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University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota-TCU Blog
3/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
#25 Minnesota takes on #14 TCU from Ft. Worth, TX at 6:30 PM. Minnesota was victorious in the first two games of the series and is going for the sweep. The last time Minnesota swept a nationally ranked opponent was 2005 when the Gophers took four from Michigan. Minnesota enters the national rankings for the first time since March 10, 2003.
Hosting the Gopher baseball blog is Taylor Vander Aarde, Director of Baseball Operations. The game is also being broadcast on the Gold Zone by Gopher baseball sports information director Steve Geller. If you have any questions for Taylor or Steve, email them to baseball@umn.edu and we will write an answer on the blog or discuss it on the broadcast. We have had some great questions this series. As always, we encourage Gopher fans to voice their questions and opinions!
Here are your starting line-ups for tonight's game.
Minnesota- 1) Matt Nohelty DH 2) Kyle Geason 3B 3) Derek McCallum 2B 4) Mike Kvasnicka RF 5) Eric Decker CF 6) Kyle Knudson C 7) Nick O'Shea 1B 8) Trip Schultz LF 9) AJ Pettersen SS SP) Seth Rosin
TCU- 1) Ben Carruthers 2B 2) Matt Carpenter 3B 3) Chris Ellington RF 4) Matt Curry DH 5) Jason Coats LF 6) Taylor Featherston SS 7) Matt Vern 1B 8) Bryan Holaday C 9) Corey Steglich CF SP) Kyle Winkler
Minnesota's Seth Rosin enters the game with a 1-0 record and a 1.69 E.R.A. He has also struck out 13 batters, walked two in 16 innings pitched. TCU's Kyle Winkler enters the game 0-0 and a 3.00 E.R.A. Winkler has three strikeouts and five walks in six innings. Opponents are hitting .304 off Winkler.
6:35 PM- Kyle Winkler delivers a first pitch fast ball that hits Matt Nohelty. Winkler's fastball was clocked at 93 mph.
6:38 PM- Game time temp is 81 degrees with clear skies. There is a light breeze blowing in from centerfield.
6:43 PM- Winkler is working with a 90-93 mph fast ball, a 78-80 mph curve ball, and a 80-82 mph change-up. Winkler's stuff looks impressive so far. Winkler, a true freshman from Sugarland, TX, was named the 19th best prospect in the state of Texas last year. Electric stuff is to be expected from a true freshman starting for the #14 ranked TCU Horned Frogs. Most coaches will go with experience from the their third starter. Many third starters are responsible for giving their teams quality starts in the last game of the series. Often, series are won or lost on the last game of the weekend.
6:47 PM- Minnesota loses two runners on the bases. Matt Nohelty was picked off second base and Kyle Geason was thrown out at home. A key to the Gophers victories so far has been the ability to strike first and keep this TCU crowd out of the game. Minnesota 0, TCU 0, Bottom 1.
6:55 PM- Seth Rosin has flashed a 89-93 mph fast ball, a 79-81 mph slider, and a high 70's change-up. Rosin retired the Horned Frogs in order in the bottom of the second. Rosin was able to establish his fast ball as he was hitting the corners of the plate. Minnesota 0, TCU 0, Top 2.
6:58 PM- Freshman Nick O'Shea belts his first career home run. O'Shea hit a Winkler fast ball for a towering drive over the left centerfield fence. Minnesota 1, TCU 0, Top 2.
Coni from Apple Valley asks:
How come the Gopher baseball team gets so little press from the Star Trib? Somebody needs to nudge Sid!
Thanks Coni. In my opinoin, it is tough for Gopher baseball to get the coverage it deserves from the Star Tribune because the Twin Cities offer so much when it comes to sports. The Twins, Vikings, Wild, and Timberwolves all demand a majority of the paper's space. As far as Sid goes, he strolls into the baseball office every couple of weeks looking for the latest tidbits from the program.
7:05 PM- Seth Rosin shuts down the Horned Frogs for the second inning. Nick O'Shea made a diving grab to his left and Mike Kvasnicka made a running catch into the right field fence. Each grab was worthy of a webgem. Minnesota 1, TCU 0, Top 3.
7:15 PM- Matt Vern drills 2-2 a hanging curve ball from Seth Rosin over the left field fence for the first TCU hit of the game. The home run is Vern's fifth of the season. Minnesota 1, TCU1, Bottom 3.
