University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Long Beach State
Minnesota Takes Down No. 10 Long Beach State
5/13/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Minneapolis, Minn. ââ'¬" The University of Minnesota completed its second 30-win season in as many years with a 12-6 victory over No. 10 Long Beach State Saturday.
The Gophers are now 30-16 overall after defeating a top ten team for the first time since May 15, 2014 when they beat No. 8 Indiana.
After Long Beach State scored three runs in the top of the third inning, Minnesota answered back with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Matt Stemper led off the inning with a double down the left field line then advanced to third base on ground out by Eduardo Estrada, Jr. Luke Pettersen drove in Stemper with a single to the second baseman before he picked up his first steal of the season. Jordan Kozicky walked to put runners on first and second for Terrin Vavra. The sophomore shortstop hit a double off of the first base bag that scored both runners to tie the game 3-3.
The Maroon and Gold offense exploded for nine runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Back-to-back singles by Toby Hanson and Jordan Smith put runners on the corners for Cole McDevitt. The catcher sent a sac fly to center field that scored Hanson. After a Stemper single, Estrada sent a double to left center to give the Gophers a lead they would not let go. Pettersen drove in two more RBIs with a single through the infield.
Walks to Kozicky and Vavra filled the bases for Micah Coffey. The third baseman continued the scoring with a double off the right field wall, driving in two runs. Hanson walked then Smith had a ground ball that scored Vavra. The final runs of the inning came when McDevitt singled through the left side of the infield, scoring both Coffey and Hanson.
The Dirtbags would go on to score two more runs in the top of the seventh inning.
Brett Schulze started on the mound for the Maroon and Gold, pitching 5.2 innings. He allowed four runs on five hits but set a career high with nine strikeouts.
The first pitcher out of the bullpen was Fred Manke. The righty tossed 1.1 innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits. He struck out two batters en route to his first win of the season.
Tyler Hanson pitched the final two innings of the game where he did not allow a run. The senior gave up two hits and struck out two batters.
Up Next
The rubber game of the three-game series is set to begin at 1 p.m. tomorrow afternoon at Siebert Field.
Game Notes
- Kozicky extended his on-base streak to 29 consecutive games with a walk.
- Hanson leads the team with 46 RBIs.
- Seven Gophers recorded a RBI and eight Minnesota student-athletes scored one or more runs.
- This is the first time since 2011 that Minnesota has posted eight or more runs in an inning.
