University of Minnesota Athletics
Tuesday, May 7
Minneapolis, MN
6:00 PM
University of Minnesota
vs
South Dakota State
Players Mentioned
OF
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IF
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RHP
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LHP
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OF
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LHP
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RHP
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LHP
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IF
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LHP
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RHP
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1B/C
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OF
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RHP
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IF/OF
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IF
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C
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Photo by: Kelly Hagenson
Preview: Gophers Close Non-Conference Play at Home
5/6/2019 3:36:00 PM | Baseball
MINNEAPOLIS – The Gopher Baseball team played 36 innings in just over 24 hours this past weekend, but the Maroon & Gold will not have long to rest as they return to action at Siebert Field on Tuesday.
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Minnesota (21-23, 11-7 Big Ten) jumped into a tie for third in the Big Ten with a series sweep over Ohio State last week. The Gophers will welcome South Dakota State (24-17) and Omaha (26-16-1) for the team's final two non-conference outings, continuing the current nine-game home stand.
Last Time Out
Minnesota swept its three-game series against Ohio State in epic fashion, earning a 5-4 victory in 18 innings on Saturday before coming back with a dominant 11-2 win in game two and eking out a 3-2 victory in the finale. Riley Smith led the Gophers offensively batting .455 in three games, while Eduardo Estrada, Jr. and Jordan Kozicky each hit a pair of home runs on the weekend.
Against the Competition
Minnesota earned a 5-1 victory over South Dakota State earlier this season on April 16 at Siebert Field. J.P. Massey struck out four in 4.0 innings, allowing just a solo home run while striking out four. Jeff Fasching has thrown 12.0 innings against the Jackrabbits in his career, allowing just two earned runs while striking out 14 batters. The Gophers are 4-1 all-time against Omaha including a 5-3 victory last season when Joshua Culliver tossed 5.1 innings in a start. Eli Wilson went 3-for-4 with two doubles against the Mavericks while Max Meyer was 2-for-3 at the plate.
Going Streaking
Estrada and Smith lead Minnesota each with a four-game hitting streak entering the week's action. Ben Mezzenga has reached base in eight-straight games, currently leading the Gophers in that regard. Wilson owns the team's longest hitting streak earlier this year at 10 games and reached base streak at 14.
Line Drives
Minnesota's bullpen threw 18.0 shutout innings against Ohio State, including holding the Buckeyes scoreless over the final 10.2 of Saturday's 18-inning thriller ... Riley Smith scored the game-winning run in the 18th inning on Saturday and drove in the game winner with an RBI double in the eighth inning of game three Sunday ... reliever Nick Lackney has thrown 15.0 innings at Siebert Field this season without allowing a run in five appearances ... Brett Schulze matches his career high (original set as a starter) with his nine strikeouts against OSU ... Minnesota played both its longest (5:45, 18 innings) and shortest (2:18) games of the season against Ohio State this past weekend.
NCAA Superlatives
Minnesota's line-up currently ranks no. 57 nationally averaging 1.93 doubles per game, a total of 85 this season, but the pitching staff has been the strength for the Maroon & Gold this year. Gopher hurlers rank no. 31 nationally with 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings, no. 46 with 8.14 hits allowed per nine, and no. 79 with a 4.23 ERA. Cole McDevitt leads the offense with his 15 doubles, ranking no. 79 nationally. On the mound, Meyer ranks no. 50 with his 2.18 ERA, no. 69 with a 1.04 WHIP, and no. 75 with 79 strikeouts. Brett Schulze ranks no. 79 in appearances at 23.
One for the Books
Minnesota survived 18 innings against Ohio State last Saturday with a 5-4 win. The 5-hour, 45-minute marathon was among the longest games in NCAA history and the longest in recent Gophers history, surpassing a 16-inning 3-2 victory over Hamline at the Metrodome back on March 7, 2012. As a team, Minnesota posted its most at-bats (58), walks (15), sacrifice bunts (4), hit batters (6), and runners left on base (27). In the field, the Gophers had 54 putouts and 20 assists. On the mound, Minnesota collected 22 strikeouts. Individually, the Gophers set 36 single-game highs against the Buckeyes.
Double Vision
Minnesota has now played five weather-necessitated doubleheaders this season and are 5-5 in twin bills. The Gopher bullpen has tossed 48.1 innings in those 10 games to the tune of a 2.42 ERA, striking out 53 while allowing 34 hits and 28 walks. Ryan Duffy has thrown 7.1 shutout innings in three appearances. Jordan Kozicky leads the Minnesota offense with four home runs, batting .405 with 12 RBI and 10 runs scored.
