University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Michigan State
Minnesota Takes Two from Michigan State
4/1/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Game Two Box Score
East Lansing, Mich. - The University of Minnesota swept their second doubleheader in as many weeks with 3-2 and 4-3 victories over Michigan State Saturday to extend their winning streak to eight straight games.
The Gophers improved to 17-8 overall and 5-0 in the conference by winning their second straight Big Ten series. The Maroon and Gold are now in sole possession of first place in the conference.
Game One - Minnesota: 3 Michigan State: 2
Lucas Gilbreath started on the mound for the Gophers and tossed 6.0 innings. The lefty only allowed two earned runs on three hits while striking out eight batters, the second most of his career. With the win, Gilbreath improves to 3-0 this season.
Tyler Hanson came in for 2.0 innings and held the Spartans to two hits and no runs. Hanson led the way for Brian Glowicki who threw the ninth inning. The senior allowed one hit and struck out two batters, including the final out, to pick up his tenth save of the season.
All three of Minnesota's runs came in the top of the fourth inning. The scoring began when Matt Stemper reached on an error with one out. Toby Hanson advanced Stemper to second base with a ground out to second base. Cole McDevitt followed that with a four-pitch walk then Jordan Smith walked to fill the bases for Micah Coffey.
Coffey returned to the lineup with a two-out double to right field, clearing the bases and giving Minnesota the lead. Luke Pettersen would strike out to end the inning.
Game Two - Minnesota: 4 Michigan State: 3
The second game of the day was started by Brett Schulze. The freshman went 5.2 innings where he allowed three earned runs on eight hits. He only walked two batters and struck out three batters in the no decision.
Nick Lackney picked up his second victory of the season after throwing 2.1 innings where he allowed two hits and struck out one batter. Once again Glowicki came in for the ninth inning. This time he did not allow a hit and struck out one batter. The senior now has 11 saves on the season, most in the NCAA.
The Gophers took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Stemper started the scoring again when he led off the inning with a single through the right side. Hanson followed that with a double to right center field, advancing Stemper to third base. With two runners on, Kozicky singled to right field, scoring both Stemper and Hanson.
Jordan Smith followed with a single through the left side and advanced Kozicky to second base but an Estrada strike out and fly outs by Terrrin Vavra and Pettersen ended the inning.
Minnesota added one more run in the fifth inning, beginning with a Vavra single to lead off the inning. Pettersen executed a perfect bunt, pulling the ball down the first base line for a single and advancing Vavra to second base. Two batters later, the runners moved up a base on a wild pitch.
With runners on second and third Coffey hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Vavra. This was Coffey's team leading 17th RBI of the season. Stemper lined out to shortstop to end the top half of the inning.
Michigan State tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning and the game would stay tied 3-3 until the top of the ninth inning. Jordan Smith led off the ninth with a single through the right side but then was out at second on a fielder's choice off of the bat of McDevitt. Vavra then singled to left field and McDevitt advanced to second base.
After a Michigan State pitching change, Pettersen sent a 3-2 pitch up the middle, allowing McDevitt to score the go-ahead run.
Up Next
The Gophers will go for the sweep of the Spartans tomorrow at 12:05 p.m. central time. Keep up to date by following the Gophers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
