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Wednesday, February 23
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Gophers Take on FGCU in Midweek Game
2/22/2022 8:40:00 PM | Baseball
Minnesota swept FGCU in their only meetings in 2015
Wednesday, Feb. 23
Minnesota at Florida Gulf Coast
First Pitch: 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT
Location: Swanson Stadium
Minnesota Starter: RHP Trent Schoeberl (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0 K)
FGCU Starter: LHP Mason Miller (0-1, 5.40 ERA, 3 K)
FORT MYERS, Florida -- The Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-3) are getting set to take on the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (2-2) in their first midweek game of the year on Wednesday, Feb. 23. First pitch from Swanson Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT.
SERIES HISTORY
-Minnesota has played Florida Gulf Coast three times in program history, all during a series in the 2015 season. The Gophers swept the Eagles, winning 3-1, 5-4 and 8-4 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
-Gophers pitching coach Ty McDevitt earned a save in the game on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, by retiring the seven batters he faced, including two strikeouts.
SCOUTING FGCU
-The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles dropped the first two games of their opening series vs. Cincinnati before rebounding for a 10-5 win on Saturday evening and a 16-8 victory, Sunday afternoon. They were potent offensively, scoring 46 runs in the four games, the sixth most in the nation on opening weekend.
-Redshirt-junior Brian Ellis and junior Joe Kinker return to the Eagles after being named All-ASUN a season ago. They were both also named to the Preseason All-ASUN team. Junior Alejandro Rodriguez led the Eagles with a .500 batting average while also adding two doubles and five RBI this past weekend.
OPENING WEEKEND RECAP
-Minnesota started off strong, winning 9-1 on opening day over Florida Atlantic to start the season 1-0. Sam Ireland was strong through 5.0 innings, striking out five and giving up just one earned run. Freshman Seth Clausen and Tom Skoro combined to throw four shutout innings to end the game. The Gophers compiled 12 hits, getting multiple from Drew Stahl and Andrew Wilhite.
-The 'U' fell in the final three contests of the weekend, 8-2, 13-4 and 17-9. Jack Kelly (.625), Easton Bertrand (.500) and Drew Stahl (.500) paced the offense, which clubbed 18 extra-base hits, including 10 doubles and seven home runs.
-15 different pitchers appeared for Minnesota on opening weekend. They combine for a 9.00 ERA in 33.0 innings pitched with 34 strikeouts and 34 earned runs.
JOHN ANDERSON'S 41st SEASON
-John Anderson is in his 41st year at the helm of Gopher Baseball and holds a 1,332-930-3 (.595) overall record. This includes a 598-382 (.610) Big Ten record. Under Anderson's watch, the Gophers have won 11 Big Ten titles and have made the NCAA Tournament 19 times. He's the winningest Big Ten coach in conference history and ranks just outside the top-20 all-time in NCAA history.
PRESEASON ACCOLADES
-Three Gophers were named as 2022 Big Ten 'Players to Watch' heading into the season. Senior catcher Chase Stanke, senior first baseman Ronnie Sweeny and junior right-handed pitcher Sam Ireland all made the list. Stanke ranked second among Gophers in batting average last year while Sweeny led the squad with nine home runs and 30 RBI. Ireland is projected to be the Friday starter in 2022. Sweeny was also named to the 2022 Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award Watch List while Stanke made the Buster Posey Award Watch List.
IRELAND BACK TO WORK
-Junior Friday starter Sam Ireland picked up the first win of his career on Friday night, a 9-1 opening day victory over FAU. He pitched 5.0 innings, striking out five and giving up just one earned run.
-Ireland made it halfway through last season before missing the rest because of injury. His health and continued progression is key for the Gophers, who are happy to have their ace back.
BERTRAND EARNS PRESEASON HONORS IN OUTFIELD - STARTS OUT HOT IN 2022
-Gophers redshirt senior outfielder Easton Bertrand was named as a top-150 (No. 110) outfielder in the country by D1Baseball.com. The Illinois native led Minnesota with a .295 batting average last season while hitting five home runs with 13 RBI.
-He led the Gophers offensive attack on opening weekend, hitting .500 (6-for-12) with a pair of home runs, 6 RBI and six runs scored.
