University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota - Northwestern Blog
4/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Minnesota (18-10, 4-2) faces the Northwestern Wildcats (7-21, 1-5) at the Metrodome. First pitch is slated for 2:05. Minnesota won last night's game five to four as the Gophers came back from a two run deficit to beat the Big Ten's reigning Freshman of the Year in Eric Jokisch.
Blog host Taylor Vander Aarde will take questions throughout the game. Email baseball@umn.edu for question and discussion topics.
Here are today's starting line-ups.
Northwestern 1) Tommy Finn SS 2) Jake Goebbert LF 3) Chris Lashmet 3B 4) Chad Noble C 5) Paul Snieder 1B 6) Tony Vercelli DH 7) Kenneth Avila CF 8) Quentin Williams RF 9) Trevor Stevens 2B SP) Zach Morton
Minnesota 1) Matt Nohelty DH 2) AJ Pettersen SS 3) Derek McCallum 2B 4) Mike Kvasnicka RF 5) Kyle Knudson C 6) Nick O'Shea 1B 7) Eric Decker CF 8) Justin Gominsky LF 9) Kyle Geason 3B SP) Tom Buske
2:06 PM - Tom Buske delivers the first pitch of the game for a strike.
Minnesota baseball celebrated the 1959 and 1969 Big Ten Championship teams before the games. There were about 10 players from each team with us. Every person received a comemorative plaque. Gopher fans gave each member a hearty ovation for their past accomplishments. It is great to have the alumni with us here this afternoon. Northwestern 0, Minnesota 0, Bottom 1.
2:18 PM - AJ Pettersen nails a single in the first inning. Pettersen enters today's game batting .545 (12-22) in Big Ten play. Northwestern 0, Minnesota 0, Bottom 1.
2:25 PM - AJ Pettersen steals home after getting a fantastic jump on a wild pitch. The ball rolled just in front of the plate and Pettersen beat the Northwestern players to hme. Pettersen has great speed but possesses even better instincts on the base paths. Northwestern 0, Minnesota 2, Bottom 1.
2:55 PM - Another fast paced game today in the Metrodome. Northwestern has been playing short games the whole season and continues the trend. Northwestern 0, Minnesota 2, Top 4.
2:57 PM - Tom Buske has retired 12 Wildcat batters in a row since giving up a double to lead off the game. Northwestern 0, Minnesota 2, Bottom 4.
3:03 PM - To honor the 1959 and 1969 championship teams, Amanda Hoehn and her marketing staff are only playing music from the 1950's and 60's. It is always good to hear the Beach Boys at the park. Northwestern 0, Minnesota 2, Bottom 4.
Jon from Chanhassen asks:
Any update on Nohelty's arm and when he could return to the outfield?
Thanks for the question Jon. Matt has been working very hard on returning to the outfield. In fact, Gopher athletic trainer Matt Carlson, has said that Nohelty's rehab has been one of the best he has been involved with because of Nohelty's commitment in the training room. Nohelty could see action in the outfield within a couple of weeks but there is no definite time table for his return. Northwestern 1, Minnesota 2, Bottom 5.
3:12 PM - Kyle Geason draws his 27th walk of the season. Geason has a .190 batting average but a .415 on-base percentage. Geason's ability to be patient and draw walks along with his terrific defense, has made him a valuable asset to the team despite a relatively low batting average. Northwestern 1, Minnesota 2, Bottom 5.
Big Ten Scoreboard
Michigan State 3 at Ohio State 5, Final
Purdue 8 at Penn State 7, Top 7
Indiana 3 at Iowa 1, Bottom 6
Illinois 0 at Michigan 4, Top 4
Big Ten Standings as of (4/10)
Minnesota 4 - 2 (18 - 10)
Purdue 4 - 2 (14 - 14)
Indiana 4 - 2 (14 - 17)
Ohio State 4 - 3 (24 - 7)
Illinois 4 - 3 (19 - 8)
Michigan 4 - 3 (19 - 11)
Penn State 3 - 4 (18 - 13)
Michigan State 3 - 4 (11 - 19)
Iowa 2 - 5 (11 - 18)
Northwestern 1 - 5 (7 - 21)
3:21 PM - Minnesota continues to struggle offensively when Tom Buske is on the mound in Big Ten play. The Gophers have scored three or less runs in each conference game pitched by Buske. Buske has only given up two hits today and thrown 59 pitches through six innings.
