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Friday, April 2
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Minnesota Hosts Michigan State in 2021 Siebert Field Opener
3/31/2021 9:06:00 AM | Baseball
Friday, April 2
Minnesota vs. Michigan State
First Pitch: 4:00 p.m. CT
Location: Siebert Field
Minnesota Starter: RHP Sam Ireland (0-2, 3.70 ERA)
Michigan State Starter: RHP Mason Erla (2-2, 3.65 ERA)
Watch: BTN+
Saturday, April 3
Minnesota vs. Michigan State
First Pitch: 1:00 p.m. CT
Location: Siebert Field
Minnesota Starter: LHP Jack Liffrig (1-1, 5.06 ERA)
Michigan State Starter: RHP Adam Berghorst (1-1, 4.08 ERA)
Watch: BTN+
Sunday, April 4
Minnesota vs. Michigan State
First Pitch: 1:00 p.m. CT
Location: Siebert Field
Minnesota Starter: RHP Trent Schoeberl (0-1, 5.40 ERA)
Michigan State Starter: LHP Nick Powers (1-1, 2.76 ERA)
Watch: BTN+
Minnesota (3-12) welcomes Big Ten foe Michigan State (7-8) to Siebert Field for a trio of games this upcoming weekend, marking the first series at the Gophers' home ballpark since the 2019 campaign – a gap of 22 months.
SERIES HISTORY
Although the Gophers have not played at Siebert Field since 2019, it has been even longer since the team went head-to-head against Michigan State. Having last competed against the Spartans at the 2018 Big Ten Tournament, Minnesota and Michigan State have played 137 times in the history of the two programs. To date, the Maroon & Gold possess a 91-46 (.664) advantage in the all-time series, winning the aforementioned 2018 Big Ten Tournament game by a 3-2 score. The Gophers also took two-of-three from the Spartans during the 2018 regular season and have won eight of their last nine against Michigan State dating back to 2015.
LAST TIME OUT
The Gophers visited Nebraska for a four-game series in Lincoln last weekend (March 26-28), although they were unable to come home with a victory as the Huskers swept the set. However, Minnesota came out on top in their most recent home game, defeating Northwestern by a score of 7-3 to avoid a three-game sweep at U.S. Bank Stadium.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
Michigan State enters this weekend's series with a 7-8 overall record, sitting in ninth place in the Big Ten standings. The Spartans are coming off of a win in their most recent game, having defeated first place Indiana, 5-1, after dropping the first two game of the series. Overall, Michigan State sits in fifth in the Big Ten with a .267 team batting average and ranks sixth in the conference with a collective 4.48 ERA.
BACK AT SIEBERT
The Maroon & Gold last hosted a series at Siebert Field from May 10-12 of the 2019 campaign, signifying a span of 692 days in between competitions at Minnesota's home ballpark. In the team's most recent series at Siebert, Minnesota claimed two-of-three against Maryland to come away with the series victory. Siebert Field represents a true home field advantage for the Gophers, seeing as the team went 14-7 at their home park during the 2019 campaign.
BROADCAST SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
This past week, the Big Ten announced its plans for broadcasts for the remainder of the 2021 season. Minnesota will play on national television four times throughout the regular season: April 9 at Iowa (6:30 p.m. on BTN), April 16 vs. Michigan (3 p.m. on ESPNU), May 15 vs. Rutgers (6:30 p.m. on BTN) and May 30 at Purdue (3 p.m. on BTN).
GOLDEN SPIKES WATCH
Entering the season as a Preseason Second Team All-American after leading the nation with 31 hits in 2020, second baseman Zack Raabe has established himself as one of the nation's top offensive performers through the first four weeks of the 2021 season. Heading into the Michigan State series, Raabe is slashing .409/.519/.818 with four home runs, one triple, four doubles, six RBI and eight runs scored. Raabe currently ranks among the top hitters in the nation in slugging percentage (16th) and on-base percentage (45th). Meanwhile, the junior ranks near the top of the Big Ten in a variety of categories: batting average (third), slugging (fourth), total bases (sixth), on-base percentage (seventh) and home runs (tied ninth).