INFIELD COMPETITION PLAYING OUT ON THE FIELD
-Woodbury, Minn., native Ronnie Sweeny had the starting first base spot locked down heading into opening day. The redshirt senior is coming off a breakout 2021 in which he hit a club-best nine home runs and drove in 30 RBI.
-Besides Sweeny however, open competitions were being had in the preseason at second base, shortstop and third base after the departures of Raabe and Wassel.
-Drew Stahl (5-for-10) and Joe Hauser (3-for-6) each started games at shortstop and provided plenty of pop offensively while Boston Merila started all four games at second base at Florida Atlantic. Brady Counsell and Noah Berghammer each appeared in spot duty in the midle infield.
-Redshirt freshman Kyle Bork and redshirt senior Jack Kelly both made starts at third base during opening weekend at FAU.
KEY RETURNERS MIX WITH BEVY OF NEWCOMERS
Minnesota returns 23 players, including position player starters and eight pitchers who appeared in games last year. The 'U' also brought in 15 newcomers, including 10 freshmen, to make up its 37-player roster. Five Division I transfers : Randon Dauman (RHP; Saint Louis), Joe Hauser (SS; Arizona State), Richie Holetz (RHP; Nebraska-Omaha), Aidan Maldonado (RHP; Illinois) and Will Semb (RHP; Iowa) are all expected to contribute immediately to Minnesota's lineup.
TWO NEW COACHING STAFF MEMBERS JOIN THE FOLD
Head coach John Anderson added two new members to the coaching staff this season in Trey Vavra (volunteer assistant) and Tom Windle (student assistant). The older brother of former Gopher and Orioles prospect Terin Vavra, Trey spent the last few seasons coaching at St. Thomas. He helped lead UST to the Division III world series in 2021. Windle pitched for the 'U' from 2010-12 and was a second round pick of the L.A. Dodgers. He's pitched in the minor leagues for the past nine seasons.
CAMBRIA COLLEGE CLASSIC
Minnesota will host the second ever Cambria College Classic from March 4-6 at U.S. Bank Stadium. No. 11 Notre Dame, West Virginia, Kansas, Illinois and Michigan State will come to town for the event. Each Big Ten team will play the Big XII and ACC teams in the three-day event. At the conclusion, a champion will be named in addition to the all-tournament team and MVP.
UP NEXT
Minnesota will play Northeastern at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 25 at 1:05 p.m. ET.
Minnesota at Florida Gulf Coast
First Pitch: 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT
Location: Swanson Stadium
Minnesota Starter: RHP Trent Schoeberl (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0 K)
FGCU Starter: LHP Mason Miller (0-1, 5.40 ERA, 3 K)
FORT MYERS, Florida -- The Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-3) are getting set to take on the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (2-2) in their first midweek game of the year on Wednesday, Feb. 23. First pitch from Swanson Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT.
SERIES HISTORY
-Minnesota has played Florida Gulf Coast three times in program history, all during a series in the 2015 season. The Gophers swept the Eagles, winning 3-1, 5-4 and 8-4 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
-Gophers pitching coach Ty McDevitt earned a save in the game on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, by retiring the seven batters he faced, including two strikeouts.
SCOUTING FGCU
-The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles dropped the first two games of their opening series vs. Cincinnati before rebounding for a 10-5 win on Saturday evening and a 16-8 victory, Sunday afternoon. They were potent offensively, scoring 46 runs in the four games, the sixth most in the nation on opening weekend.
-Redshirt-junior Brian Ellis and junior Joe Kinker return to the Eagles after being named All-ASUN a season ago. They were both also named to the Preseason All-ASUN team. Junior Alejandro Rodriguez led the Eagles with a .500 batting average while also adding two doubles and five RBI this past weekend.
OPENING WEEKEND RECAP
-Minnesota started off strong, winning 9-1 on opening day over Florida Atlantic to start the season 1-0. Sam Ireland was strong through 5.0 innings, striking out five and giving up just one earned run. Freshman Seth Clausen and Tom Skoro combined to throw four shutout innings to end the game. The Gophers compiled 12 hits, getting multiple from Drew Stahl and Andrew Wilhite.
-The 'U' fell in the final three contests of the weekend, 8-2, 13-4 and 17-9. Jack Kelly (.625), Easton Bertrand (.500) and Drew Stahl (.500) paced the offense, which clubbed 18 extra-base hits, including 10 doubles and seven home runs.
