams in the nation to the Twin Cities and provides them with the opportunity to display their talents in a major league facility. Throughout its history the tournament has received outstanding support from the Twin Cities community through sponsorship. Companies like General Mills, Pillsbury, Oscar Meyer, Hormel and Dairy Queen have played a big part in the growth and success of the event. Since its inception the tournament has grown considerably in many ways, and that growth would not have been possible without the support of its sponsors.
The 2004 event will feature its annual on-field clinic for youths ages 7 to 17 and their coaches. The clinic will be conducted by coaches and players participating in the competition. A very popular part of the tournament in the past, it provides an opportunity for today's college stars to give something back to the community.
Though Dairy Queen is the lead sponsor of the tournament, organizations like the Sheraton Hotel Minneapolis Metrodome, Rawling Baseballs, Lee Lines, Easton Sports and many others help make the Dairy Queen Baseball Classic possible each year.
This year's tournament features another strong field featuring two nationally ranked teams in No. 20 Nebraska and No. 24 Florida State, along with West Virginia. The Cornhuskers return as the defending Dairy Queen Baseball Classic champions from 2003. It marks the first time since 1987 that a non-Minnesota defending tournament champion will have a chance to defend its title.
University of Minnesota
The Golden Gophers are coming off a four-year span that has seen them win three regular season titles (2000, 2002, 2003) and one Big Ten Tournament title (2001). Last season, Minnesota had its most successful Big Ten regular season campaign in school history winning a school-record 24 conference games (the third most in Big Ten history). The Golden Gophers also won 40 games for the first time since the 1999 season, and claimed their first NCAA Tournament victory since 2000.
Minnesota's strength heading into the season is its pitching. Sophomore lefthander Glen Perkins (10-2, 2.91 ERA, 117 SO), who was a Collegiate Baseball Preseason Second Team All-American, had one of the best pitching seasons in school history in 2003. As a redshirt-freshman, Perkins set a single-season school record with 117 strikeouts. He also became only the ninth pitcher in school history to register 10 wins in a season. Perkins went 8-0 in Big Ten play, becoming the first pitcher in the conference's history to do so.
The Golden Gophers also return Matt Loberg (6-2, 5.14 ERA) and Jay Gagner from last year's Big Ten rotation. Minnesota was 15-0 in conference games pitched by either Loberg or Perkins in 2003. Craig Molldrem and Josh Krogman also started on a regular basis for Minnesota in 2002. Molldrem was fourth on the team in strikeouts and second among pitchers who started in opposing batting average in the 2003 season. He was a spot starter and reliever in Big Ten play in the 2003 season. Krogman was one of Minnesota's primary starters in 2002, but sat out the 2003 season with Tommy John surgery. Krogman was 5-4 with a 4.17 ERA in 2002, and appears to be back to form after the fall season.
Minnesota also returns closer Jeff Moen (1-1, 2.39 ERA, 9 SV) who set a school record with nine saves in 2003, and allowed only three of 25 inherited runners to score. Left-handed setup man Brian Bull, who won six games in relief last season, also returns to the bullpen. Last season he was 6-2 with a 3.48 ERA, and was second on the team with 19 appearances as a freshman. Tim Theis and Any Peters also return from last year's bullpen.
The Golden Gophers also welcome a trio of exciting freshman pitching prospects in Cole DeVries, John Gaub and Josh Oslin. Gaub was drafted in the 25th round of the Major League Draft by the Twins, while Oslin was also taken by the Twins in the 28th round. DeVries was named the Class 3A State Player of the Year in high school in 2003.
Minnesota returns two all-conference position players in First Team All-Big Ten centerfielder Sam Steidl and Second Team All-Big Ten designated hitter Andy Hunter. Steidl led the conference in hits with 87, and batted .367 for Minnesota in 2003. He led the team in Big Ten play with a .391 batting average. Steidl, who was named a NCBWA Preseason Third Team All-American, finished the season third on the team with 45 runs and brings a .359 career batting average into the season. Hunter, who will see time at first base and designated hitter against righthanded pitching, batted .344 with four home runs and 44 RBI in his freshman season. Hunter had a team-high 28 RBI in Big Ten play.
The Golden Gophers also return starting third baseman David Hrncirik and starting leftfielder Tony Leseman from last year's team. Hrncirik batted .324 with 29 RBI and 36 runs, while Leseman batted .315 with 22 runs.
