University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Northeastern
Larson, Jurgella Homer in 8-7 Loss to Northeastern
2/24/2024 2:54:00 PM | Baseball
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Junior Jake Larson and senior Brady Jurgella each hit home runs, but the Minnesota Golden Gophers fell to the Northeastern Huskies 8-7 on Saturday.
Freshman Kyle Remington (0-1) came out of the bullpen for Minnesota (2-3) and took the loss. Junior Will Semb started on the mound for the Golden Gophers, throwing 4.2 innings, giving up four runs, zero earned, on one hit, with five walks and five strikeouts.
Brady Counsell's two extra base hits were the highlight of a 2-for-5 day, and included two doubles. Kris Hokenson made his contribution with two doubles and an RBI, part of a 2-for-3 performance at the plate. Junior Jake Larson also contributed for the Golden Gophers, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding a home run and two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Gophers got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Minnesota scored three runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-run homer from Larson over the Green Monster at Jet Blue Park.
After surrendering a run in the bottom of the third, Jurgella launched a home run that traveled over 410 feet to deep center field to bring the Gophers' lead back to three.
Minnesota's lead had evaporated once the seventh inning arrived and turned into a 5-4 Northeastern advantage. Boston Merila drove in a run with an RBI single in the top of the seventh to even the game back up. After Northeastern gained the lead again in the bottom of the seventh, Josh Fitzgerald stepped in as a pinch hitter, tying the game with a two-out RBI double at 6-6.
Northeastern then broke that tie and took an 8-6 lead heading into the ninth, when the Golden Gophers narrowed the gap to 8-7. Minnesota scored once on an RBI single off the bat of sophomore Weber Neels. The ballgame ended with that ninth inning rally falling short.
UP NEXT
The Gophers will face off against the Northeastern Huskies tomorrow afternoon to complete the two-game series. The game is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT/1:00 p.m. ET at Hammond Stadium.
GAME NOTES
» Minnesota got multiple extra-base hits from both Hokenson and Counsell.
» The Gophers out-hit the Huskies at a 12-8 clip.
» Minnesota went 5-for-15 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Counsell, Merila, Jake Perry, Weber Neels and Ike Mezzenga have all reached base safely in the first five games.
» Northeastern was led offensively by senior Tyler MacGregor, who went 3-for-5 with a triple and an RBI.
