University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
0-8
Milwaukee
5-2
Minnesota Shutout by Milwaukee in Home Opener
3/1/2023 8:36:00 PM | Baseball
Bateman and Mezzenga had two hits each
MINNEAPOLIS -- Four pitchers combined to throw a shutout on Wednesday as the Milwaukee Panthers blanked the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 3-0, in their home opener at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Senior Ben Shepard (0-1) started and took the loss on the mound for Minnesota (0-8). The right-hander went four innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on three hits. Sophomore Joe Hauser was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going three shutout innings without allowing a hit, walking none and striking out two.
At the plate, the Golden Gophers were led by junior Brett Bateman, who went 2-for-2 on the day with two walks. Junior Ike Mezzenga put together a noteworthy performance as well, going 2-for-4.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Minnesota had its chances, but went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position on the evening. The Golden Gophers loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth, but a Drew Berkland ground out to shortstop ended the game.
Milwaukee pieced together run-scoring frames in the first, third and eighth innings. Their first two runs came on RBI groundouts while a sacrifice fly scored the final run in the eighth inning.
Junior pitcher Nick Gilhaus (1-0) took the win after going 6.2 innings with seven strikeouts, allowing just five hits.
GAME NOTES
» The Golden Gophers out-hit the Panthers at a 6-5 clip.
» Minnesota pitchers limited Milwaukee to 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 34 Milwaukee hitters in the game, allowing 14 ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out four.
» The Golden Gophers drew five walks from Milwaukee pitching.
» Bateman led the Golden Gophers at the plate, going 2-for-2.
» Milwaukee was led offensively by sophomore Justin Hausser, who went 1-for-3 with a double.
UP NEXT
Minnesota will take on Hawaii on Friday, March 3 at 7 p.m. in the Cambria College Classic. They play defending national champion Ole Miss on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Vanderbilt on Sunday at 6 p.m., all at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Gilhaus, Nick (1-0)
L: Shepard, Ben (0-1)
S: DeYoung, Nate (3)
Batting:
2B: Hausser, Justin 1
RBI: Cline, Marcus 2 ; Connelly, Mark 1
SF: Cline, Marcus 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Seidel, Luke 1 ; Benson, Tommy 1 ; Olejnik, Ty 1
SB: Seidel, Luke 2
Base Running:
SB: Bateman, Brett 1
CS: Bateman, Brett 1
