.png&width=42&height=42&type=webp)
University of Minnesota Athletics
Maroon and Gold Head to South Dakota State
5/16/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 16, 2016 
The No. 24 Minnesota baseball program is set for its final regular season non-conference tilt when it makes the trek to Brookings, S.D. for a bout with South Dakota State on Tuesday. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. at Erv Huether Field.
The Gophers (33-15) ride into the midweek matchup having won seven of their last nine games, including two sweeps against Kansas and at Purdue.
As a club, Minnesota holds a .329 batting average, which ranks fourth in the nation. The Gophers also hold the country's 23rd-best slugging clip of .478.
Two boppers, Matt Fiedler and Austin Athmann pace the offense with batting averages of .391 and .373, respectively. Dan Motl leads the Big Ten with 17 doubles and has raised his average by 78 points in his last 21 games to a notch of .320.
Fiedler (12) and Motl (six) have both been active in stealing bases to guide Minnesota's speed on the basepaths.
On the hill, Lucas Gilbreath holds a 0.78 ERA in 12 appearances. Through 23.0 innings pitched, the southpaw has allowed just 20 hits and struck out 37.
Fellow lefty, Jordan Jess, leads the team with eight saves, which is tied for sixth all-time for a single season in program history.
In the field, the Gophers tout a .980 fielding percentage, good for eighth in the nation. Seven different players have recorded at least 40 putouts with three of fewer errors, led by infielders Toby Hanson and Connor Schaefbauer who each hold fielding percentages of .996.
Following the conclusion of the non-conference game, Minnesota welcomes Ohio State to round out the regular season. The Gophers currently control their own destiny in the race for the Big Ten regular season crown.
Coverage
Tom Witschen will have the radio call on Tuesday afternoon. Live stats will also be available on the baseball schedule page on GopherSports.com
Last Meeting
Minnesota won its fifth straight in a 7-3 decision on April 12. The Gophers accumulated 10 hits and were paced by Alex Boxwell, Jordan Smith and Fiedler, who each contributed two-hit outings. Nick Lackney earned the win on the mound in his first career start. Lackney tossed 3.1 flawless innings that were highlighted by three strikeouts. The southpaw did not allow a single baserunner in the 10 batters he faced.
All-Time Series
With the win earlier in the season, Minnesota holds a 30-11 advantage in the all-time series, dating back to 1947. However, South Dakota State took the last meeting in Brookings by a score of 13-4 in 2014.
Scouting the Jackrabbits
South Dakota State limps into the contest having dropped five of their last six, including the past three this weekend to Oral Roberts. The Jackrabbits have a 10-9 record in home contests this season. Luke Ringhofer and Jesse Munsterman pace the offense with .362 and .315 batting averages, respectively. Matt Johnson has amassed a team-high 47 RBI to go along with eight home runs. Paul Jacobson has shown his speed by swiping 20 bags so far in 2016. On the mound, Landon Busch leads the team with a 3.26 ERA in 14 appearances. Andrew Clemen guides the staff with 63 strikeouts in 77.0 innings, while Joe Erickson holds opponents to hit just .250.
| No. 24 Minnesota (33-15, 15-5 Big Ten) at South Dakota State (19-31, 12-15 Summit) | |
| Date | Time | Tuesday, May 17 | 3 p.m. |
| Location | Erv Huether Field | Brookings, S.D. |
| Live Audio | Click Here |
| Live Stats | |
| Game Day Live | Click Here |
| Social Media | @GopherBaseball | Facebook | Instagram |
The No. 24 Minnesota baseball program is set for its final regular season non-conference tilt when it makes the trek to Brookings, S.D. for a bout with South Dakota State on Tuesday. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. at Erv Huether Field.
The Gophers (33-15) ride into the midweek matchup having won seven of their last nine games, including two sweeps against Kansas and at Purdue.
As a club, Minnesota holds a .329 batting average, which ranks fourth in the nation. The Gophers also hold the country's 23rd-best slugging clip of .478.
Two boppers, Matt Fiedler and Austin Athmann pace the offense with batting averages of .391 and .373, respectively. Dan Motl leads the Big Ten with 17 doubles and has raised his average by 78 points in his last 21 games to a notch of .320.
Fiedler (12) and Motl (six) have both been active in stealing bases to guide Minnesota's speed on the basepaths.
On the hill, Lucas Gilbreath holds a 0.78 ERA in 12 appearances. Through 23.0 innings pitched, the southpaw has allowed just 20 hits and struck out 37.
Fellow lefty, Jordan Jess, leads the team with eight saves, which is tied for sixth all-time for a single season in program history.
In the field, the Gophers tout a .980 fielding percentage, good for eighth in the nation. Seven different players have recorded at least 40 putouts with three of fewer errors, led by infielders Toby Hanson and Connor Schaefbauer who each hold fielding percentages of .996.
Following the conclusion of the non-conference game, Minnesota welcomes Ohio State to round out the regular season. The Gophers currently control their own destiny in the race for the Big Ten regular season crown.
Coverage
Tom Witschen will have the radio call on Tuesday afternoon. Live stats will also be available on the baseball schedule page on GopherSports.com
Last Meeting
Minnesota won its fifth straight in a 7-3 decision on April 12. The Gophers accumulated 10 hits and were paced by Alex Boxwell, Jordan Smith and Fiedler, who each contributed two-hit outings. Nick Lackney earned the win on the mound in his first career start. Lackney tossed 3.1 flawless innings that were highlighted by three strikeouts. The southpaw did not allow a single baserunner in the 10 batters he faced.
All-Time Series
With the win earlier in the season, Minnesota holds a 30-11 advantage in the all-time series, dating back to 1947. However, South Dakota State took the last meeting in Brookings by a score of 13-4 in 2014.
Scouting the Jackrabbits
South Dakota State limps into the contest having dropped five of their last six, including the past three this weekend to Oral Roberts. The Jackrabbits have a 10-9 record in home contests this season. Luke Ringhofer and Jesse Munsterman pace the offense with .362 and .315 batting averages, respectively. Matt Johnson has amassed a team-high 47 RBI to go along with eight home runs. Paul Jacobson has shown his speed by swiping 20 bags so far in 2016. On the mound, Landon Busch leads the team with a 3.26 ERA in 14 appearances. Andrew Clemen guides the staff with 63 strikeouts in 77.0 innings, while Joe Erickson holds opponents to hit just .250.
Players Mentioned
C
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
P/IF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
C
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
IF
/ Baseball
OF
/ BaseballSights & Sounds: Spring Training
Sunday, February 22
Postgame Rouser: Gophers-Twins
Saturday, February 21
In the Cage: Michael Lippe
Tuesday, February 17
In the Cage: Ethan Cole
Monday, February 16