University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, February 22
Dallas, TX
6:30 PM
University of Minnesota
at
Dallas Baptist
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Baseball
IF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
OF
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RHP
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1B/C
/ Baseball
RHP
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OF
/ Baseball
IF
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RHP
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RHP
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C
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IF
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IF/OF
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C
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Photo by: Jennifer Stewart
Preview: Gophers vs. Dallas Baptist
2/21/2019 8:39:00 AM | Baseball
The Gopher Baseball team will set out for a three-game road series for the first time in 2019 as the team takes on Dallas Baptist (3-1) for the first time in ten seasons. After competing at the tough College Baseball Classic in week one, the road ahead does not get much easier for Minnesota (1-3), who will look for a bounce-back against the Patriots.
Against the Competition
Minnesota is 3-1 all-time against the Patriots, including sweeping a three-game series last time out on March 19-21, 2009. No current Gophers have faced Dallas Baptist. Minnesota played a neutral site game against George Washington University at Horner Ballpark last season, a 12-5 win for the Maroon & Gold.
NCAA Superlatives
Minnesota has turned four double plays through four games,. Only 23 teams have more with the highest total being seven (three teams) .. the Gophers' six stolen bases already thiss season rank fifth in the Big Ten and no. 41 nationally ... Joshua Culliver ranks no. 69 in the nation with a 6.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Going Streaking
Cole McDevitt and Eli Wilson lead the Gophers with at least a hit in every game this season. McDevitt's six-game hitting streak is the longest on the team dating back to last season, while Wilson now has a hit in five straight. McDevitt has reached base in 12 consecutive games while Wilson's five-game on-base streak is second on the team.
Line Drives
Eduardo Estrada, Jr. hit his first home run since May 26, 2017 against Indiana at the Big Ten Tournament on Friday against Gonzaga ... Brett Schulze has now claimed his last 10 decisions for the Gophers, without a loss in 25 appearances ... four Gopher rookies made their collegiate debuts last weekend: J.P. Massey, Zack Raabe, Chase Stanke, and Andrew Wilhite ... Raabe lined a single to right for his first career hit against Gonzaga on Monday.
Road to 1,300 Wins
John Anderson entered the 2019 season needing just 12 victories to reach 1,300 in his career, moving him into a tie with Fresno State's Bob Bennett (1967, 1970-2002) for 26th all-time. Anderson is already the seventh-winningest active coach in NCAA baseball.
Preseason All-Americans
Sophomore pitchers Patrick Fredrickson and Max Meyer received Preseason All-America recognition from four organizations to begin 2019. Fredrickson landed Second Team selections from Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, NCBWA, and Perfect Game, and a Third Team pick from D1Baseball. Meyer landed on D1Baseball's First Team, the Second Team from both NCBWA and Perfect Game, and Third Team from Collegiate Baseball.
USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award
Meyer became just the second Golden Gopher in the 42-year history of the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award to be named to its Preseason Watch List on Feb. 7. Pitcher Tom Windle was the last student athlete to represent Minnesota back in 2013. Meyer competed for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team this summer, leading the way with 15 strikeouts and seven saves in eight appearances spanning 8.0 innings.
Stopper of the Year
Meyer also landed on the NCBWA's Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List announced Feb. 11. The sophomore right-hander previously made the watch list at midseason last year and was a finalist for the award in 2018 finishing with 16 saves, a Gopher program record.
Top of the Class
Fredrickson, Meyer, and senior first baseman Cole McDevitt also earned preseason recognition from Perfect Game among the best athletes in their given class. Meyer ranked no. 20 among sophomores and Fredrickson no. 56. McDevitt ranked no. 34 among seniors in 2019.
B1G Time Favorite
Big Ten coaches selected the defending champion Gophers to repeat in the Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll announced Wednesday. Mezzenga and hurlers Fredrickson and Meyer were each chosen as Players to Watch in league play this season. Fredrickson, the reigning Big Ten Pitcher and Freshman of the Year, and Meyer each received First Team All-Big Ten honors last year, while Mezzenga was a Second Team selection.
