University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
0-1
UC Santa Barbara
1-0
Gophers Come Up Short Versus No. 14 Gauchos
2/17/2023 10:18:00 PM | Baseball
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- An explosive offensive output was not enough for Minnesota on Friday. The Golden Gophers plated seven runs, but could not hold the No. 14 UCSB Gauchos at bay, and were defeated 9-7.
Junior Boston Merila led the way offensively for the Golden Gophers, going 2-for-5 in the ballgame with a double and three RBI. Sophomore Brady Counsell put together a noteworthy effort as well, going 1-for-3 with a double, two walks and an RBI. Sophomore Jake Larson also contributed, going 1-for-2 for Minnesota with a triple and an RBI.
Senior Randon Dauman (0-1) came out of the bullpen for Minnesota (0-1) and took the loss.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Gophers got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. Merila came across to score the lone run of the inning for Minnesota and get them on the board.
The Gauchos then rallied to score six runs and take a 6-1 lead before the Golden Gophers got back on the board in the sixth. Freshman Kris Hokenson came across to score the lone run of the inning for Minnesota after doubling to left for his first collegiate hit, which tightened the Gauchos lead to 6-2.
Minnesota held the Gauchos off the board before rallying to grab a 7-6 lead in the seventh. The Golden Gophers bats heated up in the inning, scoring five runs, including a three-run double off the bat of Merila. The Golden Gophers were unable to hold the lead, as UCSB scored three times over the remaining two innings to grab the 9-7 win.
GAME NOTES
» Minnesota's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed five runs across.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 43 UCSB hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out six.
» The Golden Gophers drew four walks from UCSB pitching.
» Merila led the Golden Gophers at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a double and three RBI.
» UCSB was led offensively by junior Nick Oakley, who went 2-for-3 with a double, a triple and four RBI.
» Junior Mike Gutierrez led the Gauchos pitching staff, throwing five innings of two-run ball.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Brady Huddlestun (1-0)
L: Dauman, Randon (0-1)
S: Hudson Barrett (1)
Batting:
2B: Merila, Boston 1 ; Counsell, Brady 1 ; Hokenson, Kris 1
3B: Larson, Jake 1
RBI: Merila, Boston 3 ; Counsell, Brady 1 ; Perry, Jake 1 ; Larson, Jake 1 ; Bork, Kyle 1
SF: Perry, Jake 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bateman, Brett 1 ; Merila, Boston 1 ; Swenson, Riley 1 ; Larson, Jake 1 ; Neels, Weber 1 ; Hokenson, Kris 2
SB: Bateman, Brett 1 ; Counsell, Brady 1
HBP: Bateman, Brett 1
PO: Mezzenga, Ike 1
Batting:
2B: Ivan Brethowr 1 ; Nick Oakley 1
3B: Nick Oakley 1
HR: Ivan Brethowr 1
RBI: Ivan Brethowr 2 ; Jonah Sebring 1 ; Nick Oakley 4 ; Corey Nunez 1
SH: John Newman, Jr. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Zander Darby 2 ; Ivan Brethowr 3 ; LeTrey McCollum 2 ; Jonah Sebring 1 ; Nick Oakley 1