IRELAND ALL ACES
Serving as Minnesota's Friday night starter through the first month of the season, the right-handed Ireland has worked into the sixth inning or later while allowing four runs or fewer in three straight outings. Overall, the Gopher ace leads the team with a 3.70 ERA and has struck out 23 batters in 24 1/3 innings of work. Although opposing batters are hitting just .242 against Ireland, he is still in search of the first victory of his young career.
IN NEED OF A LIFF
Pitching in game two of the series against Nebraska on March 27, the left-handed Liffrig enjoyed the best start of his career. Tying his career high with 5 2/3 innings pitched, Liffrig allowed just one earned run on five hits and four walks while striking out three. Liffrig exited the game in line for the win in the sixth, but ultimately received a no-decision.
SWEENY FOR THE FENCES
Having already produced a six-RBI game earlier this season (March 7 vs. Rutgers), first baseman Ronald Sweeny drove in another five runs across three games against Nebraska last weekend to extend his team-leading RBI total to 13. In Saturday's doubleheader alone, Sweeny went a combined 3-for-6 with one home run, two doubles, five RBI and two runs scored.
TEAM LEADERS
Batting average: Raabe (.409)
On-base percentage: Raabe (.519)
Slugging percentage: Raabe (.818)
Home runs: Raabe (4)
Doubles: Andrew Wilhite, Raabe (4)
Hits: Raabe (18)
RBI: Sweeny (13)
Runs: Raabe (8)
Stolen bases: Chase Stanke, Sweeny (1)
Game started: Raabe, Stanke, Jack Wassel (14)
Earned run average: Ireland (3.70)
Innings pitched: Ireland (24 1/3)
Strikeouts: Ireland (23)
Wins: Nolan Burchill, Liffrig, Tom Skoro (1)
Saves: Ryan Duffy (1)
Games Started: Ireland, Liffrig (4)
Batting average against: Danny Kapala (.167)
YOUNG GUNS
In total, 10 of Minnesota's 15 starts this season have been made by sophomores Ireland, Liffrig and Schoeberl. Four different sophomores and two freshmen have logged innings for the Gophers so far this season, as rookies Brett Bateman and Noah DeLuga have seen mound work as well in addition to sophomore Bennett Theisen.
JOHN ANDERSON'S 40TH SEASON
The 2021 Gopher Baseball campaign marks head coach John Anderson's 40th season at the helm of the program. Having been hired in the fall of 1981, Anderson boasts 1,328 wins, 19 NCAA postseason appearances, 11 regular season Big Ten Championships, 10 Big Ten Tournament titles and eight Big Ten Coach of the Year awards. At present, Anderson ranks second in wins among active Division I head baseball coaches and 22nd all-time in the history of the sport.
STANKE NAMED TO BUSTER POSEY AWARD WATCH LIST
Stanke was named to the 2021 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award Watch List on March 9. Stanke came into the campaign on the heels of a breakout summer in the Northwoods League, where he batted .310/.360/.470 with three home runs, 22 RBI and 14 runs across 100 at bats. As a result, Stanke was named a 2020 Northwoods League Postseason All-Star. So far in 2021, Stanke owns a .217/.321/.239 batting line with one double, four RBI and five runs scored.
2020 IN REVIEW
Minnesota concluded the 2020 season with an 8-10 overall record, concluding the year on a two-game winning streak. The Gophers notched signature victories against Oregon, Arizona, TCU, North Carolina and Creighton before the season was cancelled on Friday, March 13 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Minnesota posted a 6-8 record at home while playing at U.S. Bank Stadium and went 2-2 in neutral site games.
PRESEASON ACCOLADES
Raabe came into the season as a Preseason Second Team All-American (Collegiate Baseball) after earning 2020 Second Team All-American honors. Raabe was also ranked by D1Baseball as the preseason No. 4 second baseman in the nation, while redshirt senior Wassel was tabbed as the preseason No. 6 third baseman in the country. Wassel was also named to the 2021 Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award Watch List.
