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University of Minnesota Athletics
#23 Minnesota - UW Milwaukee Blog
4/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
#23 Minnesota (20 - 10) takes on UW Milwaukee (12 - 17) from sunny Siebert Field in the Gopher's first contest at their on-campus stadium. There isn't a cloud in the sky and it's a comfortable 65 degrees; a beautiful day for baseball.
This blog is hosted by Gopher Baseball Director of Operations, Taylor Vander Aarde. If you have any questions to discuss during the game, feel free to email baseball@umn.edu.
Here are your starting line-ups for today's game.
UW Milwaukee 1) Cole Kraft SS 2) Andy Gerhartz 2B 3) Doug Dekoning CF 4) Josh Groves DH 5) Shaun Wegner C 6) Tim Patzman LF 7) Paul Hoenecke 3B 8) Shawn Wozniak 1B 9) Johann Andes RF SP) Cuyler Franzke
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) Justin Gominsky CF 8) Jon Hummel LF 9) Kyle Geason 3B SP) Allen Bechstein
3:05 PM - Allen Bechstein delivers the first pitch of the game.
3:12 PM - UW Milwaukee jumps on the board first. The Panther's come to Siebert Field riding a six game win streak, including a three game win streak against conference power Wright State. UW Milwaukee 1, Minnesota 0, Top 1.
3:16 PM - In case you missed it, the Gopher Baseball team is ranked in the Top 25 in two polls. The Gopher's are ranked #25 in Baseball America and #23 in Collegiate Baseball Magazine. UW Milwaukee 1, Minnesota 0, Bottom 1.
Big Ten Standings
Minnesota 6 - 2 (20 - 10)
Indiana 6 - 2 (16 - 17)
Ohio State 6 - 3 (26 - 7)
Illinois 6 - 3 (21 - 8)
Purdue 5 - 3 (15 - 15)
Michigan 4 - 5 (19 - 13)
Penn State 4 - 5 (19 - 14)
Michigan State 3 - 6 (11 - 21)
Iowa 2 - 7 (11 - 20)
Northwestern 1 - 7 (7 -2
Aaron from St. Louis Park asks:
Taylor, how has the team handled the transition from one midweek game in year's past to two midweek games this year? Also, how has the team been doing in the new three game Big Ten format as opposed to the old four game format?
Thanks for the questions, Aaron. It is clear that you have followed Gopher Baseball for quite some time. Thanks for the support. As for your questions, the Gophers have had a hard time during midweek games in 2009. Minnesota has only one midweek victory which came last week against Missouri. Minnesota is 19 - 4 during weekend games and 1 - 6 during the week. Obviously, it looks like we have been helped by the new three game weekend format. From a player perspective, they are really enjoying not having a double header on Saturday. With the two midweek games, the team also does not have much of a chance to practice.
3:34 PM - Allen Bechstein pitches a scoreless second inning. Minnesota's pitching staff has been spectacular this season. The Gopher's team E.R.A. is 4.33. Illinois is second in the conference in team E.R.A. at 4.60. No other team is below 5.00. UW Milwaukee 1, Minnesota 2, Bottom 2.
3:43 PM - Minnesota tacks on its third run of the game. The Gopher's already have five hits in two innings. Minnesota's offense has been strong lately as the team is leading the conference with a .311 team batting average. AJ Pettersen (2nd) and Kyle Knudson (9th) are also in the league's top ten in batting average at .467 and .419, respectively. UW Milwaukee 1, Minnesota 3. Bottom 2.
3:48 PM - Derek McCallum is averaging better than an RBI per game. McCallum has knocked in 35 runs in 31 games. UW Milwaukee 1, Minnesota 4, Top 3.
4:02 PM - The Gopher defense is on pace to set a new school record in fielding percentage. The Gopher's are fielding at a .976 clip which is five points higher than the current school record of .971 set in 2004. Playing on the Metrodome turf and its true hops helps the team. UW Milwaukee 1, Minnesota 4, Top 4.
4:07 PM - Gopher pitcher Allen Bechstein takes the bump for the fourth inning. His start today marks his longest out of the season. His previous long was 2.1 innings against Northern Iowa. UW Milwaukee 1, Minnesota 4, Top 4.
Luke from Falcon Heights asks:
With the Twins moving from the Metrodome next year, will the Gopher's still play their early season games inside?
Great question, Luke. The Gopher's will indeed be playing in the Metrodome next year. In fact, as long as the Metrodome is standing, our program will be hosting games there. The Metrodome is an incredible asset for Gopher baseball. It allows the program to practice on an indoor field in the middle of winter and hold home games when no other Big Ten school is able to play at home. If the Dome were to be knocked down, the program will have to travel for it's entire pre-Big Ten season. This could be as many as 20 games. UW Milwaukee 1, Minnesota 4, Bottom 4.
Beth from Minneapolis asks:
Whatever happened to CJ Woodrow? Last I heard he was he with a couple different farm teams.
