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Photo by: Matt Krohn
‘U’ Readies for Two Mid-week Games with UST
4/22/2024 2:15:00 PM | Baseball
Tuesday, April 23
Minnesota vs. St. Thomas
First Pitch: 6:00 p.m. CT
Location: Siebert Field
Gophers Starter: RHP Nick Argento (0-1, 2.35 ERA, 7.2 IP, 7 K)
Tommies Starter: RHP Walker Retz (2-2, 6.94 ERA, 36.1 IP, 32 K)
TV: Big Ten+
Wednesday, April 24
Minnesota vs. St. Thomas
First Pitch: 6:00 p.m. CT
Location: Siebert Field
Gophers Starter: RHP Sam Kennedy (2-0, 1.23 ERA, 7.1 IP, 10 K)
Tommies Starter: TBD
TV: Big Ten+
MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota Golden Gophers (16-18, 4-8 B1G) will take on the St. Thomas Tommies (14-16, 9-5 Summit) twice this week at Siebert Field.
Both Tuesday and Wednesday, games will begin at 6:00 p.m. Fans can watch the crosstown clash on Big Ten+ and follow along with live stats on GopherSports.com.
Last Time Out
-The Gophers struggled to score runs on Saturday afternoon in a 7-1 loss to Indiana. Their lone run came on a solo home run by Drew Berkland, the first of his career.
-Connor Wietgrefe pitched a complete game as the 'U' run-ruled the Hoosiers 13-2 in game one of a doubleheader on Sunday. Weber Neels slugged two home runs in the game for the second time in his career. Jake Perry and Sam Hunt each collected multiple hits in the seven-inning victory.
-Despite a three RBI performance from Josh Fitzgerald and a pair from Brady Counsell, Minnesota dropped the series finale 18-8. Ike Mezzenga also collected three hits in the loss.
Scouting the Tommies
-St. Thomas is coming off of a series loss to South Dakota State last weekend in Brookings. For the season, the Tommies are 14-16 and 9-5 in Summit League play.
-Freshman Matthew Maulik paces the Tommies offense. He is slashing .385/.447/.547 with 32 RBIs for the season. He has struck out just 11 times fo r the year while slugging a team-high four home runs.
-Walker Retz will get the nod on Tuesday for the Tommies. For the season, he is 2-2 with a 6.94 ERA in eight appearances.
-Jacob Mrosko leads the UST pitching staff with a 3-3 record, 3.91 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 46.0 innings pitched.
Opponent Series History
-Minnesota and St. Thomas have faced each other five times since the Tommies made the jump to Division I in 2021.
The Gophers lead the overall series 4-1. Minnesota won their last meeting 9-4 in 2023 at Siebert Field behind a four-RBI performance from Brady Counsell.
-The Tommies' one and only win came on April 19, 2022 when they shut out the Gophers 6-0 in the third of four match ups that season.
Wietgrefe's World
-Junior LHP Connor Wietgrefe became the first Gopher since 2008 to pitch a seven-inning complete game on Sunday in what was his sixth quality start of the season.
-The Prior Lake, Minn. native pitched a seven-inning complete game, allowing two runs with just one walk and seven strikeouts. It was his fifth win of the season and third in three starts in April.
-In three starts in the month of April, Wietgrefe has pitched 19.2 innings, allowing just four runs. He has struck out 17 batters and has a 1.83 ERA while picking up three wins.
-The southpaw currently ranks fourth in the Big Ten in ERA (3.30), tied for third in wins (5), fifth in innings (57.1) and seventh in strikeouts (53). He is one of just seven pitchers to have a complete game in the Big Ten this season.
Neels by the Numbers
-Sophomore Weber Neels has picked up where he left off after a stellar freshman season.
-Neels leads the team in RBIs (30). He is second in average (.317), on base percentage (.434), doubles (9), walks (120) and is third in hits (39). He is also slugging .512 with five home runs for the season.
-Splitting time at catcher and first base, Neels is one of three players that has played all 34 games this season and leads the team with 266 putouts.
Consistency in Counsell
-Counsell has been a consistent bright spot in the Gophers lineup. He ranks in the top five in all offenseive categories including leading the team in home runs (9), runs (34), hits (42), total bases (78), walks (21) and stolen bases (15).
