University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
28-11, 11-2
Ohio State
27-13, 8-6
Gophers Break Through in Ninth for 2-1 Win
4/28/2018 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The No. 21 Gopher Baseball team survived a pitcher's duel with a ninth inning run to defeat Ohio State 2-1 at Bill Davis Stadium on Saturday and claim a seventh-straight series victory on the season.
The Gophers' Patrick Fredrickson and the Buckeyes' Ryan Feltner dueled through seven innings before Ohio State (27-13, 8-6 Big Ten) made the first move to the bullpen. Fredrickson (6-0) struck out seven in 8.0 innings while scattering eight hits on the day. Feltner left after allowing eight Minnesota hits, two walks, and one unearned run in 7.0 innings while striking out nine.
"He has no fear. For a freshman, you don't see that often," said head coach John Anderson on his starting pitcher's effort. "He has three pitches he can use effectively. It's hard to hit when you have to defend three pitches. You don't know how a freshman will control the game or deal with adversity, but he has done it every time he has stepped on the mound for us.
Ohio State scraped the game's first run across in the bottom of the first when Dominic Canzone singled leading off the inning, moved to first on a sacrifice fly, stole third, and scored on a sacrifice fly, giving the Gophers a taste of their own medicine after Luke Pettersen did the same in game one of the series.
No. 21 Minnesota (28-11, 11-2 Big Ten) had an answer in the top of the fourth, taking advantage of an error on the Buckeyes infield ass Cole McDevitt walked to lead off the inning, moving to second on a sacrifice and scored from second when Conner Pohl kicked away the would-be third out of the inning off the bat of Alex Boxwell.
The Gophers once again took advantage of an error in the ninth inning. Pettersen singled to lead off the ninth, and later Terrin Vavra drew an intentional walk. With one out, the Buckeyes turned to closer Seth Kinker in relief of Griffan Smith (2-1), and Minnesota executed a double steal. The catcher's throw got away from the second baseman and both runners would advance with Pettersen scoring the go-ahead run. Max Meyer came on to pitch the ninth for the Gophers, working around a pair of two-out walks with a groundball to short to end it.
QUOTABLE
"He's an interesting guy. Between innings, he's s having conversations with people about whatever. You wouldn't think he's even pitching in the game. He does a good job of focusing when he has to and then backing away. I don't think winning or losing defines him. He just loves to pitch." - more from John Anderson on Fredrickson's demeanor during the game
NOTABLE
Fredrickson's 8.0 innings were a season high for the freshman, following up a similar 8.0-inning effort by Reggie Meyer on Friday night. The duo are the only pitchers to toss eight complete for the Gophers this season ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢'¬¦ Jordan Kozicky extended his team-leading eight-game hitting streak ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢'¬¦ Max Meyer's 11 saves tie him for the third-most in a single season by a Gophers reliever.
UP NEXT
The series concludes Sunday afternoon at Bill Davis Stadium in Columbus. First pitch of game two is set for 1:05 p.m. ET.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Fredrickson, Patrick (6-0)
L: Smith (2-1)
S: Meyer, Max (11)
Batting:
2B: Pettersen, Luke 1
SH: Mezzenga, Ben 1 ; Coffey, Micah 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Pettersen, Luke 1 ; McDevitt, Cole 1
SB: Pettersen, Luke 1 ; Vavra, Terrin 1
CS: Boxwell, Alex 1
Batting:
RBI: McGowan 1
SH: Foppe 1 ; Fishel 1
SF: McGowan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Canzone 1
SB: Canzone 1 ; Barnwell 1
PO: Dingler 1