Climbing the All-Time Wins List
John Anderson moved into 25th place all-time among NCAA head coaches this weekend, now with 1,309 victories to his name. He stands within striking distance of Valdosta State's Pete Dunn (1,312) and Stetson's Joe Roberts (1,314) to continue his ascent. He ranks third among current NCAA I coaches and eighth among active coaches at all levels. Already the Big Ten's winningest coach, "14" sits just 12 victories away from 600 against conference competition.
Weekday Forecast
Tuesday (6 p.m.): Cloudy ... High/Low: 57°/48° ... Winds: ESE 6 mph ... Precipitation: 25%
Wednesday (6 p.m.): Possible rain ... High/Low: 43°/42° ... Winds: NE 9 mph ... Precipitation: 61%
A Record Run
Brett Schulze suffered a rare defeat last week against No. 23 Indiana, ending his program record 14-0 unbeaten decision streak over a span of 45 appearances. His last previous defeat came in his final decision of the 2017 season on May 19, throwing 4.2 innings against Purdue back in his freshman season. The record had been held by Dan Morgan, winning 12-straight decisions in 1976-77.
Golden Spikes Award
Max Meyer earned a spot on USA Baseball's Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List last week. Meyer is just the third Gopher to land among the Midseason honorees and first since Tom Windle (2013). He currently leads the Gophers in ERA and ranks among the team leaders in batting average. Meyer was one of 19 players to remain on the Midseason List after also being selected in the Preseason.
Preseason All-Americans
Sophomore pitchers Patrick Fredrickson and 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.
B1G Time Favorite
Big Ten coaches selected the defending champion Gophers to repeat in the Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll. 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.
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 Patrick Casey expands his duties with the staff.
Returning All-Big Ten Selections
Minnesota earned seven All-Big Ten selections last season in addition to John Anderson earning the 2018 Big Ten Coach of the Year award. The Gophers return the Big Ten Freshman and Pitcher of the Year in 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 currently has nine alumni serving time in MLB organizations, with three more signed on to play major professional baseball with the American Association, including a pair in St. Paul. They are Austin Athmann ('16), Micah Coffey ('18), Lucas Gilbreath ('17), Ben Meyer ('15), Jackson Rose ('18), Dalton Sawyer ('16), Terrin Vavra ('18), and Tom Windle ('13). D.J. Snelten ('13) signed on with the Chicago Dogs and Alex Boxwell ('18) with the Gary South Shore Railcats, while Jordan Jess ('16) and Dan Motl ('16) will compete with the St. Paul Saints.
Minnesota baseball fans will enjoy five more chances to catch the Maroon & Gold on campus this season beginning Tuesday against South Dakota State. Single-game tickets remain available for all Gopher home games over the final stretch of the season. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
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Minnesota (21-23, 11-7 Big Ten) jumped into a tie for third in the Big Ten with a series sweep over Ohio State last week. The Gophers will welcome South Dakota State (24-17) and Omaha (26-16-1) for the team's final two non-conference outings, continuing the current nine-game home stand.
Last Time Out
Minnesota swept its three-game series against Ohio State in epic fashion, earning a 5-4 victory in 18 innings on Saturday before coming back with a dominant 11-2 win in game two and eking out a 3-2 victory in the finale. Riley Smith led the Gophers offensively batting .455 in three games, while Eduardo Estrada, Jr. and Jordan Kozicky each hit a pair of home runs on the weekend.
Against the Competition
Minnesota earned a 5-1 victory over South Dakota State earlier this season on April 16 at Siebert Field. J.P. Massey struck out four in 4.0 innings, allowing just a solo home run while striking out four. Jeff Fasching has thrown 12.0 innings against the Jackrabbits in his career, allowing just two earned runs while striking out 14 batters. The Gophers are 4-1 all-time against Omaha including a 5-3 victory last season when Joshua Culliver tossed 5.1 innings in a start. Eli Wilson went 3-for-4 with two doubles against the Mavericks while Max Meyer was 2-for-3 at the plate.
Going Streaking
Estrada and Smith lead Minnesota each with a four-game hitting streak entering the week's action. Ben Mezzenga has reached base in eight-straight games, currently leading the Gophers in that regard. Wilson owns the team's longest hitting streak earlier this year at 10 games and reached base streak at 14.
Line Drives
Minnesota's bullpen threw 18.0 shutout innings against Ohio State, including holding the Buckeyes scoreless over the final 10.2 of Saturday's 18-inning thriller ... Riley Smith scored the game-winning run in the 18th inning on Saturday and drove in the game winner with an RBI double in the eighth inning of game three Sunday ... reliever Nick Lackney has thrown 15.0 innings at Siebert Field this season without allowing a run in five appearances ... Brett Schulze matches his career high (original set as a starter) with his nine strikeouts against OSU ... Minnesota played both its longest (5:45, 18 innings) and shortest (2:18) games of the season against Ohio State this past weekend.
