University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Build Lead, Defeat NDSU, 8-5
5/18/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Minnesota baseball team won its last non-conference game of the regular season in what will likely be the final game played at the existing Siebert Field, as it defeated North Dakota State, 8-5, before a crowd of 415 on Tuesday evening.
First baseman Dan Olinger was 2-for-2 with a pair of runs batted in, while center fielder Justin Gominsky tripled and drove in three runs, and right fielder Trip Schultz was 2-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI for the Gophers.
On the mound, Minnesota utilized seven pitchers, with left-hander DJ Snelten (1-2) earning his first career victory. Snelten came on in relief of starter Scott Fern and allowed six hits and two earned runs in 2.1 innings, and Minnesota took a lead it wouldn't relinquish while he was on the mound.
Gopher pitchers combined for seven strikeouts in the game, with senior Tim Ryan leading the way with a pair of Ks in just two-thirds of an inning.
Minnesota jumped ahead, 2-0, in the third when right fielder Trip Schultz singled to right center and shortstop AJ Pettersen followed with a single to left center, with the runners ending up at second and third on the throw from the outfield. First baseman Dan Olinger then lined a single past the diving shortstop to score Schultz, and Pettersen later scored on a wild pitch.
North Dakota State (18-29) responded with a two-run, two-out rally in the top of the fourth to tie the game. Nic Obey and Nick Colwell hit back-to-back doubles into the right field corner, and Tanner Adam followed with an RBI single to center.
Minnesota (21-20) started to pull away in the fifth by plating three runs on three hits. Center fielder Justin Gominsky, Olinger, and third baseman Kyle Geason each had a run batted in during the inning.
The Gophers then stretched their advantage to 8-2 in the bottom of the eighth, keyed by a two-out, two-run triple down the right field line by Gominsky, his third triple of the season.
Minnesota closes its regular season with three games versus Ohio State on Thursday and Friday at Target Field. The teams will play a doubleheader on Thursday, beginning at 3:05 p.m., and will play a single game on Friday at 6:05 p.m. Friday's game will be televised live on the Big Ten Network.