-A Milwaukee, Wis. native, Counsell is slashing .300/.400/.557. He has 42 hits, including nine doubles, and 25 RBIs. He has picked it up in April, slashing .381/.458/.738 with 13 RBIs, 12 runs scored and four home runs in 11 games this month.
-Counsell leads the team with 88 assists, playing all 34 games at second base.
Fitzgerald's Breakout Season
-After missing all of the 2023 season due to injury, redshirt junior Josh Fitzgerald has made his impact known in 2024.
-The Mason City, Iowa native is leading the team in average (.325), slugging percentage (.614) and on base percentage (.442). He is third in home runs (6), fourth in RBIs (22) and fifth in doubles (6) despite missing six games.
-Fitzgerald has also made a number of highlight reel plays in the outfield. He has spent time in right field before earning his spot as the regular center fielder in April.
Newcomers Making an Impact
-Kyle Remington has been a staple out of the Gophers' bullpen. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Mar. 11. He continued his freshman season by working 2.1 innings of relief against Indiana. He allowed one run on three hits with two strikeouts.
-Tyler Hemmesch has pitched 20.2 innings in nine appearances for the Gophers in his rookie season. He's tallied 18 strikeouts with a 2.18 ERA and is holding opponents to .171 average off him. His impressive season continued against Indiana after he went 4.0 solid innings of two-hit, zero run ball with two strikeouts and one walk.
-Charlie Sutherland has appeared in 22 games this season with six starts. He has emerged as one of the Gophers' go-to hitters off the bench. For the season, he is slashing .263/.404/.421 with a home run, three doubles, six RBIs and six runs scored.
-Senior transfer Justin Thorsteinson has provided the Gophers a trustworthy arm in the back end of the bullpen. In 27.1 innings, he has a 3.29 ERA and 27 punch outs.
-Freshman Jack Spanier has seen an increase in playing time after flashing the leather at shortstop. In 17 games played, he has recorded 16 putouts and 34 assists. Spanier has also picked up seven hits, scored 10 runs and stole three bases since seeing more regular action.
What's on Deck
The Maroon and Gold will hit the road this weekend to take on Penn State for three games in State College.
Minnesota vs. St. Thomas
First Pitch: 6:00 p.m. CT
Location: Siebert Field
Gophers Starter: RHP Nick Argento (0-1, 2.35 ERA, 7.2 IP, 7 K)
Tommies Starter: RHP Walker Retz (2-2, 6.94 ERA, 36.1 IP, 32 K)
TV: Big Ten+
Wednesday, April 24
Minnesota vs. St. Thomas
First Pitch: 6:00 p.m. CT
Location: Siebert Field
Gophers Starter: RHP Sam Kennedy (2-0, 1.23 ERA, 7.1 IP, 10 K)
Tommies Starter: TBD
TV: Big Ten+
MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota Golden Gophers (16-18, 4-8 B1G) will take on the St. Thomas Tommies (14-16, 9-5 Summit) twice this week at Siebert Field.
Both Tuesday and Wednesday, games will begin at 6:00 p.m. Fans can watch the crosstown clash on Big Ten+ and follow along with live stats on GopherSports.com.
Last Time Out
-The Gophers struggled to score runs on Saturday afternoon in a 7-1 loss to Indiana. Their lone run came on a solo home run by Drew Berkland, the first of his career.
-Connor Wietgrefe pitched a complete game as the 'U' run-ruled the Hoosiers 13-2 in game one of a doubleheader on Sunday. Weber Neels slugged two home runs in the game for the second time in his career. Jake Perry and Sam Hunt each collected multiple hits in the seven-inning victory.
-Despite a three RBI performance from Josh Fitzgerald and a pair from Brady Counsell, Minnesota dropped the series finale 18-8. Ike Mezzenga also collected three hits in the loss.
Scouting the Tommies
-St. Thomas is coming off of a series loss to South Dakota State last weekend in Brookings. For the season, the Tommies are 14-16 and 9-5 in Summit League play.
-Freshman Matthew Maulik paces the Tommies offense. He is slashing .385/.447/.547 with 32 RBIs for the season. He has struck out just 11 times fo r the year while slugging a team-high four home runs.
-Walker Retz will get the nod on Tuesday for the Tommies. For the season, he is 2-2 with a 6.94 ERA in eight appearances.
