University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Minnesota Twins
Twins Best Gophers in Walk Off, 2-1
2/22/2018 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Box Score
FT. MYERS, Fla. - The battle of the two premier baseball teams in the state of Minnesota was just that, a pitcher's duel, as the MLB's Minnesota Twins bested the Gopher Baseball team, 2-1 in a walk-off on Thursday night at the Century Link Sports Complex.
"I was impressed with our team and their approach, their professionalism, how well they played the game on the bigger stage," said head coach John Anderson after the game. "We had a lot of young kids out there for the first time. It's invaluable experience, for the young players especially, to be in this environment.
The Twins scored first, scraping a run across in the bottom of the first inning against redshirt junior Jeff Fasching. After Gregorio Petit walked to lead off the inning, a hit-by-pitch moved him to second, and the second baseman came around to score on a single to right center field by first baseman Brock Stassi.
The Gophers had a quick answer when Michael Kohn relieved starting pitcher and Twins top pitching prospect Stephen Gonsalves in the third. Alex Boxwell led off the inning with a sharp single to left field, which Luke Pettersen followed with his second hit of the day, having led off the game with a hit for the third time in the Maroon & Gold's last four games. Micah Coffey then lifted a sacrifice fly to deep center field to score Boxwell.
The Gophers had their next best shot at a run against reliever Lewis Thorpe in the sixth when Toby Hanson singled with two outs, taking second on a wild pitch and third via a stolen base, the second of the day for the 'U,' as Pettersen had stolen second earlier in the game.
Casey Crosby worked the ninth inning for the Twins, stranding two on after a walk and a hit by pitch. John Anderson turned to his freshmen for the majority in the evening, getting 3.0 shutout innings from Joshua Culliver, 2.0 from Bubba Horton, and 1.0 from Sam Bridges. Junior Jake Stevenson got the call to put out a fire in the eighth inning with a man on, eventually escaping a two-out, bases loaded jam to hold the score 1-1.
The Twins had a walk, a single, and a hit by pitch to load the bases again in the ninth, and a wild pitch by rookie Ryan Duffy brought home the go-ahead run in a walk-off.
"That's what you're going to get in young players. Sometimes, it's going to be one good outing, one not so good," said Anderson It's going to be a bumpy roller coaster ride because they're still learning how to pitch at this level, how to manage their experience and control their emotions. I'm really encouraged by the young staff. As time goes on, they're going to be outstanding pitchers in this program. It's just a matter of when they become consistent."
QUOTABLE
"I can't thank the Minnesota Twins enough for letting us have this opportunity to play against an outstanding organization. Their interest in amateur baseball and the University of Minnesota's program has been long-documented over many years. It's tremendous exposure for this program. It helps us in recruiting, but it helps us with our branding. Not every major league team would provide this opportunity with the way they do it with how special they make it for the kids, and it's all done in a very sincere way." - John Anderson on the opportunity to play the Twins
NOTABLE
Luke Pettersen (unofficially) maintained his hitting streak, which sits at 16 games entering the weekend … freshman Bubba Horton made his first appearance donning the Maroon & Gold, making a memory as he struck out the first batter he faced, three-year big leaguer Taylor Featherston … redshirt freshman Sam Bridges made his Gophers debut as well, striking out two in a scoreless inning of work.
UP NEXT
The Gophers return to the diamond Friday for an afternoon tilt at the Snowbird Classic against Boston College at North Charlotte Regional Park in Port Charlotte, Florida. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. ET.
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