University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
3-5
Sacramento State
4-6
Wietgrefe Pitches Seven Strong Innings in Win Over Sacramento State
3/2/2024 6:09:00 PM | Baseball
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Junior Connor Wietgrefe (1-0) got the win for Minnesota (3-5) as the southpaw went seven strong innings, giving up one run on five hits, allowing one walk and striking out four on Saturday afternoon.
The Gophers showed their power on offense, hitting two home runs in the 7-4 win over the Sacramento State Hornets (4-6).
Senior Kyle Bork had a big day at the dish, going 2-for-3 with a home run, a walk and two RBI. Sophomore Kris Hokenson provided pop to the Gophers offense, going 1-for-3 with a home run, a walk and three RBI. Junior Brady Counsell also contributed for Minnesota, putting together two hits in five trips to the plate while adding two doubles and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gophers got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Counsell led off the game with a double and was brought around by a pair of ground outs. In the top of the second, Minnesota picked up two runs on Bork's homer, which brought the score to 3-0. After keeping the Hornets at bay, Hokenson stretched the lead for the 'U' to 6-0 with a three-run shot to right field.
The Hornets fought back, closing the gap to 6-2 until Minnesota added some insurance in the ninth. The Gophers sent in a run on Counsell's two-out RBI double, bringing the score to 7-2 in favor of Minnesota. Sacramento State put two runs on the board before the game was over, but the 'U' held on for the 7-4 win.
GAME NOTES
» Bork's home run was his first hit of the season.
» With two doubles today, Counsell now leads the team with five for the season.
» Wietgrefe's 7.0 innings pitched is the longest outing of his career.
» Minnesota went 3-for-10 (.300) with runners in scoring position.
» Sacramento State was led offensively by junior Matt Masciangelo, who went 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Wietgrefe, Connor (1-0)
L: Gibbons (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Counsell, Brady 2
HR: Hokenson, Kris 1 ; Bork, Kyle 1
RBI: Counsell, Brady 1 ; Perry, Jake 1 ; Hokenson, Kris 3 ; Bork, Kyle 2
SH: Berkland, Drew 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Counsell, Brady 1 ; Merila, Boston 1 ; Perry, Jake 1 ; Hokenson, Kris 2 ; Bork, Kyle 2
CS: Neels, Weber 1
HBP: Merila, Boston 1
Batting:
2B: Masciangelo 2 ; Ruiz 1 ; Walton 1
RBI: Masciangelo 3 ; Valero 1
Base Running:
RUNS: White 1 ; Cortez 1 ; Walton 2
CS: Gouldsmith 1
HBP: Cortez 1
PO: Gouldsmith 1