Catchers Gary Dick and Jake Elder also return to the squad. The two catchers started 52 of 62 games behind the plate for Minnesota in 2003. Elder batted .339 with 15 RBI and 19 runs, while Dick homered three times, had 11 RBI and batted .316 in 57 at-bats.
Minnesota's biggest holes left from the 2003 season come in the infield where two-time Big Ten Player of the Year Luke Appert, two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection Scott Welch and David Roach all graduated. Hunter and Mike Mee will split time at first base for Minnesota, Matt Fornasiere (.254, 19 RBI, 17 R) will play shortstop and a trio of players in Luke MacLean (.357, 15 R), Jared Sanders and Dan Thompson will play second base.
Freshman Sean Kommerstad is slated to start in right field. However, redshirt freshmen Taylor VanderAarde and John Arlt will also compete for the job.
The Golden Gophers have advanced to the NCAA Tournament in five of the past six seasons, and are 81-32 in Big Ten play over the last four seasons. Minnesota looks to continue its wave of recent success with a return to NCAA Tournament play, and will also set forth the goal of winning three straight Big Ten regular season titles for the first time since the 1968-70 seasons.
Nebraska
The Cornhuskers are coming off a season that saw them go 47-18 and the claim the Big 12 regular season title. Nebraska returns seven position starters and nine pitchers to the 2004 team.
Leading the way offensively is Curtis Ledbetter who batted .348 with 13 home runs and 54 RBI for the Cornhuskers last season. Ledbetter, who was a first team All-Big 12 selection in 2003, moves to first base for the 2004 season. Nebraska also returns shortstop Joe Simokaitis (.293, 39 RBI, 9 SB) and third baseman Alex Gordon (.319, 7 HR, 48 RBI) to the lineup. Last year's Easton Silver Slugger Award winner, Brandon Fusilier (.289, 6 HR, 41 RBI) also returns to play for the Cornhuskers.
The pitching staff is led by First Team All-Big 12 pitcher Quinton Robertson. Robertson, who was the winning pitcher in last year's tournament against Minnesota, was 10-2 with a 4.23 ERA last season for the Cornhuskers. Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American Zack Kroenke (6-2, 2.72 ERA) also returns to the team, along with Paul Shirek (5-3, 3.90 ERA) and Brian Duensing (3-0, 2.42 ERA, 24 SO in 22.1 IP), who missed most of the 2003 season with an elbow injury.
Last year, Nebraska put on one of the most dominating performances in the history of the Dairy Queen Classic. The Cornhuskers outscored their opponents 28-3 in the tournament. The three runs were the fewest allowed by a team in the tournament's history. Jeff Leise claimed the MVP, while Fusilier received the Easton "Silver Slugger" award for the top batting average.
Nebraska has won an astounding 144 games over the past three seasons. The Cornhuskers had back-to-back College World Series appearances in 2001 and 2002, before getting upset in their own regional to SW Missouri State last year. The Cornhuskers enter the tournament ranked as high as No. 20 in the nation, and as one of the top teams in the Big 12 conference.
Florida State
The Seminoles are coming off a season that saw them go 54-13-1, win the regular season ACC title and advance to the Super Regionals. Florida State saw its bid to the College World Series denied by Texas, who defeated the Seminoles 2-0 in the Super Regionals.
Florida State returns four position players and two starting pitchers from last year's squad. Leading the way offensively is Baseball America First Team Preseason All-American Stephen Drew, younger brother of J.D. Drew. Last season Drew batted .327 with 11 home runs and 59 RBI. The Seminoles also return third baseman Eddy Martinez-Esteve who batted .371 with nine home runs and 43 RBI last year. Outfielder Matt Sauls (.268, 5 HR, 36 RBI) and second baseman Bryan Zech (.267, 2 HR, 25 RBI) are the other returning position players.
Mark Sauls leads the way for the returning pitchers. Last year Sauls was 5-0 with a 3.27 ERA in 10 starts, with 49 strikeouts in 52.1 innings pitched. Glen Simon was 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 28.2 innings, while Hunter Jones was 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA in 24 appearances in 2003.
