University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
VCU
Big Seventh Inning Downs Gophers
3/16/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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March 16, 2015
The Golden Gophers took a 4-0 lead on a pair of home runs, but lost 11-4 at VCU after allowing nine runs in the seventh inning. The Rams (9-8) had nine hits to the Gophers' (6-9) seven and scored four unearned runs.
Third baseman Tony Skjefte and center fielder Alex Boxwell hit the two-run home runs for Minnesota. With shortstop Michael Handel on base after a leadoff triple, Skjefte hit a ball over the left field fence in the second inning. Boxwell's first career home run went to right field with Skjefte on base in the sixth.
Starter Tim Shannon held the Rams without a hit for the first four innings, and without a run for the first six. He stranded two Rams runners in the fifth, which had been VCU's best scoring threat up to that point.
But the momentum shifted in the seventh when VCU's leadoff batter, Darian Carpenter, reached base on an error. Back-to-back singles by Jimmy Kerrigan and Brett Hileman loaded the bases. Walker Haymaker's sacrifice fly drove in the first run.
Three more hits--including a two-out, two-run homer by Kerrigan--three walks, two wild pitches and a second error produced eight more runs in the seventh. Minnesota used three pitchers in the inning. Shannon got the first out, then Lance Thonvold and Lucas Gilbreath came out of the bullpen. The Rams added two runs against Ty McDevitt in the eighth.
Skjefte hit 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs. Second baseman Connor Schaefbauer also hit 2-for-4. Left fielder Jordan Smith (0-for-2) drew three walks. Kerrigan hit 3-for-3 for VCU with two runs and two RBIs.
Neither starter had a decision in the game. Shannon allowed five hits and four runs, three of them earned. VCU starter Matt Blanchard pitched six innings, giving up seven hits both home runs but no other scoring. Reliever Matt Lees (2-0) pitched a scoreless seventh and got the win when VCU claimed the lead. Neither Lees nor Daniel Concepcion, who pitched the final two innings, allowed a hit. Thonvold (0-2) took the loss for the Gophers after allowing three runs (two earned).
NOTABLES
*Shannon has lasted at least six innings in two of his three starts.
*Handel extended his hitting streak to eight games, while right fielder Matt Fiedler's ended at seven.
*Boxwell is the third Gopher to hit his first collegiate home run this season. Fiedler and Matt Stemper previously homered.
*Skjefte is the first Gopher to have multiple home runs this season.
*The Gophers threatened to score in the first when Smith walked and advanced on a passed ball and Schaefbauer hit an infield single to move him to third, but Schaefbauer was ruled out on a stolen base attempt and the next two Minnesota batters struck out.
UP NEXT
Minnesota will face Richmond on Tuesday and Wednesday, with both games starting at 2 p.m. CT at Shepherd Stadium.
