Game One with Northwestern Ends in Heartbreak for Minnesota

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Oct 15

3:00 PM

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Oct 16

3:00 PM

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5:00 PM

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EVANSTON, Ill. -- The Minnesota Golden Gophers took a 4-3 lead into the eighth inning, but could not hang on and fell 7-6 to the Northwestern Wildcats on Thursday in a crucial game as the team battles for a spot in the Big Ten Tournament.

Connor Wietgrefe (7-4) took the loss on the mound for Minnesota (23-23, 9-13 Big Ten).

HOW IT HAPPENED
After inclement weather delayed the start of the game by 30 minutes, Brady Counsell got on base with a walk in the top of the first. After Jake Perry was retired, the skies opened once again, leading to another delay just seven pitches into the game. Roughly 45 minutes later, play resumed and Minnesota got an RBI single from Josh Fitzgerald to open the scoring.

Will Semb held the Wildcats scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning on an RBI single off the bat of Counsell.

Minnesota's lead had disappeared in the bottom of the fourth and turned into a 3-2 Northwestern advantage. However, the Gophers responded with a two-run home run by Sam Hunt to regain the lead in the top of the sixth.

With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Northwestern hit their third home run of the game to take a 5-3 lead heading into the final inning. With their backs against the wall, the Gophers sent pinch-hitter Charlie Sutherland to the plate to lead off the ninth. Sutherland drew a walk and was pinch ran for before Counsell advanced the runner to second with a sac bunt. Jake Perry then grounded out, advancing Tristan Ellis to third base. With two outs, Weber Neels stepped to the plate and slugged a two-RBI home run to give the Gophers the lead.

Despite being the probable Saturday starter, Minnesota brought in Wietgrefe to close out the game. After the lead-off batter reached on a hit by pitch, Northwestern bunted to advance the runner, but both were safe on an error. With runners at the corners and no outs, Wietgrefe struck out the next batter. The Wildcats then played small ball once again with a bunt. The Gophers fielded the bunt, but two runners scored on an errant throw to end the game.

GAME NOTES
» The Gophers got three-hit games from both Fitzgerald and sophomore Drew Berkland.
» Every Gophers starter reached base safely.
» Counsell extended his on-base streak to 21 games.
» The Gophers out-hit the Wildcats at a 12-7 clip.
» Minnesota went 4-for-10 (.400) with runners in scoring position.

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