Ahead of the Curve
Minnesota's nine-member rookie class ranked no. 37 according to Collegiate Baseball's NCAA Division I "2018 Recruiting Championship" rankings. The Gophers topped the Big Ten as the only team to crack the top-40 with nine conference opponents receiving recognition among other top classes outside the rankings. Chase Stanke and Gus Radel each received national rankings from both Perfect Game and Prep Baseball Report, while Noah Berghammer, Otto Grimm, Zack Raabe, and Andrew Wilhite were each ranked as the top players at their position in their home state. Six members of the incoming class achieved All-America status during their prep careers.
A New Look Dugout
Following the retirement of Gophers assistant head coach Rob Fornasiere following the 2018 season, John Anderson has revamped his coaching staff. Pitching coach Ty McDevitt has been elevated to assistant coach in his third season, former Upper Iowa University head coach Brandon Hunt joins the Maroon & Gold as a volunteer assistant, Golden Gopher alum and long-time Atlantic League standout Dan Lyons returns as a student assistant, and former head student manager Ryan Goll officially joins the staff as an undergraduate assistant. Hitting coach and recruiting coordinator Pat Casey expands his duties with the staff.
A Whole Year in Airports
Along with scheduling stiff competition in the non-conference slate, Minnesota will open its season with 21-straight games on the road in seven cities across four time zones. The Gophers are without their home-away-from-home in U.S. Bank Stadium this season due to the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four in Minneapolis.
Returning All-Big Ten Selections
Minnesota earned seven All-Big Ten selections last season along with head coach John Anderson earning the 2018 Big Ten Coach of the Year award. The Gophers return the Big Ten Freshman and Pitcher of the Year starting pitcher Patrick Fredrickson and fellow All-Big Ten First Team selection relief pitcher Max Meyer as well as Second Team outfielder Ben Mezzenga. Senior infielder/catcher Cole McDevitt also returns having earned an All-Big Ten First Team selection back in 2017.
Gophers in the Pros
Minnesota continues to produce talent at the next level with four players drafted in 2018 (Micah Coffey, Reggie Meyer, Jackson Rose, and Terrin Vavra) and a pair of former Gophers reaching the big leagues for the first time last season. Ben Meyer ('15) made his debut with the Miami Marlins on June 7 last year and received an invite to major league camp this spring. D.J. Snelten ('13) made his big league debut on April 29 with the San Francisco Giants. Now with the Baltimore Orioles, he'll look to earn a return trip to The Show this season. In total, 12 former Gophers are currently serving their time in MLB organizations.
Against the Competition
Minnesota is 3-1 all-time against the Patriots, including sweeping a three-game series last time out on March 19-21, 2009. No current Gophers have faced Dallas Baptist. Minnesota played a neutral site game against George Washington University at Horner Ballpark last season, a 12-5 win for the Maroon & Gold.
NCAA Superlatives
Minnesota has turned four double plays through four games,. Only 23 teams have more with the highest total being seven (three teams) .. the Gophers' six stolen bases already thiss season rank fifth in the Big Ten and no. 41 nationally ... Joshua Culliver ranks no. 69 in the nation with a 6.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Going Streaking
Cole McDevitt and Eli Wilson lead the Gophers with at least a hit in every game this season. McDevitt's six-game hitting streak is the longest on the team dating back to last season, while Wilson now has a hit in five straight. McDevitt has reached base in 12 consecutive games while Wilson's five-game on-base streak is second on the team.
Line Drives
Eduardo Estrada, Jr. hit his first home run since May 26, 2017 against Indiana at the Big Ten Tournament on Friday against Gonzaga ... Brett Schulze has now claimed his last 10 decisions for the Gophers, without a loss in 25 appearances ... four Gopher rookies made their collegiate debuts last weekend: J.P. Massey, Zack Raabe, Chase Stanke, and Andrew Wilhite ... Raabe lined a single to right for his first career hit against Gonzaga on Monday.
Road to 1,300 Wins
John Anderson entered the 2019 season needing just 12 victories to reach 1,300 in his career, moving him into a tie with Fresno State's Bob Bennett (1967, 1970-2002) for 26th all-time. Anderson is already the seventh-winningest active coach in NCAA baseball.