NCAA Superlatives
Minnesota's line-up currently ranks no. 57 nationally averaging 1.93 doubles per game, a total of 85 this season, but the pitching staff has been the strength for the Maroon & Gold this year. Gopher hurlers rank no. 31 nationally with 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings, no. 46 with 8.14 hits allowed per nine, and no. 79 with a 4.23 ERA. Cole McDevitt leads the offense with his 15 doubles, ranking no. 79 nationally. On the mound, Meyer ranks no. 50 with his 2.18 ERA, no. 69 with a 1.04 WHIP, and no. 75 with 79 strikeouts. Brett Schulze ranks no. 79 in appearances at 23.
One for the Books
Minnesota survived 18 innings against Ohio State last Saturday with a 5-4 win. The 5-hour, 45-minute marathon was among the longest games in NCAA history and the longest in recent Gophers history, surpassing a 16-inning 3-2 victory over Hamline at the Metrodome back on March 7, 2012. As a team, Minnesota posted its most at-bats (58), walks (15), sacrifice bunts (4), hit batters (6), and runners left on base (27). In the field, the Gophers had 54 putouts and 20 assists. On the mound, Minnesota collected 22 strikeouts. Individually, the Gophers set 36 single-game highs against the Buckeyes.
Double Vision
Minnesota has now played five weather-necessitated doubleheaders this season and are 5-5 in twin bills. The Gopher bullpen has tossed 48.1 innings in those 10 games to the tune of a 2.42 ERA, striking out 53 while allowing 34 hits and 28 walks. Ryan Duffy has thrown 7.1 shutout innings in three appearances. Jordan Kozicky leads the Minnesota offense with four home runs, batting .405 with 12 RBI and 10 runs scored.
Climbing the All-Time Wins List
John Anderson moved into 25th place all-time among NCAA head coaches this weekend, now with 1,309 victories to his name. He stands within striking distance of Valdosta State's Pete Dunn (1,312) and Stetson's Joe Roberts (1,314) to continue his ascent. He ranks third among current NCAA I coaches and eighth among active coaches at all levels. Already the Big Ten's winningest coach, "14" sits just 12 victories away from 600 against conference competition.
Weekday Forecast
Tuesday (6 p.m.): Cloudy ... High/Low: 57°/48° ... Winds: ESE 6 mph ... Precipitation: 25%
Wednesday (6 p.m.): Possible rain ... High/Low: 43°/42° ... Winds: NE 9 mph ... Precipitation: 61%
A Record Run
Brett Schulze suffered a rare defeat last week against No. 23 Indiana, ending his program record 14-0 unbeaten decision streak over a span of 45 appearances. His last previous defeat came in his final decision of the 2017 season on May 19, throwing 4.2 innings against Purdue back in his freshman season. The record had been held by Dan Morgan, winning 12-straight decisions in 1976-77.
Golden Spikes Award
Max Meyer earned a spot on USA Baseball's Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List last week. Meyer is just the third Gopher to land among the Midseason honorees and first since Tom Windle (2013). He currently leads the Gophers in ERA and ranks among the team leaders in batting average. Meyer was one of 19 players to remain on the Midseason List after also being selected in the Preseason.
Preseason All-Americans
Sophomore pitchers Patrick Fredrickson and 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.
B1G Time Favorite
Big Ten coaches selected the defending champion Gophers to repeat in the Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll. 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.
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 Patrick Casey expands his duties with the staff.
Returning All-Big Ten Selections
Minnesota earned seven All-Big Ten selections last season in addition to John Anderson earning the 2018 Big Ten Coach of the Year award. The Gophers return the Big Ten Freshman and Pitcher of the Year in 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 currently has nine alumni serving time in MLB organizations, with three more signed on to play major professional baseball with the American Association, including a pair in St. Paul. They are Austin Athmann ('16), Micah Coffey ('18), Lucas Gilbreath ('17), Ben Meyer ('15), Jackson Rose ('18), Dalton Sawyer ('16), Terrin Vavra ('18), and Tom Windle ('13). D.J. Snelten ('13) signed on with the Chicago Dogs and Alex Boxwell ('18) with the Gary South Shore Railcats, while Jordan Jess ('16) and Dan Motl ('16) will compete with the St. Paul Saints.
Minnesota baseball fans will enjoy five more chances to catch the Maroon & Gold on campus this season beginning Tuesday against South Dakota State. Single-game tickets remain available for all Gopher home games over the final stretch of the season. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
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