Florida State made its last appearance in the Dairy Queen Classic in 1999. The Seminoles came in ranked No. 1 and lost to No. 12 Wichita State in the first game. Florida State bounced back with a pair of victories to claim second place in the tournament. Despite the second place finish, Marshall McDougall was named tournament's MVP. Florida State won the tournament in 1988 behind an MVP performance from Edwin Alicea.
West Virginia
The Mountaineers are coming off a 2003 season that saw them finish second in the Big East with an 18-6 conference record. West Virginia was 36-19 overall. The Mountaineers return six position players from the 2003 team and two starting pitchers.
Offensively the Mountaineers are led by senior first baseman Kurtis Clinton who batted .335 with 13 homers and 50 RBI in 2003. Junior centerfielder Lee Fritz also returns. Fritz led the team in hits with 88 and batted .407 last season. West Virginia also welcomes back sophomore designated hitter Stan Posluszny (.340, 5 HR, 31 RBI), senior leftfielder Jake Serfass (.357, 10 HR, 37 RBI), junior shortstop Grant Psomas (.289, 9 HR, 35 RBI) and junior catcher Travis D'Amico (.296, 1 HR, 14 RBI)
The pitching staff is led by junior lefthander Zac Cline who was 12-3 with a 3.44 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 125.2 innings pitched. Junior righthander Shawn Miller also returns to the pitching staff. Miller 6-3 with a 4.00 ERA, and struck out 53 batters in 72 innings.
West Virginia is making its first trip to the Dairy Queen Classic. Last season, Notre Dame represented the Big East Conference with a 1-2 record in the tournament. The Moutaineers finished one-and-a-half games ahead of the Fighting Irish in the Big East last season in second place. West Virginia lost out on the regular season title by a half a game to Rutgers who finished 19-6. With 16 letterwinners returning to the squad, the Mountaineers will make a strong push to claim that Big East title.
Great Moments in the history of the Dairy Queen Baseball Classic
1985 - Minnesota claims first Dairy Queen Baseball Classic (then the Wheaties Tournament of Champions) over No. 3 Arizona 5-4 on Apr. 29. Shawn Slemmons picks up the win in relief, while Daniel VanDehey goes 3-5 with 2 RBI.
1986 - Bryan Hickerson pitches a complete game to help lead Minnesota to a 7-3 victory over Miami on Apr. 5. Alex Bauer knocks in three runs for the Golden Gophers. Team Panama goes 2-2 in exhibition play in the tournament.
1987 - Team Cuba goes 3-1 in its first exhibition action ever in the United States against collegiate baseball teams
1989 - Minnesota defeats #12 Oklahoma State 7-6 in a nationally televised game on ESPN on Apr. 2. Jeff Monson Tournament MVP, becoming the first player from Minnesota to receive the honors.
1991 - Scott Bakkum pitches a complete game giving up three runs in nine innings to help Minnesota defeat No. 1 Stanford 9-3. Tournament MVP Brent Gates goes 3-5 with a run and an RBI.
1992 - Texas A&M's Jeff Granger throws 10 shutout innings against Mississippi State to help leads his team to a 5-0 victory in 11 inninings. Mississippi State starter B.J. Wallace matches Granger early on with seven shutout innings.
1993 - Future Major Leaguers Nomar Garciaparra, Jay Payton and Jason Varitek help lead No. 1 Georgia Tech to Dairy Queen Baseball Classic (then the Oscar Meyer Baseball Classic) tournament championship. Payton claims the tournament MVP.
1994 - Mark Merila goes 9-10 in the tournament to claim MVP honors. For the first time in the tournament history Minnesota goes 3-0, defeating #18 Ohio State, #12 Arizona State and Arizona.
1997 - Future Major Leaguer Troy Glaus claims MVP honors on the way to leading UCLA to a 3-0 record in the tournament.
2002 - Jason Kennedy becomes fourth Minnesota player to win tournament MVP honors.
2003 - Minnesota jumps out to a 3-2 lead over Wake Forest, scoring the first runs of the season off 2003 No. 2 draft pick Kyle Sleeth. However, the Demon Deacons rally to win 7-3. Nebraska claims tournament title, limiting opponents to a tournament record three runs. 2004 Dairy Queen Classic
The International Dairy Queen Corporation enters its second year as the title sponsor of the University's annual spring baseball tournament held at the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome. The tournament, which was established in 1985, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and has developed into one of the most competitive collegiate tournaments in the nation. In fact, in the 2004 Baseball America college preview, the magazine ranked the Dairy Queen Classic as one of the six top college tournaments in the nation.
