University of Minnesota Athletics
Sunday, May 12
Minneapolis, MN
1:00 PM
University of Minnesota
15
vs
12
Michigan State
Players Mentioned
OF/C
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
IF/OF
/ Baseball
INF/OF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
Photo by: Brad Rempel
'U' Rallies from Double-Digit Deficit to Walk-Off Spartans
5/12/2024 7:27:00 PM | Baseball
MINNEAPOLIS – Drew Berkland capped off a five-run ninth inning with a walk-off home run to lead the University of Minnesota baseball team past the Michigan State Spartans on Sunday, 15-12.
The Gophers overcame a 10-run deficit by scoring 13 unanswered runs over the final four innings to secure the series victory on Senior Day.
Berkland went 3-for-4 with three RBI on the day after entering the game in the fourth inning. Ike Mezzenga had a big day at the plate, mashing two home runs with four RBI in a 3-for-5 day. Jake Perry collected his second four-hit performance of the season, including a double, home run and two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After falling behind, 1-0, in the second inning, Sam Hunt answered with a two-RBI double in the bottom half to take a 2-1 lead.
Michigan State responded in a big way, scoring 11 runs over the next four innings to take a 12-2 lead into the sixth. The Gophers got back on the board in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI fielder's choice by Brady Counsell that scored Boston Merila. Mezzenga then hit his first homer of the day in the bottom of the seventh to make it 12-4 in favor of the Spartans.
Counsell led off the bottom of the eighth with a walk before Perry launched his seventh home run of the season to cut further into the Spartans lead. Neels and Fitzgerald followed with walks of their own, bringing Mezzenga to the plate. He smashed his second homer of the day to make it 12-9, Michigan State. Charlie Sutherland tacked on one more run for the 'U' before the inning was over with an RBI single.
Down 12-10 in the bottom of the ninth, Perry led off the inning with a double. Fitzgerald drove him in two batters later to make it 12-11. After a Mezzenga single, Merila grounded out to second, but scored Fitzgerald to tie the ballgame.
Sam Hunt stepped to the plate and was intentionally walked after getting ahead in the count to bring up Drew Berkland. Despite falling 0-2 in the count, Berkland stayed patient at the plate and launched his fourth home run of the season to give the Gophers a 15-12 victory.
GAME NOTES
» The Gophers won on a walk-off home run for the first time since April 9, 2019.
» For the second time this season, Mezzenga hit two home runs in one game.
» Perry compiled four hits on the day for the second time this year.
» For the third time this season, the Gophers won after trailing by five or more.
» Every Minnesota starter reached base safely in the win.
» Minnesota hitters hit four homers in the ballgame for the first time since May 12, 2023
» Minnesota went 6-for-15 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
» The game marked head coach John Anderson's final game at Siebert Field.
» Kyle Bork, Noah DeLuga, Thomas Gross, Brady Jurgella, Boston Merila, Ike Mezzenga and Justin Thorsteinson were honored in a post-game Senior Day ceremony.
The Gophers overcame a 10-run deficit by scoring 13 unanswered runs over the final four innings to secure the series victory on Senior Day.
Berkland went 3-for-4 with three RBI on the day after entering the game in the fourth inning. Ike Mezzenga had a big day at the plate, mashing two home runs with four RBI in a 3-for-5 day. Jake Perry collected his second four-hit performance of the season, including a double, home run and two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After falling behind, 1-0, in the second inning, Sam Hunt answered with a two-RBI double in the bottom half to take a 2-1 lead.
Michigan State responded in a big way, scoring 11 runs over the next four innings to take a 12-2 lead into the sixth. The Gophers got back on the board in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI fielder's choice by Brady Counsell that scored Boston Merila. Mezzenga then hit his first homer of the day in the bottom of the seventh to make it 12-4 in favor of the Spartans.
Counsell led off the bottom of the eighth with a walk before Perry launched his seventh home run of the season to cut further into the Spartans lead. Neels and Fitzgerald followed with walks of their own, bringing Mezzenga to the plate. He smashed his second homer of the day to make it 12-9, Michigan State. Charlie Sutherland tacked on one more run for the 'U' before the inning was over with an RBI single.
Down 12-10 in the bottom of the ninth, Perry led off the inning with a double. Fitzgerald drove him in two batters later to make it 12-11. After a Mezzenga single, Merila grounded out to second, but scored Fitzgerald to tie the ballgame.
Sam Hunt stepped to the plate and was intentionally walked after getting ahead in the count to bring up Drew Berkland. Despite falling 0-2 in the count, Berkland stayed patient at the plate and launched his fourth home run of the season to give the Gophers a 15-12 victory.
GAME NOTES
» The Gophers won on a walk-off home run for the first time since April 9, 2019.
» For the second time this season, Mezzenga hit two home runs in one game.
» Perry compiled four hits on the day for the second time this year.
» For the third time this season, the Gophers won after trailing by five or more.
» Every Minnesota starter reached base safely in the win.
» Minnesota hitters hit four homers in the ballgame for the first time since May 12, 2023
» Minnesota went 6-for-15 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
» The game marked head coach John Anderson's final game at Siebert Field.
» Kyle Bork, Noah DeLuga, Thomas Gross, Brady Jurgella, Boston Merila, Ike Mezzenga and Justin Thorsteinson were honored in a post-game Senior Day ceremony.
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