University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Blanked by Michigan State 2-0
4/9/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Minnesota baseball team (10-11, 2-3) was shut out by Michigan State (19-7, 4-1) 2-0 at McLane Stadium in East Lansing, Mich. on Saturday, Apr. 9.
Michigan State starter Tony Bucciferro threw a complete-game shutout gave he gave up only five hits, did not walk a batter and collected two strikeouts in nine innings. Bucciferro, who moved to 6-1 with the win, used only 89 pitches in his complete-game effort against the Gophers.
Minnesota was led by sophomore catcher Kurt Schlangen (Albany, Minn.) who went 2-for-2 on the afternoon. Kyle Geason (Eden Prairie, Minn.) also reached base twice, as he was hit by a pitch and went 1-for-2. AJ Pettersen (Minnetonka, Minn.) finished 1-for-3, while Andy Henkemeyer (Sauk Rapids, Minn.) went 1-for-4.
Senior starter Phil Isaksson (Eau Claire, Wis.) took the loss to fall to 1-3, as he gave up six hits, two runs, walked two and did not collect a strikeout. Billy Soule gave up one hit, two walks and struck out a batter in two innings of work. Scott Matyas (North Prairie, Wis.) also pitched two-thirds shutout innings.
Minnesota had an early scoring opportunity in the top of the first when Pettersen reached on an error by the shortstop to start the game, and moved to second on a Henkemeyer single. After Justin Gominsky (Mahtomedi, Minn.) flew out to center field, Nick O'Shea (Blaine, Minn.) moved both runners up on a ground out. Bucciferro got Schultz to fly out to left field to end the inning.
Michigan State threatened when Brandon Eckerle led off the bottom of the first with a double, but Isaksson pitched around the jam to keep the game scoreless after one inning.
The Gophers had another opportunity when Schlangen led off the top of the third with a bunt single and moved to second on a sacrifice by Pettersen. However, Bucciferro was able to get out of the inning.
Michigan State got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Jeff Holm delivered a solo home run to right field to make it 1-0.
Minnesota threatened to responded in the top of the fifth inning. Geason led off with a single, but was wiped out on an fielder's choice by Matt Puhl (North St. Paul, Minn.). Schlangen followed with a bloop single and Pettersen followed with a single through the right side to load the bases. Bucciferro followed by getting Henkemeyer to ground into an inning-ending double play.
The Spartans added another run in the fifth when Eckerle single, stole second and scored on a Ryan Jones' RBI double to make it 2-0.
Michigan State had another scoring opportunity when Torsten Boss led off the inning with a double, and moved to third on a ground out by Jared Hook. Matyas entered the game, and the Gophers retired Boss coming home on a botched suicide squeez play by the Spartans. Scanlon flew out to end the inning.
The Spartans were led by Eckerle who reached base four times, and was 3-for-3 with a run and a stolen base. Holm was also 1-for-4 with a solo home run, while Jones went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a double. Boss was also 2-for-3 with a double.
Minnesota and Michigan State will wrap up the series on Sunday, Apr. 10 at 12:05 p.m. (CT). That game can be heard in the Gold Zone for free.
