University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
14-30, 0
Michigan
22-22, 0
Minnesota Rallies in Eighth to Knock off Michigan, 4-2
5/6/2023 3:53:00 PM | Baseball
Brady Counsell hit the game-winning two-run double
MINNEAPOLIS --The Minnesota Golden Gophers rallied for four runs in the bottom of the eighth to knock of the Michigan Wolverines, 4-2, on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Gophers (14-30, 7-10 Big Ten) clinch the series victory, their second conference series win this year.
Sophomore Connor Wietgrefe (1-3) got the win out of the bullpen for Minnesota. The southpaw went 2.1 innings, giving up one run on three hits, allowing one walk and striking out two. Sophomore George Klassen started the ballgame and went six innings, surrendering one run on five hits, walking two and striking out four.
In the batter's box, the Golden Gophers were led by sophomore Brady Counsell, who went 1-for-4 on the day with a double and two RBI. Minnesota had three of its four hits on the game come in the eighth inning.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Michigan scored a run in the top of the fourth on an RBI double. They would later add one in the top of the eighth on a solo home run.
Trailing 2-0, Minnesota's offense started clicking and put up four runs in the eighth. Riley Swenson and Brady Jurgella singled with one out to get the rally going. After Brett Bateman walked to load the bases, a Boston Merila walk brought the first run in for the 'U'. Counsell then delivered his two-run double off the left field fence to put his team up for good. An Ike Mezzenga sac fly scored Merila to give the home team some insurance.
The Wolverines loaded the bases with one out in the top of the ninth to make it interesting, however. With the winning run on first, UM grounded into a double play to end the game and secure the Gophers victory.
GAME NOTES
» Klassen put together six innings of one-run ball for the Golden Gophers, picking up a no decision.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 35 Michigan hitters in the game, allowing 13 ground balls and five fly balls while striking out six.
» The Golden Gophers drew five walks from Michigan pitching.
» Counsell led the Golden Gophers at the plate, going 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI.
» Connor Wietgrefe (1-3) picked up his first win as a Gopher.
» Boston Merila extended his on-base streak to 24 games with his bases loaded walk.
» Michigan was led offensively by freshman Greg Pace, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
UP NEXT
The Gophers and Wolverines square off in the series finale tomorrow at 1 p.m. on B1G+.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Wietgrefe, Connor (1-3)
L: Mitch Voit (2-1)
S: Clausen, Seth (4)
Batting:
2B: Mitch Voit 1
HR: Greg Pace Jr 1
RBI: Mitch Voit 1 ; Greg Pace Jr 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Jimmy Obertop 1 ; Greg Pace Jr 1
SB: Cody Jefferis 1
Batting:
2B: Counsell, Brady 1
RBI: Merila, Boston 1 ; Counsell, Brady 2 ; Mezzenga, Ike 1
SF: Mezzenga, Ike 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bateman, Brett 1 ; Merila, Boston 1 ; Hunt, Sam 1 ; Jurgella, Brady 1
