Minnesota Rallies For Five in Ninth to Steal Win at Nebraska

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LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Minnesota Golden Gophers responded from a 5-4 deficit in the ninth inning to win in exciting fashion, tallying five runs in the final inning to secure a 9-7 victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers Friday.

Sophomore Noah Rooney (3-0) got the win out of the bullpen for Minnesota (12-28, 5-8 Big Ten). The left-hander went 3.1 innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on four hits, allowing four walks and striking out four. Left-hander Tucker Novotny let up five runs in 5.1 innings to start the game, striking out seven Huskers. Seth Clausen (3) closed the game with a strikeout in the bottom of the ninth.

In the batter's box, the Golden Gophers were paced by freshman Kris Hokenson, who went 2-for-4 on the day with a three-run double that proved to be the game-winning hit. Junior Kyle Bork put together a standout day at the dish as well, going 1-for-4 with a home run, a walk and an RBI. Junior Boston Merila also chipped in for Minnesota, putting together three hits in four trips to the plate while adding a double and a walk.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Gophers got on the board immediately, starting in the top of the first inning. Minnesota pushed across two runs in the frame, the big blow coming on an RBI double from sophomore Ike Mezzenga.

The Cornhuskers then gained ground, narrowing the lead to 2-1 until the Golden Gophers expanded their advantage in the second. Minnesota picked up two runs, including one on a solo homer off the bat of Bork, which brought the Golden Gophers lead to 4-1.

Nebraska took a 5-4 advantage after a three-run home run tied it in the third and an RBI single gave the hosts the lead in the sixth.

The Golden Gophers were held scoreless in the third through eighth innings before scoring five runs, including a three-run double off the bat of Hokenson, to take a 9-5 lead. Nebraska put two runs on the scoreboard with a bases loaded two-run single to cut the deficit to two at 9-7. Clausen entered the ballgame with two outs and men on first and third, striking out the final hitter of the game on three straight breaking balls.

GAME NOTES
» Minnesota got three-hit games from both junior Brett Bateman and Merila. They each have four three-hit games on the season.
» Merila holds a 20-game on-base streak, the longest of any Gopher on the season.
» Sophomore Tucker Novotny struck out seven Cornhuskers hitters in the no-decision.
» The Minnesota pitching staff combined to strike out 12 Nebraska hitters.
» Minnesota's highest scoring inning was the ninth, when it pushed five runs across.
» Four Golden Gophers had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Golden Gophers out-hit the Cornhuskers at a 14-10 clip.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 46 Nebraska hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out 12.
» The Golden Gophers drew six walks from Nebraska pitching.
» Hokenson led the Golden Gophers at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI.
» Nebraska was led offensively by sophomore Gabe Swansen, who went 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBI.

UP NEXT
Minnesota and Nebraska play again tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Haymarket Park. B1G+ will have streaming rights.

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