.png&width=42&height=42&type=webp)
University of Minnesota Athletics
Kvasnicka Homer Propels Gophers to 1-0 Victory
2/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Junior Michael Kvasnicka (Lakeville, Minn.) delivered a walk-off home run, as the Minnesota baseball team (2-1) defeated Akron (1-2) 1-0 in the series finale at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers on Sunday, Feb. 21.
The walkoff homer by Kvasnicka was the first by a Golden Gopher since Joe Maciej hit one on May 28, 2005 against Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game.
Kvasnicka finished the game going 1-for-4 with the home run, a run and an RBI. The home run was his second of the series. Sophomore Sam Ryan (Lake Elmo, Minn.) reached base all three times, going 2-for-2 with a walk. Nick O'Shea (Blaine, Minn.) was also 2-for-3 on the game.
Matt Puhl (North St. Paul, Minn.) and Trip Schultz each had hits for the Golden Gophers as well. Minnesota had three pitchers combine to pitch the shutout. Phil Isaksson picked up the win in relief, as he went 1.1 innings, gave up one hit and struck out two batters. Senior Allen Bechstein (Apple Valley, Minn.) started gave up only one hit in four innings, while striking out two batters. Freshman Billy Soule, gave up two hits, walked one and struck out three in 3.2 innings of work.
Akron starter Ben Danzinger suffered a tough-luck loss, as he gave up seven hits, walked one and struck out three in eight innings of work.
Minnesota had runners in scoring position in the first, second, fourth and eighth innings, before cashing in with the homer in the ninth. Akron also had runners in scoring position in the fifth, sixth and ninth before the Golden Gophers prevailed in the ninth inning.
The Zips were led by Kevin Haas who reached base three times, and was 1-for-2 in the game. Minnesota will be back in action next week at the Big East/Big Ten Challenge. The Golden Gophers will face St. John's on Friday, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. (CT) at Dunedin. Minnesota will also take on Connecticut on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 12 p.m. (CT) and No. 13 Louisville on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 9 a.m. (CT). All three games can be heard live on the Gold Zone.