The tournament consistently draws the top teams in the nation to the Twin Cities and provides them with the opportunity to display their talents in a major league facility. Throughout its history the tournament has received outstanding support from the Twin Cities community through sponsorship. Companies like General Mills, Pillsbury, Oscar Meyer, Hormel and Dairy Queen have played a big part in the growth and success of the event. Since its inception the tournament has grown considerably in many ways, and that growth would not have been possible without the support of its sponsors.
The 2004 event will feature its annual on-field clinic for youths ages 7 to 17 and their coaches. The clinic will be conducted by coaches and players participating in the competition. A very popular part of the tournament in the past, it provides an opportunity for today's college stars to give something back to the community.
Though Dairy Queen is the lead sponsor of the tournament, organizations like the Sheraton Hotel Minneapolis Metrodome, Rawling Baseballs, Lee Lines, Easton Sports and many others help make the Dairy Queen Baseball Classic possible each year.
This year's tournament features another strong field featuring two nationally ranked teams in No. 20 Nebraska and No. 24 Florida State, along with West Virginia. The Cornhuskers return as the defending Dairy Queen Baseball Classic champions from 2003. It marks the first time since 1987 that a non-Minnesota defending tournament champion will have a chance to defend its title.
University of Minnesota
The Golden Gophers are coming off a four-year span that has seen them win three regular season titles (2000, 2002, 2003) and one Big Ten Tournament title (2001). Last season, Minnesota had its most successful Big Ten regular season campaign in school history winning a school-record 24 conference games (the third most in Big Ten history). The Golden Gophers also won 40 games for the first time since the 1999 season, and claimed their first NCAA Tournament victory since 2000.
Minnesota's strength heading into the season is its pitching. Sophomore lefthander Glen Perkins (10-2, 2.91 ERA, 117 SO), who was a Collegiate Baseball Preseason Second Team All-American, had one of the best pitching seasons in school history in 2003. As a redshirt-freshman, Perkins set a single-season school record with 117 strikeouts. He also became only the ninth pitcher in school history to register 10 wins in a season. Perkins went 8-0 in Big Ten play, becoming the first pitcher in the conference's history to do so.
The Golden Gophers also return Matt Loberg (6-2, 5.14 ERA) and Jay Gagner from last year's Big Ten rotation. Minnesota was 15-0 in conference games pitched by either Loberg or Perkins in 2003. Craig Molldrem and Josh Krogman also started on a regular basis for Minnesota in 2002. Molldrem was fourth on the team in strikeouts and second among pitchers who started in opposing batting average in the 2003 season. He was a spot starter and reliever in Big Ten play in the 2003 season. Krogman was one of Minnesota's primary starters in 2002, but sat out the 2003 season with Tommy John surgery. Krogman was 5-4 with a 4.17 ERA in 2002, and appears to be back to form after the fall season.
Minnesota also returns closer Jeff Moen (1-1, 2.39 ERA, 9 SV) who set a school record with nine saves in 2003, and allowed only three of 25 inherited runners to score. Left-handed setup man Brian Bull, who won six games in relief last season, also returns to the bullpen. Last season he was 6-2 with a 3.48 ERA, and was second on the team with 19 appearances as a freshman. Tim Theis and Any Peters also return from last year's bullpen.
The Golden Gophers also welcome a trio of exciting freshman pitching prospects in Cole DeVries, John Gaub and Josh Oslin. Gaub was drafted in the 25th round of the Major League Draft by the Twins, while Oslin was also taken by the Twins in the 28th round. DeVries was named the Class 3A State Player of the Year in high school in 2003.
Minnesota returns two all-conference position players in First Team All-Big Ten centerfielder Sam Steidl and Second Team All-Big Ten designated hitter Andy Hunter. Steidl led the conference in hits with 87, and batted .367 for Minnesota in 2003. He led the team in Big Ten play with a .391 batting average. Steidl, who was named a NCBWA Preseason Third Team All-American, finished the season third on the team with 45 runs and brings a .359 career batting average into the season. Hunter, who will see time at first base and designated hitter against righthanded pitching, batted .344 with four home runs and 44 RBI in his freshman season. Hunter had a team-high 28 RBI in Big Ten play.
