University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Texas
Minnesota Lose Final Game to Texas
3/24/2013 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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Baseball Home | March 24, 2013
The Golden Gophers (14-11) dropped a 6-3 decision to Texas (14-9) in the series finale at the Metrodome on Sunday, Mar. 24. With the loss, the Longhorns claimed two out of the three games in the series.
Minnesota was led offensively by Michael Handel who went 2-for-4 with a double and a run. Connor Schaefbauer also reached base twice and was 1-for-2 with an RBI, while Mark Tatera was 1-for-2 with a run. Andy Henkemeyer and Matt Halloran also knocked in a run each for the Gophers.
Texas got out to a quick start with four runs in the first two innings. Erich Weiss delivered an RBI single in the top of the first to put the Longhorns up 1-0. In the top of the second, Ben Johnson had an RBI triple and scored on a safety squeeze play on a bunt by Jacob Felts. Weston Hall finished the scoring off in the second with an RBI single to make it 4-0.
The Longhorns pushed the lead to 6-0 with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth when C.J. Hinojosa scored on an error and Hall delivered an RBI double.
Minnesota finally broke through with three runs in the bottom of the seventh to cut the Texas lead in half. The Gophers loaded the bases with no one out on Longhorn starter Nathan Thornhill. Texas reliever Ty Culbreth hit Matt Halloran to plate Minnesota's first run. Schaefbauer drew a bases-loaded walk with one out to cut the lead to 6-2. Henkemeyer plated the final run of the inning on a sacrifice fly to bring the score to 6-3.
For the second straight game, Texas reliever Corey Knebel pitched two shutout innings to close out the game as he collected the save.
Minnesota starter Alec Crawford took the loss, as he gave up five hits, three earned runs, walked one and struck out two in three innings of work. DJ Snelten gave up three hits, one earned run, walked one and struck out two in 2.1 innings of work. Kyle O'Shea, Kevin Kray and Alex Tukey combined for 3.2 shutout innings the rest of the way.
Thornhill took the no-decision for Texas as he gave up five hits, three run, one walk and struck out five batters in six innings.
The Longhorns were offensively by Hall who went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a run. Brooks Marlow was also 3-for-4 with a run.
Minnesota will be back in action when it faces South Dakota State at the Metrodome on Wednesday, Mar. 27 at 6:35 p.m.
