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University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers to Host Maryland for B1G Series
4/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
| Minnesota (19-10, 4-1) vs. Maryland (18-15, 4-2) | |
| Game 1 | Friday, April 15 | 6:30 p.m. |
| Game 2 | Saturday, April 16 | 2 p.m. |
| Game 3 | Sunday, April 17 | 1 p.m. |
| Location | Siebert Field | Minneapolis, Minn. |
| Tickets | MyGopherSports.com |
| Live Video | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
| Live Stats | | | |
| Game Day Live | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
| Social Media | @GopherBaseball | Facebook | Instagram |
Minnesota is set to play host to Maryland for a three-game series at Siebert Field, April 15-17. The opening game is set for a 6:30 p.m. start, while Saturday's game is tabbed for 2 p.m. and the finale is slated for first pitch at 1 p.m.
Fan Advisory
Fans planning to attend the games should be aware that the main parking option for the general public will be the 4th St. ramp. All fans entering will do so at the 8th Street gate. A-Frame signage will be displayed on 15th Ave. and 8th St. to help direct patrons.
Coverage
The series will feature live video on BTN Plus for all three contests with live stats available on GopherSports.com.
Projected Starters
Friday - Matt Fiedler (5-2, 3.40 ERA) vs. Taylor Bloom (5-2, 1.99 ERA)
Saturday - Dalton Sawyer (4-3, 3.98 ERA) vs. Brian Shaffer (3-2, 2.55 ERA)
Sunday - Toby Anderson (4-0, 4.40 ERA) vs. Mike Shawaryn (2-3, 4.37 ERA)
Promotions
Friday - Alumni Day Fans who arrive early for the game will receive a free t-shirt
Saturday - Celebrating the 1986 Big Ten West Division Championship team
Sunday - Kids can runs the bases and play wiffle ball following the series finale
Last Time Out
The Gophers extended their winning streak to five games by taking a 7-3 decision against South Dakota State at home. Nick Lackney earned the victory on the bump after throwing 3.1 flawless innings with three strikeouts. At the plate, Alex Boxwell, Matt Fiedler and Jordan Smith each contributed a pair of hits to guide an offense that reached double-digit hits for the 21st time this season.
Sawyer Dominance
Senior southpaw Dalton Sawyer put on one of the best pitching performances in recent memory last weekend at No. 25 Michigan. He held one of the Big Ten's most dangerous offenses to just two hits and netted a career-best 10 strikeouts in 6.0 innings of work. For his efforts, he was tabbed as the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week, the first Gopher to receive the award since Alec Crawford in 2014.
Dave Win-Fieds
In his junior campaign, Matt Fiedler has asserted himself as one of the top two-way players in the
nation, resembling former Minnesota star Dave Winfield. He holds the 15th-best batting average in the NCAA with a .422 clip and ranks in the top tier with 49 total hits as the No. 3 hitter in the lineup. Fiedler also touts a 5-2 record with a 3.40 ERA and 38 strikeouts as the ace of the staff. He also is the first player to earn the victory on the mound, hit a home run and steal a base in a single game since Winfield when he accomplished the feat on March 18 against Utah Valley.
The Streak is Alive and Well
Minnesota has not only won its last five contests, but has done so in dominating fashion. The Gophers have outscored their opponents by a margin of 38-20 and outhit the opposition .327 compared to .226. The long ball has been a huge asset for the Maroon and Gold as they have drilled six homers in the five-game stretch. On the mound, the pitching staff has amassed 42 strikeouts and maintained a 3.80 ERA in that span.
Embracing New Role
Tyler Hanson began the year as the No. 3 starter in the rotation, but has since shifted into the bullpen. Since he made the move, the junior has been stifling, allowing just one run and striking out 10 with one walk in 10.0 innings pitched.
All-Time Series
Minnesota and Maryland have only met three times in the all-time series. The Terrapins took all three matchups last season in what was Maryland's first conference games as a member of the Big Ten Conference.
About the Terrapins
Maryland comes into the series as one of the hottest teams in Big Ten, having won seven of its last 10 games, including a sweep of Ohio State last weekend. The Terps boast one of the top tandems in the country on the mound in Taylor Bloom and Brian Shaffer. Together, the two rank in the top-30 in the nation with strikeout-to-walk ratios of 7.8 and 6.8, respectively. As a staff, Maryland walks just 2.7 batters per nine innings, ranking 12th in Division I. On offense, Kevin Biondic leads the club with a .324 average. Marty Costes paces Maryland with 25 RBI and seven home runs.
Comfortable at Home
In the Gophers' seven home games, Minnesota holds a 6-1 record at Siebert Field. One major key to the team's fast start at home can be credited to its ability to hit with runners in scoring position. As a club, the Maroon and Gold have hit .369 with ducks on the pond, led by Matt Fiedler who is 7-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
Start Hot, Stay Hot
Minnesota has made its living early on in contests by scoring in its fi rst few at-bats. Through the first four innings this season, the Gophers have outscored their opponents 96-52. The Maroon and Gold have netted 27 runs in the first inning, compared to allowing just 14. Where the large disparity takes place is when Minnesota has gone through the lineup once and is facing the starter for the second time in the game. The Gophers have accumulated a 31-9 margin in the third inning of contests in 2016.
Keeping the Opposition on Ice
As a staff, Minnesota has limited the opposition to hit just .242 through 253.0 innings this year. Nick Lackney and Cody Campbell lead the team with opposing clips of .036 and .067, respectively. Out of the bullpen, Lucas Gilbreath (.150), Jeff Fasching (.217) and Tim Shannon (.216) fall next in line.
Lefties Galore
Minnesota boasts 16 left-handed hitters on its roster this season. That number is the highest among Power-5 schools, with Texas (15), Ohio State (14) and Virginia (14) the next closest. Terrin Vavra leads all left-handed hitters in Minnesota's lineup with a .390 average, while Connor Schaefbauer (.343), Toby Hanson (.316) and Micah Coffey (.308) all tout hitting clips above .300 as lefties.
Program Upgrades
Minnesota is receiving two upgrades this season. Its new state-of-the-art locker room has been ready for use for a few weeks and the new hitting facility will open midway through the season, right next to Siebert Field.
Contract Extension
Interim director of athletics Beth Goetz announced on March 4 that the University of Minnesota has agreed to terms on a contract extension with head baseball coach John Anderson through the 2021 season.
Back at the Helm
Head coach John Anderson is back for his 35th season as the lead-man for the Minnesota baseball program. Through the three-plus decades of being in charge, Anderson has amassed 1,172 wins - which is the highest win total in Big Ten and program history. His win total currently sits in the top-30 all-time among collegiate head coaches. Anderson has coached 262 Academic All-Big Ten selections, six All-Americans and 18 players who made the major leagues.