The Golden Gophers also return starting third baseman David Hrncirik and starting leftfielder Tony Leseman from last year's team. Hrncirik batted .324 with 29 RBI and 36 runs, while Leseman batted .315 with 22 runs.
Catchers Gary Dick and Jake Elder also return to the squad. The two catchers started 52 of 62 games behind the plate for Minnesota in 2003. Elder batted .339 with 15 RBI and 19 runs, while Dick homered three times, had 11 RBI and batted .316 in 57 at-bats.
Minnesota's biggest holes left from the 2003 season come in the infield where two-time Big Ten Player of the Year Luke Appert, two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection Scott Welch and David Roach all graduated. Hunter and Mike Mee will split time at first base for Minnesota, Matt Fornasiere (.254, 19 RBI, 17 R) will play shortstop and a trio of players in Luke MacLean (.357, 15 R), Jared Sanders and Dan Thompson will play second base.
Freshman Sean Kommerstad is slated to start in right field. However, redshirt freshmen Taylor VanderAarde and John Arlt will also compete for the job.
The Golden Gophers have advanced to the NCAA Tournament in five of the past six seasons, and are 81-32 in Big Ten play over the last four seasons. Minnesota looks to continue its wave of recent success with a return to NCAA Tournament play, and will also set forth the goal of winning three straight Big Ten regular season titles for the first time since the 1968-70 seasons.
Nebraska
The Cornhuskers are coming off a season that saw them go 47-18 and the claim the Big 12 regular season title. Nebraska returns seven position starters and nine pitchers to the 2004 team.
Leading the way offensively is Curtis Ledbetter who batted .348 with 13 home runs and 54 RBI for the Cornhuskers last season. Ledbetter, who was a first team All-Big 12 selection in 2003, moves to first base for the 2004 season. Nebraska also returns shortstop Joe Simokaitis (.293, 39 RBI, 9 SB) and third baseman Alex Gordon (.319, 7 HR, 48 RBI) to the lineup. Last year's Easton Silver Slugger Award winner, Brandon Fusilier (.289, 6 HR, 41 RBI) also returns to play for the Cornhuskers.
The pitching staff is led by First Team All-Big 12 pitcher Quinton Robertson. Robertson, who was the winning pitcher in last year's tournament against Minnesota, was 10-2 with a 4.23 ERA last season for the Cornhuskers. Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American Zack Kroenke (6-2, 2.72 ERA) also returns to the team, along with Paul Shirek (5-3, 3.90 ERA) and Brian Duensing (3-0, 2.42 ERA, 24 SO in 22.1 IP), who missed most of the 2003 season with an elbow injury.
Last year, Nebraska put on one of the most dominating performances in the history of the Dairy Queen Classic. The Cornhuskers outscored their opponents 28-3 in the tournament. The three runs were the fewest allowed by a team in the tournament's history. Jeff Leise claimed the MVP, while Fusilier received the Easton "Silver Slugger" award for the top batting average.
Nebraska has won an astounding 144 games over the past three seasons. The Cornhuskers had back-to-back College World Series appearances in 2001 and 2002, before getting upset in their own regional to SW Missouri State last year. The Cornhuskers enter the tournament ranked as high as No. 20 in the nation, and as one of the top teams in the Big 12 conference.
Florida State
The Seminoles are coming off a season that saw them go 54-13-1, win the regular season ACC title and advance to the Super Regionals. Florida State saw its bid to the College World Series denied by Texas, who defeated the Seminoles 2-0 in the Super Regionals.
Florida State returns four position players and two starting pitchers from last year's squad. Leading the way offensively is Baseball America First Team Preseason All-American Stephen Drew, younger brother of J.D. Drew. Last season Drew batted .327 with 11 home runs and 59 RBI. The Seminoles also return third baseman Eddy Martinez-Esteve who batted .371 with nine home runs and 43 RBI last year. Outfielder Matt Sauls (.268, 5 HR, 36 RBI) and second baseman Bryan Zech (.267, 2 HR, 25 RBI) are the other returning position players.
Mark Sauls leads the way for the returning pitchers. Last year Sauls was 5-0 with a 3.27 ERA in 10 starts, with 49 strikeouts in 52.1 innings pitched. Glen Simon was 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 28.2 innings, while Hunter Jones was 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA in 24 appearances in 2003.