B1G DOMINANCE
Minnesota continues to dominate the Big Ten as it relates to NCAA Tournament appearances and offensive production. Minnesota's 32 NCAA Tournament Appearances rank first in the conference and are eight more than the next closest school (Michigan). As for the offense, 2020 marked the fourth time in the last five years that the Gophers led the B1G in both hits and total bases (2016, 2017, 2018, 2020). The Gophers are the only team in the B1G in the last 30 years to have led the conference in hitting for three straight seasons and have had more unique players hit .300 (18) than any other team dating back to 2016.
B1G BATS BACK
After leading the Big Ten in hits and total bases again in 2020, Minnesota returns all six of the team's .300 hitters from last season. Raabe (.463), Otto Grimm (.400), Wassel (.364), Andrew Wilhite (.320), Ireland (.303) and Easton Bertrand (.302) all return for the Gophers and figure to receive regular at bats for the team. In total, Minnesota returns seven positional starters from last season, with shortstop being the only position to see turnover.
NEW TO THE U
Minnesota welcomes six new players to the fold for the 2021 campaign, including five freshmen: outfielder/right-handed pitcher Bateman, left-handed pitcher DeLuga, catcher/outfielder Kelly, right-hander pitcher George Klassen and infielder Boston Merila. Redshirt senior left-handed pitcher Tom Skoro also joins the Maroon & Gold after transferring in from Mizzou.
FAMILIAR FACES
Coupled with the newcomers are 31 returners to Minnesota's 2021 dugout, including positional starters at every position but shortstop.
KEY DEPARTURES
In addition to losing third overall pick Max Meyer to the 2020 MLB Draft, Minnesota also bid farewell to redshirt senior Jordan Kozicky (graduation) and junior right-handed pitcher Sam Thoresen (free agent signee) on the heels of last season. Aside from those three players, Minnesota returns their entire 2020 roster.
UP NEXT
Following their three-game series against Michigan State, the Gophers travel to Iowa City for a three-game set against the Hawkeyes from April 9-11. Friday's matchup will air on BTN at 6:30 p.m. CT, while the two games to follow will stream live on BTN+.
Minnesota vs. Michigan State
First Pitch: 4:00 p.m. CT
Location: Siebert Field
Minnesota Starter: RHP Sam Ireland (0-2, 3.70 ERA)
Michigan State Starter: RHP Mason Erla (2-2, 3.65 ERA)
Watch: BTN+
Saturday, April 3
Minnesota vs. Michigan State
First Pitch: 1:00 p.m. CT
Location: Siebert Field
Minnesota Starter: LHP Jack Liffrig (1-1, 5.06 ERA)
Michigan State Starter: RHP Adam Berghorst (1-1, 4.08 ERA)
Watch: BTN+
Sunday, April 4
Minnesota vs. Michigan State
First Pitch: 1:00 p.m. CT
Location: Siebert Field
Minnesota Starter: RHP Trent Schoeberl (0-1, 5.40 ERA)
Michigan State Starter: LHP Nick Powers (1-1, 2.76 ERA)
Watch: BTN+
Minnesota (3-12) welcomes Big Ten foe Michigan State (7-8) to Siebert Field for a trio of games this upcoming weekend, marking the first series at the Gophers' home ballpark since the 2019 campaign – a gap of 22 months.
SERIES HISTORY
Although the Gophers have not played at Siebert Field since 2019, it has been even longer since the team went head-to-head against Michigan State. Having last competed against the Spartans at the 2018 Big Ten Tournament, Minnesota and Michigan State have played 137 times in the history of the two programs. To date, the Maroon & Gold possess a 91-46 (.664) advantage in the all-time series, winning the aforementioned 2018 Big Ten Tournament game by a 3-2 score. The Gophers also took two-of-three from the Spartans during the 2018 regular season and have won eight of their last nine against Michigan State dating back to 2015.