Preseason All-Americans
Sophomore pitchers Patrick Fredrickson and Max Meyer received Preseason All-America recognition from four organizations to begin 2019. Fredrickson landed Second Team selections from Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, NCBWA, and Perfect Game, and a Third Team pick from D1Baseball. Meyer landed on D1Baseball's First Team, the Second Team from both NCBWA and Perfect Game, and Third Team from Collegiate Baseball.
USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award
Meyer became just the second Golden Gopher in the 42-year history of the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award to be named to its Preseason Watch List on Feb. 7. Pitcher Tom Windle was the last student athlete to represent Minnesota back in 2013. Meyer competed for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team this summer, leading the way with 15 strikeouts and seven saves in eight appearances spanning 8.0 innings.
Stopper of the Year
Meyer also landed on the NCBWA's Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List announced Feb. 11. The sophomore right-hander previously made the watch list at midseason last year and was a finalist for the award in 2018 finishing with 16 saves, a Gopher program record.
Top of the Class
Fredrickson, Meyer, and senior first baseman Cole McDevitt also earned preseason recognition from Perfect Game among the best athletes in their given class. Meyer ranked no. 20 among sophomores and Fredrickson no. 56. McDevitt ranked no. 34 among seniors in 2019.
B1G Time Favorite
Big Ten coaches selected the defending champion Gophers to repeat in the Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll announced Wednesday. Mezzenga and hurlers Fredrickson and Meyer were each chosen as Players to Watch in league play this season. Fredrickson, the reigning Big Ten Pitcher and Freshman of the Year, and Meyer each received First Team All-Big Ten honors last year, while Mezzenga was a Second Team selection.
Ahead of the Curve
Minnesota's nine-member rookie class ranked no. 37 according to Collegiate Baseball's NCAA Division I "2018 Recruiting Championship" rankings. The Gophers topped the Big Ten as the only team to crack the top-40 with nine conference opponents receiving recognition among other top classes outside the rankings. Chase Stanke and Gus Radel each received national rankings from both Perfect Game and Prep Baseball Report, while Noah Berghammer, Otto Grimm, Zack Raabe, and Andrew Wilhite were each ranked as the top players at their position in their home state. Six members of the incoming class achieved All-America status during their prep careers.
A New Look Dugout
Following the retirement of Gophers assistant head coach Rob Fornasiere following the 2018 season, John Anderson has revamped his coaching staff. Pitching coach Ty McDevitt has been elevated to assistant coach in his third season, former Upper Iowa University head coach Brandon Hunt joins the Maroon & Gold as a volunteer assistant, Golden Gopher alum and long-time Atlantic League standout Dan Lyons returns as a student assistant, and former head student manager Ryan Goll officially joins the staff as an undergraduate assistant. Hitting coach and recruiting coordinator Pat Casey expands his duties with the staff.
A Whole Year in Airports
Along with scheduling stiff competition in the non-conference slate, Minnesota will open its season with 21-straight games on the road in seven cities across four time zones. The Gophers are without their home-away-from-home in U.S. Bank Stadium this season due to the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four in Minneapolis.
Returning All-Big Ten Selections
Minnesota earned seven All-Big Ten selections last season along with head coach John Anderson earning the 2018 Big Ten Coach of the Year award. The Gophers return the Big Ten Freshman and Pitcher of the Year starting pitcher Patrick Fredrickson and fellow All-Big Ten First Team selection relief pitcher Max Meyer as well as Second Team outfielder Ben Mezzenga. Senior infielder/catcher Cole McDevitt also returns having earned an All-Big Ten First Team selection back in 2017.
Gophers in the Pros
Minnesota continues to produce talent at the next level with four players drafted in 2018 (Micah Coffey, Reggie Meyer, Jackson Rose, and Terrin Vavra) and a pair of former Gophers reaching the big leagues for the first time last season. Ben Meyer ('15) made his debut with the Miami Marlins on June 7 last year and received an invite to major league camp this spring. D.J. Snelten ('13) made his big league debut on April 29 with the San Francisco Giants. Now with the Baltimore Orioles, he'll look to earn a return trip to The Show this season. In total, 12 former Gophers are currently serving their time in MLB organizations.
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