University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Houston
Houston Completes Sweep of Gophers with 5-2 Decision
3/19/2023 3:10:00 PM | Baseball
Jake Perry hit his second home run of the season
MINNEAPOLIS --The Minnesota Golden Gophers fell in the series finale on Sunday to the Houston Cougars, 5-2. UH took the sweep, winning game one, 3-2, and game two, 4-2.
Senior Richie Holetz (0-2) got the ball to start for Minnesota (3-18) and took the loss despite tossing six innings, giving up three runs (all unearned) on seven hits, allowing two walks and striking out seven (season-best).
Sophomore Jake Perry led the way offensively for the Golden Gophers, going 2-for-4 in the ballgame with a home run and an RBI. Sophomore Jake Larson provided a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and an RBI. Junior Brady Jurgella also helped out, going 2-for-4 for Minnesota.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Gophers got on the board immediately, starting in the bottom of the first inning when Perry put Minnesota on the board with a solo home run to dead center.
Houston responded by scoring three of its runs in the third, capitalizing off a throwing error by the Gophers, followed by a two-run single that put the visitors up 3-1.
Minnesota pushed across a run in the seventh inning on Jake Larson's RBI double into the right field corner, which made the score 3-2. Houston would add two more runs in the eighth on a sacrifice fly and a solo home run, going up 5-2. Minnesota was unable to get any closer, falling 5-2.
GAME NOTES
» Richie Holetz tied his season-best by throwing 6.0 innings and set a new season-best with seven strikeouts.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 35 Houston hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out eight.
» Perry led the Golden Gophers at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run (2) and an RBI.
» Houston was led offensively by junior Alex Lopez, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI.
» Junior Justin Murray led the Cougars pitching staff, throwing one scoreless inning.
UP NEXT
Minnesota (3-18, 0-0 Big Ten) heads to Illinois State (6-8, 0-0 MVC) for games on Tuesday (5 p.m. CT) and Wednesday (1 p.m.). Both games will be streamed on ESPN+.