LAST TIME OUT
The Gophers visited Nebraska for a four-game series in Lincoln last weekend (March 26-28), although they were unable to come home with a victory as the Huskers swept the set. However, Minnesota came out on top in their most recent home game, defeating Northwestern by a score of 7-3 to avoid a three-game sweep at U.S. Bank Stadium.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
Michigan State enters this weekend's series with a 7-8 overall record, sitting in ninth place in the Big Ten standings. The Spartans are coming off of a win in their most recent game, having defeated first place Indiana, 5-1, after dropping the first two game of the series. Overall, Michigan State sits in fifth in the Big Ten with a .267 team batting average and ranks sixth in the conference with a collective 4.48 ERA.
BACK AT SIEBERT
The Maroon & Gold last hosted a series at Siebert Field from May 10-12 of the 2019 campaign, signifying a span of 692 days in between competitions at Minnesota's home ballpark. In the team's most recent series at Siebert, Minnesota claimed two-of-three against Maryland to come away with the series victory. Siebert Field represents a true home field advantage for the Gophers, seeing as the team went 14-7 at their home park during the 2019 campaign.
BROADCAST SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
This past week, the Big Ten announced its plans for broadcasts for the remainder of the 2021 season. Minnesota will play on national television four times throughout the regular season: April 9 at Iowa (6:30 p.m. on BTN), April 16 vs. Michigan (3 p.m. on ESPNU), May 15 vs. Rutgers (6:30 p.m. on BTN) and May 30 at Purdue (3 p.m. on BTN).
GOLDEN SPIKES WATCH
Entering the season as a Preseason Second Team All-American after leading the nation with 31 hits in 2020, second baseman Zack Raabe has established himself as one of the nation's top offensive performers through the first four weeks of the 2021 season. Heading into the Michigan State series, Raabe is slashing .409/.519/.818 with four home runs, one triple, four doubles, six RBI and eight runs scored. Raabe currently ranks among the top hitters in the nation in slugging percentage (16th) and on-base percentage (45th). Meanwhile, the junior ranks near the top of the Big Ten in a variety of categories: batting average (third), slugging (fourth), total bases (sixth), on-base percentage (seventh) and home runs (tied ninth).
IRELAND ALL ACES
Serving as Minnesota's Friday night starter through the first month of the season, the right-handed Ireland has worked into the sixth inning or later while allowing four runs or fewer in three straight outings. Overall, the Gopher ace leads the team with a 3.70 ERA and has struck out 23 batters in 24 1/3 innings of work. Although opposing batters are hitting just .242 against Ireland, he is still in search of the first victory of his young career.
IN NEED OF A LIFF
Pitching in game two of the series against Nebraska on March 27, the left-handed Liffrig enjoyed the best start of his career. Tying his career high with 5 2/3 innings pitched, Liffrig allowed just one earned run on five hits and four walks while striking out three. Liffrig exited the game in line for the win in the sixth, but ultimately received a no-decision.
SWEENY FOR THE FENCES
Having already produced a six-RBI game earlier this season (March 7 vs. Rutgers), first baseman Ronald Sweeny drove in another five runs across three games against Nebraska last weekend to extend his team-leading RBI total to 13. In Saturday's doubleheader alone, Sweeny went a combined 3-for-6 with one home run, two doubles, five RBI and two runs scored.
TEAM LEADERS
Batting average: Raabe (.409)
On-base percentage: Raabe (.519)
Slugging percentage: Raabe (.818)
Home runs: Raabe (4)
Doubles: Andrew Wilhite, Raabe (4)
Hits: Raabe (18)
RBI: Sweeny (13)
Runs: Raabe (8)
Stolen bases: Chase Stanke, Sweeny (1)
Game started: Raabe, Stanke, Jack Wassel (14)
Earned run average: Ireland (3.70)
Innings pitched: Ireland (24 1/3)
Strikeouts: Ireland (23)
Wins: Nolan Burchill, Liffrig, Tom Skoro (1)
Saves: Ryan Duffy (1)
Games Started: Ireland, Liffrig (4)
Batting average against: Danny Kapala (.167)
YOUNG GUNS
In total, 10 of Minnesota's 15 starts this season have been made by sophomores Ireland, Liffrig and Schoeberl. Four different sophomores and two freshmen have logged innings for the Gophers so far this season, as rookies Brett Bateman and Noah DeLuga have seen mound work as well in addition to sophomore Bennett Theisen.