Florida State made its last appearance in the Dairy Queen Classic in 1999. The Seminoles came in ranked No. 1 and lost to No. 12 Wichita State in the first game. Florida State bounced back with a pair of victories to claim second place in the tournament. Despite the second place finish, Marshall McDougall was named tournament's MVP. Florida State won the tournament in 1988 behind an MVP performance from Edwin Alicea.
West Virginia
The Mountaineers are coming off a 2003 season that saw them finish second in the Big East with an 18-6 conference record. West Virginia was 36-19 overall. The Mountaineers return six position players from the 2003 team and two starting pitchers.
Offensively the Mountaineers are led by senior first baseman Kurtis Clinton who batted .335 with 13 homers and 50 RBI in 2003. Junior centerfielder Lee Fritz also returns. Fritz led the team in hits with 88 and batted .407 last season. West Virginia also welcomes back sophomore designated hitter Stan Posluszny (.340, 5 HR, 31 RBI), senior leftfielder Jake Serfass (.357, 10 HR, 37 RBI), junior shortstop Grant Psomas (.289, 9 HR, 35 RBI) and junior catcher Travis D'Amico (.296, 1 HR, 14 RBI)
The pitching staff is led by junior lefthander Zac Cline who was 12-3 with a 3.44 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 125.2 innings pitched. Junior righthander Shawn Miller also returns to the pitching staff. Miller 6-3 with a 4.00 ERA, and struck out 53 batters in 72 innings.
West Virginia is making its first trip to the Dairy Queen Classic. Last season, Notre Dame represented the Big East Conference with a 1-2 record in the tournament. The Moutaineers finished one-and-a-half games ahead of the Fighting Irish in the Big East last season in second place. West Virginia lost out on the regular season title by a half a game to Rutgers who finished 19-6. With 16 letterwinners returning to the squad, the Mountaineers will make a strong push to claim that Big East title.
Great Moments in the history of the Dairy Queen Baseball Classic
1985 - Minnesota claims first Dairy Queen Baseball Classic (then the Wheaties Tournament of Champions) over No. 3 Arizona 5-4 on Apr. 29. Shawn Slemmons picks up the win in relief, while Daniel VanDehey goes 3-5 with 2 RBI.
1986 - Bryan Hickerson pitches a complete game to help lead Minnesota to a 7-3 victory over Miami on Apr. 5. Alex Bauer knocks in three runs for the Golden Gophers. Team Panama goes 2-2 in exhibition play in the tournament.
1987 - Team Cuba goes 3-1 in its first exhibition action ever in the United States against collegiate baseball teams
1989 - Minnesota defeats #12 Oklahoma State 7-6 in a nationally televised game on ESPN on Apr. 2. Jeff Monson Tournament MVP, becoming the first player from Minnesota to receive the honors.
1991 - Scott Bakkum pitches a complete game giving up three runs in nine innings to help Minnesota defeat No. 1 Stanford 9-3. Tournament MVP Brent Gates goes 3-5 with a run and an RBI.
1992 - Texas A&M's Jeff Granger throws 10 shutout innings against Mississippi State to help leads his team to a 5-0 victory in 11 inninings. Mississippi State starter B.J. Wallace matches Granger early on with seven shutout innings.
1993 - Future Major Leaguers Nomar Garciaparra, Jay Payton and Jason Varitek help lead No. 1 Georgia Tech to Dairy Queen Baseball Classic (then the Oscar Meyer Baseball Classic) tournament championship. Payton claims the tournament MVP.
1994 - Mark Merila goes 9-10 in the tournament to claim MVP honors. For the first time in the tournament history Minnesota goes 3-0, defeating #18 Ohio State, #12 Arizona State and Arizona.
1997 - Future Major Leaguer Troy Glaus claims MVP honors on the way to leading UCLA to a 3-0 record in the tournament.
2002 - Jason Kennedy becomes fourth Minnesota player to win tournament MVP honors.
2003 - Minnesota jumps out to a 3-2 lead over Wake Forest, scoring the first runs of the season off 2003 No. 2 draft pick Kyle Sleeth. However, the Demon Deacons rally to win 7-3. Nebraska claims tournament title, limiting opponents to a tournament record three runs.