7:20 PM- Rosin is touched up for another run as Corey Steglich lines a high fast ball into right centerfield for a triple. He is brought home by a sacrifice fly. Rosin left pitches up that resulted in the home run and triple. Rosin must keep the ball down, especially his fast ball, against this aggressive TCU team. Minnesota 1, TCU 2, Top 4.
7:27 PM- Winkler has begun to work more curve balls into his repetoire the second time through the order. Even though his fastball is around 90, Winkler's sharp breaking curve ball has been giving Gopher hitters fits and is probably his best pitch. Minnesota 1, TCU 2, Bottom 4.
7:42 PM-Winkler works past a two out single by Derek McCallum and throws another scoreless inning. Winkler has now thrown 77 pitches threw five innings. Rosin, on the other hand has thrown 49 pitches, 38 for strikes, threw four innings. Minnesota 1, TCU 2, Bottom 5.
7:53 PM- Kyle Knudson shows off his arm with two perfect throws to second. Each throw resulted in a caught stealing. Throwing out runners has been an achilles heal for the Gophers in the past and it is nice to see Knudson helping his pitchers. Minnesota 1, TCU 2, Top 6.
John from Apple Valley asks:
Hey Taylor, what's the temp down in Texas?
Hi John! The temp is currently 73 degrees with clear skies according to the scoreboard. It is a beautiful night here in Ft. Worth. I heard it was a great day back home today and I hope all the Gopher fans enjoyed it.
8:01 PM- TCU starting pitcher Kyle Winkler has pitched very well since the second inning. Winkler has not allowed a run over the last four innings and has only given up a couple hits. Minnesota 1, TCU 2, Bottom 6.
8:11 PM- This game overall has been a very clean game. Both pitchers are throwing well and there have been no errors made. Baseball purists attending this game are in heaven. Each head coach is playing this game as if it will be decided by one or two runs. TCU head coach Jim Schlossnagle proved that by putting on the sacrifice bunt in the sixth inning. It was moderately surprising because Schlossnagle's team is hitting well above .300 on the year. Minnesota 1, TCU 2, Top 7.
8:16 PM- Minnesota goes quietly in the top of the 7th. It's stretch time here in Fort Worth as Seth Rosin takes the mound for the bottom of the inning. Minnesota 1, TCU 2, Bottom 7.
8:28 PM- TCU scores it's third run as Bryan Holaday singles to left field. Minnesota makes a pitching change and brings in sophomore submarine-style pitcher Tim Ryan. TCU has had trouble hitting the softer throwers this series so John Anderson may be bringing Ryan to take advantage of TCU's aggressiveness. Ryan has been very successful in getting opposing batters to hit ground balls. Minnesota 1, TCU 3, Bottom 7.
8:33 PM- Coach Anderson's decision to bring in Ryan pays off as he gets Corey Steglich to strike out on an outside slider. Minnesota 1, TCU 3, Top 8.
8:40 PM- The story of the night has been pitching. TCU's Kyle Winkler is working on a gem. He has thrown eight innings, struck out ten, walked three, given up six hits and one run. Rosin did a very good job keeping the Gophers in this one as he allowed three runs in 6.2 innings while also giving up six hits. Minnesota 1, TCU 3, Bottom 8.
8:43PM- Ben Carruthers knocks a double down the left field line for TCU. Minnesota goes to the bullpen and calls on lefty Luke Rasmussen. Minnesota 1, TCU 3, Bottom 8.
8:51 PM- With one out, TCU executes a double steal as Carruthers take home plate. Minnesota does not get an out. Minnesota 1, TCU 4, Bottom 8.
8:53 PM- Rasmussen comes in and uses his big slow curve ball to strike out two TCU batters. The Gophers will face TCU reliever Trent Appleby in the ninth. Minnesota 1, TCU 4, Top 9.
8:58 PM- Drew Hanish pinch hits with two outs against Appleby. Hanish and Appleby were teammates in high school at McKinney North. Minnesota 1, TCU 4, Top 9.
9:00 PM- Appleby wins the battle of former McKinney, TX prep stars as he gets Hanish on five pitches.
Minnesota 1, TCU 4, FINAL. The Gophers will be back in action tomorrow at 6:30 PM against UT-Arlington at Quiktrip Park in Grand Prairie, TX. You can catch that game on the Gold Zone and read that game day blog on www.gophersports.com
