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Seniors Grow Together to Lead Gophers in Outfield
4/17/2019 10:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Gophers trailed 8-4 when Ben Mezzenga stepped to the plate as a pinch hitter against Indiana at the 2017 Big Ten Tournament. He ripped a two-run double to pull Minnesota within a pair of runs before his then-roommate Eddie Estrada stepped in as a pinch-hitter. What happened next became the stuff of Minnesota legend as Estrada clubbed a go-ahead three-run home run for an eventual 9-8 Gopher victory.
While Estrada's postseason home run started a highlight reel for a young player, he has continued to flash greatness throughout his career despite battling injuries.
"He's had different setbacks throughout his career, whether it's health or consistent playing time, but the biggest thing for him is confidence and staying aggressive," assistant coach Patrick Casey said of Estrada. "When he does that with his bat speed hitting in the middle of our line-up, he's one of the more talented hitters in the country."
An outfielder and designated hitter, Estrada has cracked the line-up in 110 games in his career including 51 starts. While he has faced struggles throughout his four years at Minnesota, the Litchfield native has not let injuries affect his dedication to the team.
"I came into this year having no regrets, and I've been a little more healthy and playing free," said Estrada. "I embrace the role of leading by example, showing people what they should do, or [being in the dugout helping teammates] emotionally and physically."
Estrada and Mezzenga roomed together during their sophomore and junior years on campus and have seen their class of seniors grow collectively on and off the field.
"He was the first person I met on campus at orientation," said Estrada. "He's a class act and always has been. We grew up together the last four years. He's grown into an amazing baseball player, and … he's definitely going to be successful in baseball and his future endeavors."
Mezzenga smiled as he talked about his former roommate and current partner in patrolling Siebert Field's outfield.
"Seeing us all grow up since we were freshman, it's been a fun ride," said Mezzenga. "I've had a closer relationship with him than some others. Like with anyone on the team, there has been some confrontation, but that has grown our relationship stronger. I love to see how he's taken a leadership role."
While Estrada's game has been power and bat speed, Mezzenga uses his foot speed and plate discipline to bat .313 in 157 games in his career, including an outstanding .383 to earn Second Team All-Big Ten honors in 2018.
"Last year, he was hitting behind Luke Pettersen who was on base quite a bit. The right side of the infield is open when they have to play double play depth. With him leading off, they're playing up on him quite a bit," said Casey of the difference in Mezzenga's game this season. "He has to stay with his game and not change just because of how the defense is playing him. Over time, water will find its own level. When you stay within yourself and not try to be someone you're not, eventually the tide will turn."
John Anderson stresses that the leader of his team is the team itself. It is why Minnesota has no captains, but when the team saw so much of its offensive firepower leave via graduation and the MLB draft after 2018; many questions arose for who would step up in the everyday line-up entering this season.
"We have the potential to be as good as we were last year. We have molded people into leaders, and we've been having success now," said Mezzenga. "It's been more about having swagger. That's a buzzword we like to use: have more swagger than the guy on the mound. That's the intangible attitude that you're going to beat this guy no matter what he throws at you."
Estrada echoed his sentiment.
"When you have a mature line-up, the next year is going to have building blocks," said Estrada. "Getting new guys in there and getting freshmen acclimated to their new surroundings; everybody's a leader out here. Whether you have a bad game or not, you lead by example."
As the team has grown throughout the season, roles have changed. With Drew Hmielewski coming on in the outfield, Mezzenga has moved from center to left, while Estrada has played right field and DH more often than in the past.
"He's a raw athlete, and that's fun to see and work with," Mezzenga said of Hmielewski. "He's been an inspiration for me to work harder because he's been pushing himself every day."
Hmielewski has at least a hit in 5-of-6 games since the turn of the calendar to April, leading Minnesota offensively with a .381 batting average. Mezzenga has seven starts, batting .280 while riding a five-game hitting streak as of April 15. Estrada has been used sparingly this month, but is 3-for-6 in three games with a double. Along with sophomore Easton Bertrand who is enjoying a breakout year, the Gopher outfield has been leading the team offensively at the midpoint of the season.
"This year has been a little different because of the strength of schedule we've played, but these guys haven't lost any confidence," said Casey. "They've gone above and beyond what's required, and they'll do anything to make sure we succeed. I give them a lot of credit for that."