Derek McCallum singles to lead off the sixth inning for Minnesota at extends his hitting streak to 14 games. Northwestern 1, Minnesota 2, Bottom 6.
3:24 PM - Long time Gopher baseball fan Wayne Johnson makes it out the Metrodome this afternoon. Last season, Wayne celebrated his 40th year of watching Gopher baseball. Fans like Wayne are a large part of what makes Gopher baseball so special. Thanks Wayne for all your loyalty and support! Northwestern 1, Minnesota 2, Bottom 6.
Blog host Taylor Vander Aarde wants to wish his grandmother, Alice Taylor, a very happy Easter! Thanks for being such a wonderful grandmother and following the Gopher baseball team for the past several years from Aberdeen, South Dakota! Northwestern 1, Minnesota 3, Bottom 6.
Lowell from Burnsville asks:
What is the latest on the new Gopher baseball stadium?
Lowell, drawings have been made public. In fact, if you check out the inside cover of the 2009 Gopher Baseball media guide, you can see the latest sketches. The plans look amazing. Right now, it looks like the project will go forward. No time table has been set as to when the new stadium will open. A lot will depend on how the fundraising campaign goes. The new stadium is set to be placed on top of the current Siebert Field. The entrance will be moved to right centerfield and fans will part in the 4th street parking ramp and walk on a new bridge over to the game.
3:40 PM - Freshman Justin Gominsky shows off his tremendous arm in left field as he nabs Northwestern's Jake Goebbert trying to tag up to second base. Gominsky delivered a strike from just in front of the warning track in left field. Not many Big Ten outfielders can throw like Gominsky. Very impressive. It's stretch time here at the Metrodome! Northwestern 1, Minnesota 3.
3:50 PM - Tom Buske is pitching a terrific game. He has only given up three hits in seven innings. Buske came into the game leading the Big Ten in opponents batting average at .196. He was also fourth in the conference in E.R.A at 2.34. Unfortunately, Buske has been a tough luck loser in his first two Big Ten starts. If the offense had scored a couple more runs, Buske would be making an early bid for Big Ten pitcher of the year. Northwestern 1, Minnesota 4, Bottom 7.
3:55 PM - Buske is a classic pitcher's pitcher. When he came in as a freshman, he quickly realized that his 86 mph fast ball wasn't going to blow anybody away. Buske then focused on his change-up and it is now one of the best pitches in the Big Ten. He will throw it in any count and use it to set up his fast ball. Most pitchers will use the fast ball to set up the change-up but Buske's change-up is so good he can throw it whenever he wants and get hitters to swing and miss. Baseball purists love watching Buske carve up opposing hitters.
4:00 PM - Matt Nohlety's reaching base streak currently stands at 44 games. Today he has yet to reach base. Two Gophers have to get on in order to give him a shot to extend his streak. Northwestern 1, Minnesota 4. Bottom 8.
Blog trivia question:
Who was the last Gopher to reach base in over 40 consecutive games? Avid blog readers may know this as we have discussed it during past games.
4:13 PM - Flame throwing right hander Cullen Sexton comes out to finish up the game. Sexton is looking to rebound from a rough last outing. Sexton's success will be key for the Gopher bullpen. Sexton flashes a fastball as high as 94 with a devastating low 80's slider. Northwestern 1, Minnesota 4, Top 9.
Blog trivia question answer:
Luke Appert during the 2003 season reached base in 41 consecutive games.
4:20 PM AJ Pettersen gobbles up a ground ball and throws to first for the third out of the game. Minnesota is victorious!
Minnesota will complete the series against Northwestern tomorrow at 1:05 pm. Minnesota goes for the series sweep tomorrow. Happy Easter to all the blog followers out there.
Northwestern 1, Minnesota 5, FINAL
Time of game 2:13, Attendance 812.