Thanks for the question, Beth. CJ was drafted after the 2003 season by the Philadelphia Phillies. He spent a couple summers in the Phillies organization and was cut. He then signed with the Kansas City Royals for a short time. CJ is now opened up his own baseball academy that holds lessons in local high schools called Pitch 2 Pitch.
4:25 PM - If you crave outdoor baseball, you need to come to Siebert Field tomorrow at 3:05 PM as the Gopher's take on the South Dakota State Jack Rabbits. Tomorrow's forecast is 66 and sunny with a zero percent chance of rain! It doesn't get much better than this. The weather has even drawn out a few Gopher Athletics Department staff members out of the office. UW Milwaukee 1, Minnesota 5, Top 5.
Steve from Minneapolis asks:
Why isn't Eric Decker in the line-up today? By the way, you do good work, Taylor.
Thanks for the compliments, Steve. Eric is getting a much deserved break today as he has been pushing his body since the start of football in early August. The Gopher football team is going through spring workouts next to the game today. The football team has been known to come over to games after practice. Who know's maybe we will seen Adam Weber at the game. Weber is roommate's with Eric Decker and right handed pitcher Seth Rosin, UW Milwaukee 1, Minnesota 5, Top 5.
4:45 PM - It's official! Kyle Knudson's batting intro song is the pressbox favorite. Knudson comes out to "This Town" by O.A.R. Justin Gominsky finished a close second with his song "Electric Avenue" by Eddy Grant. UW Milwaukee 1, Minnesota 5, Bottom 6.
4:50 PM - Minnesota has turned the game over into the capable hands of Luke Rasmussen. The Northfield, MN native has been pitching very well this year. With the sickness of Phil Isaksson, Rasmussen has stepped up to fill in as the only left handed reliever out of the bullpen. UW Milwaukee 2, Minnesota 5, Bottom 6.
4:54 PM - UW Milwaukee calls on left handed submarine pitcher Tim Hoy. This blogger has never seen a left handed submarine pitcher. This is Hoy's first year as using this style to pitch. Hoy is getting some great movement on his fastball as it is running in on a left handed batter. UW Milwaukee 2, Minnesota 6, Bottom 6.
5:00 PM - Derek McCallum hits a triple to drive in his fourth, fifth, and sixth RBI's of the day. McCallum now has 38 runs knocked in on the season. The last time a Gopher had six RBI's in one game was Matt Fornasiere versus Iowa on March 28, 2004. UW Milwaukee 2, Minnesota 10, Bottom 6.
John from Milwaukee asks:
Since you are playing UW Milwaukee at home today, is there a return trip planned to play them next year in Milwaukee? As an alumnus, I would love to see the Gopher's play here.
Thanks for sending in a question. We do not have a game lined up in Milwaukee next year as of yet. However, that does not mean one won't be scheduled. With the Big Ten in three game series now, we are always looking for quality midweek opponents. I believe they are schedule to return to Minneapolis and play in the Metrodome at the end of February or beginning of March next year. UW Milwaukee 2, Minnesota 10, Top 7.
5:13 PM - The Gopher's are in control here at Siebert Field. A reminder that we are playing South Dakota State tomorrow at Siebert at 3:05 PM. It's stretch time!
Tom from South St. Paul asks:
Has the Big Ten network had any impact on Big Ten baseball?
Thanks for the question, Tom. I believe you are our most avid blog fan or at least the most faithful in sending in questions. The Big Ten Network has provided more exposure for Big Ten baseball for sure. There will be three conference baseball games on almost every weekend as well as the entire Big Ten Tournament. The Big Ten Network has been a tremendous help to the conference for both financial and exposure reasons. Your Golden Gophers will be on BTN in a week and a half when we square off against Purdue at the Metrodome April 24. The Minnesota-Penn State series will also be televised from State College, PA on May 15 and 16.
5:24 PM - Head Coach John Anderson pulls Derek McCallum in favor of Drew Hanish. McCallum will miss out on a chance to hit for the cycle. McCallum is missing only the double. The last time a Gopher baseball player hit for the cycle was Rob LaRue on April 30, 2002 against Hamline.
5:31 PM - Luke Rasmussen has now given up only one run in his last nine outings. Those nine outings span thirteen innings. UW Milwaukee 2, Minnesota 11, Top 8.
Blog Triva Question:
Name the year and team the Gopher's beat in their last NCAA tournament win.
5:47 PM - Justin Gominsky ties a career high with his third hit of the ball game. UW Milwaukee 2, Minnesota 12, Bottom 8.
Blog Trivia Answer:
In the 2007 NCAA tourament, the Gophers beat the University of San Diego 6 - 5 in San Diego, CA. The Torero's were ranked fourth in the nation.
6:00 PM - Sam Ryan, seeing his first action at third base this season, displays a strong throwing arm and get a Panther runner on a close play at first. UW Milwaukee 2, Minnesota 12, Top 9.
6:01 PM - Tyler Oakes strikes out the last batter of the game as Minnesota moves to 21 and 10 on the season. Minnesota will face South Dakota State tomorrow at 3:05 PM at Siebert Field.
UW Milwaukee 2, Minnesota 12, Final.
Time of Game 2:55, Attendance 227.