The homestand continues this weekend as Minnesota hosts Oklahoma. Game two of the three-game series will take place in downtown Minneapolis at the home of the Minnesota Twins. Tickets will only be available for purchase day of game at the Target Field box office, but the Gophers and Sooners ignite the series Friday night at Siebert Field. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
While Estrada's postseason home run started a highlight reel for a young player, he has continued to flash greatness throughout his career despite battling injuries.
"He's had different setbacks throughout his career, whether it's health or consistent playing time, but the biggest thing for him is confidence and staying aggressive," assistant coach Patrick Casey said of Estrada. "When he does that with his bat speed hitting in the middle of our line-up, he's one of the more talented hitters in the country."
An outfielder and designated hitter, Estrada has cracked the line-up in 110 games in his career including 51 starts. While he has faced struggles throughout his four years at Minnesota, the Litchfield native has not let injuries affect his dedication to the team.
"I came into this year having no regrets, and I've been a little more healthy and playing free," said Estrada. "I embrace the role of leading by example, showing people what they should do, or [being in the dugout helping teammates] emotionally and physically."
Estrada and Mezzenga roomed together during their sophomore and junior years on campus and have seen their class of seniors grow collectively on and off the field.
"He was the first person I met on campus at orientation," said Estrada. "He's a class act and always has been. We grew up together the last four years. He's grown into an amazing baseball player, and … he's definitely going to be successful in baseball and his future endeavors."
Mezzenga smiled as he talked about his former roommate and current partner in patrolling Siebert Field's outfield.
"Seeing us all grow up since we were freshman, it's been a fun ride," said Mezzenga. "I've had a closer relationship with him than some others. Like with anyone on the team, there has been some confrontation, but that has grown our relationship stronger. I love to see how he's taken a leadership role."
While Estrada's game has been power and bat speed, Mezzenga uses his foot speed and plate discipline to bat .313 in 157 games in his career, including an outstanding .383 to earn Second Team All-Big Ten honors in 2018.
"Last year, he was hitting behind Luke Pettersen who was on base quite a bit. The right side of the infield is open when they have to play double play depth. With him leading off, they're playing up on him quite a bit," said Casey of the difference in Mezzenga's game this season. "He has to stay with his game and not change just because of how the defense is playing him. Over time, water will find its own level. When you stay within yourself and not try to be someone you're not, eventually the tide will turn."
John Anderson stresses that the leader of his team is the team itself. It is why Minnesota has no captains, but when the team saw so much of its offensive firepower leave via graduation and the MLB draft after 2018; many questions arose for who would step up in the everyday line-up entering this season.
"We have the potential to be as good as we were last year. We have molded people into leaders, and we've been having success now," said Mezzenga. "It's been more about having swagger. That's a buzzword we like to use: have more swagger than the guy on the mound. That's the intangible attitude that you're going to beat this guy no matter what he throws at you."
Estrada echoed his sentiment.
"When you have a mature line-up, the next year is going to have building blocks," said Estrada. "Getting new guys in there and getting freshmen acclimated to their new surroundings; everybody's a leader out here. Whether you have a bad game or not, you lead by example."
As the team has grown throughout the season, roles have changed. With Drew Hmielewski coming on in the outfield, Mezzenga has moved from center to left, while Estrada has played right field and DH more often than in the past.
"He's a raw athlete, and that's fun to see and work with," Mezzenga said of Hmielewski. "He's been an inspiration for me to work harder because he's been pushing himself every day."
Hmielewski has at least a hit in 5-of-6 games since the turn of the calendar to April, leading Minnesota offensively with a .381 batting average. Mezzenga has seven starts, batting .280 while riding a five-game hitting streak as of April 15. Estrada has been used sparingly this month, but is 3-for-6 in three games with a double. Along with sophomore Easton Bertrand who is enjoying a breakout year, the Gopher outfield has been leading the team offensively at the midpoint of the season.
"This year has been a little different because of the strength of schedule we've played, but these guys haven't lost any confidence," said Casey. "They've gone above and beyond what's required, and they'll do anything to make sure we succeed. I give them a lot of credit for that."
The homestand continues this weekend as Minnesota hosts Oklahoma. Game two of the three-game series will take place in downtown Minneapolis at the home of the Minnesota Twins. Tickets will only be available for purchase day of game at the Target Field box office, but the Gophers and Sooners ignite the series Friday night at Siebert Field. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
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