University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Florida Atlantic
Gophers Open 2022 with 9-1 Win at FAU
2/18/2022 8:50:00 PM | Baseball
Drew Stahl led the 'U' with two hits and three RBI
BOCA RATON, Florida -- The Minnesota Golden Gophers Baseball program opened the 2022 season with a 9-1 win against the Florida Atlantic Owls on Friday night in Boca Raton, Fla.
The Gophers (1-0) compiled 12 hits, including five doubles and a home run in an impressive season-opening performance. Junior shortstop Drew Stahl led the 'U' at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three RBI and a walk. Senior left fielder Andrew Wilhite went 2-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and a walk to help pace the offensive attack.
Junior right-hander Sam Ireland (1-0) got the start and performed admirably, tossing 5.0 innings with five strikeouts while allowing just one run and two hits. He threw three consecutive shutout innings and struck out three in his final three innings of work.
The Minnesota offense jumped out to a quick start in the first inning, getting consecutive doubles to left center from Brett Bateman and Andrew Wilhite to take an early 1-0 lead. FAU would even up the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the second with a two-out, RBI single.
The Gophers would respond immediately in the top of the third as senior catcher Chase Stanke unloaded on a fastball that easily cleared the left field fence for the first home run of the year for the 'U'. Minnesota tacked on three more runs in the inning after getting RBI singles from Jack Kelly and Drew Stahl and a sacrifice fly from Easton Bertrand. After 2.5, the Gophers took a 5-1 lead.𝐒𝐄𝐄𝐄𝐄 𝐘𝐀𝐀𝐀 ⚾@ChaseStanke goes opposite field for Minnesota's first home run of the season!#Gophers take a 2-1 lead in the third. pic.twitter.com/tlxsviJ0OU
— Minnesota Baseball (@GopherBaseball) February 19, 2022
Minnesota would add to its lead in the top of the fifth inning with three more runs. Jack Kelly started the inning with an infield single before Easton Bertrand doubled into the left field corner. Stahl drove both of them in with a two-run double down the right field line before scoring himself on the second double of the game from Wilhite. Minnesota took an 8-1 lead into the bottom of the fifth. The Gophers would tack on one more run in the top of the seventh on a fielding error by FAU.
Ireland was replaced in the sixth inning by true freshman Seth Clausen, who tossed 3.0 innings, allowing no runs, three hits and striking out two in his Minnesota debut. Redshirt senior Tom Skoro finished the game on the mound for Minnesota, striking out one to seal the 9-1 win.Have a 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 @drew_stahl16!
— Minnesota Baseball (@GopherBaseball) February 19, 2022
The junior is 2-for-2 with 3 RBI and a walk after this two-run double down the right field line.
Minnesota takes a 7-1 lead in the top of the fifth. pic.twitter.com/BODJYE7dRH
NEXT UP:
Minnesota and FAU play again tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT. Redshirt junior right-hander Aidan Maldonado will take the ball for Minnesota in his first start as a Gopher since transferring from Illinois.