-15 different pitchers appeared for Minnesota on opening weekend. They combine for a 9.00 ERA in 33.0 innings pitched with 34 strikeouts and 34 earned runs.
JOHN ANDERSON'S 41st SEASON
-John Anderson is in his 41st year at the helm of Gopher Baseball and holds a 1,332-930-3 (.595) overall record. This includes a 598-382 (.610) Big Ten record. Under Anderson's watch, the Gophers have won 11 Big Ten titles and have made the NCAA Tournament 19 times. He's the winningest Big Ten coach in conference history and ranks just outside the top-20 all-time in NCAA history.
PRESEASON ACCOLADES
-Three Gophers were named as 2022 Big Ten 'Players to Watch' heading into the season. Senior catcher Chase Stanke, senior first baseman Ronnie Sweeny and junior right-handed pitcher Sam Ireland all made the list. Stanke ranked second among Gophers in batting average last year while Sweeny led the squad with nine home runs and 30 RBI. Ireland is projected to be the Friday starter in 2022. Sweeny was also named to the 2022 Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award Watch List while Stanke made the Buster Posey Award Watch List.
IRELAND BACK TO WORK
-Junior Friday starter Sam Ireland picked up the first win of his career on Friday night, a 9-1 opening day victory over FAU. He pitched 5.0 innings, striking out five and giving up just one earned run.
-Ireland made it halfway through last season before missing the rest because of injury. His health and continued progression is key for the Gophers, who are happy to have their ace back.
BERTRAND EARNS PRESEASON HONORS IN OUTFIELD - STARTS OUT HOT IN 2022
-Gophers redshirt senior outfielder Easton Bertrand was named as a top-150 (No. 110) outfielder in the country by D1Baseball.com. The Illinois native led Minnesota with a .295 batting average last season while hitting five home runs with 13 RBI.
-He led the Gophers offensive attack on opening weekend, hitting .500 (6-for-12) with a pair of home runs, 6 RBI and six runs scored.
INFIELD COMPETITION PLAYING OUT ON THE FIELD
-Woodbury, Minn., native Ronnie Sweeny had the starting first base spot locked down heading into opening day. The redshirt senior is coming off a breakout 2021 in which he hit a club-best nine home runs and drove in 30 RBI.
-Besides Sweeny however, open competitions were being had in the preseason at second base, shortstop and third base after the departures of Raabe and Wassel.
-Drew Stahl (5-for-10) and Joe Hauser (3-for-6) each started games at shortstop and provided plenty of pop offensively while Boston Merila started all four games at second base at Florida Atlantic. Brady Counsell and Noah Berghammer each appeared in spot duty in the midle infield.
-Redshirt freshman Kyle Bork and redshirt senior Jack Kelly both made starts at third base during opening weekend at FAU.
KEY RETURNERS MIX WITH BEVY OF NEWCOMERS
Minnesota returns 23 players, including position player starters and eight pitchers who appeared in games last year. The 'U' also brought in 15 newcomers, including 10 freshmen, to make up its 37-player roster. Five Division I transfers : Randon Dauman (RHP; Saint Louis), Joe Hauser (SS; Arizona State), Richie Holetz (RHP; Nebraska-Omaha), Aidan Maldonado (RHP; Illinois) and Will Semb (RHP; Iowa) are all expected to contribute immediately to Minnesota's lineup.
TWO NEW COACHING STAFF MEMBERS JOIN THE FOLD
Head coach John Anderson added two new members to the coaching staff this season in Trey Vavra (volunteer assistant) and Tom Windle (student assistant). The older brother of former Gopher and Orioles prospect Terin Vavra, Trey spent the last few seasons coaching at St. Thomas. He helped lead UST to the Division III world series in 2021. Windle pitched for the 'U' from 2010-12 and was a second round pick of the L.A. Dodgers. He's pitched in the minor leagues for the past nine seasons.
CAMBRIA COLLEGE CLASSIC
Minnesota will host the second ever Cambria College Classic from March 4-6 at U.S. Bank Stadium. No. 11 Notre Dame, West Virginia, Kansas, Illinois and Michigan State will come to town for the event. Each Big Ten team will play the Big XII and ACC teams in the three-day event. At the conclusion, a champion will be named in addition to the all-tournament team and MVP.
UP NEXT
Minnesota will play Northeastern at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 25 at 1:05 p.m. ET.
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