JOHN ANDERSON'S 40TH SEASON
The 2021 Gopher Baseball campaign marks head coach John Anderson's 40th season at the helm of the program. Having been hired in the fall of 1981, Anderson boasts 1,328 wins, 19 NCAA postseason appearances, 11 regular season Big Ten Championships, 10 Big Ten Tournament titles and eight Big Ten Coach of the Year awards. At present, Anderson ranks second in wins among active Division I head baseball coaches and 22nd all-time in the history of the sport.
STANKE NAMED TO BUSTER POSEY AWARD WATCH LIST
Stanke was named to the 2021 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award Watch List on March 9. Stanke came into the campaign on the heels of a breakout summer in the Northwoods League, where he batted .310/.360/.470 with three home runs, 22 RBI and 14 runs across 100 at bats. As a result, Stanke was named a 2020 Northwoods League Postseason All-Star. So far in 2021, Stanke owns a .217/.321/.239 batting line with one double, four RBI and five runs scored.
2020 IN REVIEW
Minnesota concluded the 2020 season with an 8-10 overall record, concluding the year on a two-game winning streak. The Gophers notched signature victories against Oregon, Arizona, TCU, North Carolina and Creighton before the season was cancelled on Friday, March 13 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Minnesota posted a 6-8 record at home while playing at U.S. Bank Stadium and went 2-2 in neutral site games.
PRESEASON ACCOLADES
Raabe came into the season as a Preseason Second Team All-American (Collegiate Baseball) after earning 2020 Second Team All-American honors. Raabe was also ranked by D1Baseball as the preseason No. 4 second baseman in the nation, while redshirt senior Wassel was tabbed as the preseason No. 6 third baseman in the country. Wassel was also named to the 2021 Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award Watch List.
B1G DOMINANCE
Minnesota continues to dominate the Big Ten as it relates to NCAA Tournament appearances and offensive production. Minnesota's 32 NCAA Tournament Appearances rank first in the conference and are eight more than the next closest school (Michigan). As for the offense, 2020 marked the fourth time in the last five years that the Gophers led the B1G in both hits and total bases (2016, 2017, 2018, 2020). The Gophers are the only team in the B1G in the last 30 years to have led the conference in hitting for three straight seasons and have had more unique players hit .300 (18) than any other team dating back to 2016.
B1G BATS BACK
After leading the Big Ten in hits and total bases again in 2020, Minnesota returns all six of the team's .300 hitters from last season. Raabe (.463), Otto Grimm (.400), Wassel (.364), Andrew Wilhite (.320), Ireland (.303) and Easton Bertrand (.302) all return for the Gophers and figure to receive regular at bats for the team. In total, Minnesota returns seven positional starters from last season, with shortstop being the only position to see turnover.
NEW TO THE U
Minnesota welcomes six new players to the fold for the 2021 campaign, including five freshmen: outfielder/right-handed pitcher Bateman, left-handed pitcher DeLuga, catcher/outfielder Kelly, right-hander pitcher George Klassen and infielder Boston Merila. Redshirt senior left-handed pitcher Tom Skoro also joins the Maroon & Gold after transferring in from Mizzou.
FAMILIAR FACES
Coupled with the newcomers are 31 returners to Minnesota's 2021 dugout, including positional starters at every position but shortstop.
KEY DEPARTURES
In addition to losing third overall pick Max Meyer to the 2020 MLB Draft, Minnesota also bid farewell to redshirt senior Jordan Kozicky (graduation) and junior right-handed pitcher Sam Thoresen (free agent signee) on the heels of last season. Aside from those three players, Minnesota returns their entire 2020 roster.
UP NEXT
Following their three-game series against Michigan State, the Gophers travel to Iowa City for a three-game set against the Hawkeyes from April 9-11. Friday's matchup will air on BTN at 6:30 p.m. CT, while the two games to follow will stream live on BTN+.
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