-Jacob Mrosko leads the UST pitching staff with a 3-3 record, 3.91 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 46.0 innings pitched.
Opponent Series History
-Minnesota and St. Thomas have faced each other five times since the Tommies made the jump to Division I in 2021.
The Gophers lead the overall series 4-1. Minnesota won their last meeting 9-4 in 2023 at Siebert Field behind a four-RBI performance from Brady Counsell.
-The Tommies' one and only win came on April 19, 2022 when they shut out the Gophers 6-0 in the third of four match ups that season.
Wietgrefe's World
-Junior LHP Connor Wietgrefe became the first Gopher since 2008 to pitch a seven-inning complete game on Sunday in what was his sixth quality start of the season.
-The Prior Lake, Minn. native pitched a seven-inning complete game, allowing two runs with just one walk and seven strikeouts. It was his fifth win of the season and third in three starts in April.
-In three starts in the month of April, Wietgrefe has pitched 19.2 innings, allowing just four runs. He has struck out 17 batters and has a 1.83 ERA while picking up three wins.
-The southpaw currently ranks fourth in the Big Ten in ERA (3.30), tied for third in wins (5), fifth in innings (57.1) and seventh in strikeouts (53). He is one of just seven pitchers to have a complete game in the Big Ten this season.
Neels by the Numbers
-Sophomore Weber Neels has picked up where he left off after a stellar freshman season.
-Neels leads the team in RBIs (30). He is second in average (.317), on base percentage (.434), doubles (9), walks (120) and is third in hits (39). He is also slugging .512 with five home runs for the season.
-Splitting time at catcher and first base, Neels is one of three players that has played all 34 games this season and leads the team with 266 putouts.
Consistency in Counsell
-Counsell has been a consistent bright spot in the Gophers lineup. He ranks in the top five in all offenseive categories including leading the team in home runs (9), runs (34), hits (42), total bases (78), walks (21) and stolen bases (15).
-A Milwaukee, Wis. native, Counsell is slashing .300/.400/.557. He has 42 hits, including nine doubles, and 25 RBIs. He has picked it up in April, slashing .381/.458/.738 with 13 RBIs, 12 runs scored and four home runs in 11 games this month.
-Counsell leads the team with 88 assists, playing all 34 games at second base.
Fitzgerald's Breakout Season
-After missing all of the 2023 season due to injury, redshirt junior Josh Fitzgerald has made his impact known in 2024.
-The Mason City, Iowa native is leading the team in average (.325), slugging percentage (.614) and on base percentage (.442). He is third in home runs (6), fourth in RBIs (22) and fifth in doubles (6) despite missing six games.
-Fitzgerald has also made a number of highlight reel plays in the outfield. He has spent time in right field before earning his spot as the regular center fielder in April.
Newcomers Making an Impact
-Kyle Remington has been a staple out of the Gophers' bullpen. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Mar. 11. He continued his freshman season by working 2.1 innings of relief against Indiana. He allowed one run on three hits with two strikeouts.
-Tyler Hemmesch has pitched 20.2 innings in nine appearances for the Gophers in his rookie season. He's tallied 18 strikeouts with a 2.18 ERA and is holding opponents to .171 average off him. His impressive season continued against Indiana after he went 4.0 solid innings of two-hit, zero run ball with two strikeouts and one walk.
-Charlie Sutherland has appeared in 22 games this season with six starts. He has emerged as one of the Gophers' go-to hitters off the bench. For the season, he is slashing .263/.404/.421 with a home run, three doubles, six RBIs and six runs scored.
-Senior transfer Justin Thorsteinson has provided the Gophers a trustworthy arm in the back end of the bullpen. In 27.1 innings, he has a 3.29 ERA and 27 punch outs.
-Freshman Jack Spanier has seen an increase in playing time after flashing the leather at shortstop. In 17 games played, he has recorded 16 putouts and 34 assists. Spanier has also picked up seven hits, scored 10 runs and stole three bases since seeing more regular action.
What's on Deck
The Maroon and Gold will hit the road this weekend to take on Penn State for three games in State College.
Highlights: Gophers 10, Kansas 3
Saturday, February 28
Highlights: Gophers 12, Kansas 5
Friday, February 27
Highlights: Gophers 7, Kansas 8
Wednesday, February 25
Cinematic Recap: Gophers Sweep Northeastern
Wednesday, February 25