University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
2-14
West Virginia
10-4
Minnesota Falls 7-4 to WVU Despite Late Lead
3/12/2023 3:20:00 PM | Baseball
The Gophers led 3-2 in the eighth inning
MORGANTOWN, W. Va. -- The Minnesota Golden Gophers took a 3-2 lead into the eighth inning but could not hang on and fell 7-4 to the West Virginia Mountaineers Sunday. WVU won Friday's game 15-7 and Saturday's game 7-2.
Sophomore Connor Wietgrefe (0-2) took the loss on the mound for Minnesota (2-14). Senior Richie Holetz started the ballgame and went 5.2 innings, surrendering two runs on eight hits, walking none and striking out two. He's thrown five-or-more innings in three of his four starts in 2023.
Junior Boston Merila led the way offensively for the Golden Gophers, going 3-for-4 in the ballgame with two doubles and two RBI. Sophomore Jake Perry compiled a standout performance at the dish as well, going 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and an RBI. Sophomore Ike Mezzenga chipped in by going 1-for-4 for Minnesota with a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 1-0, the Golden Gophers first put runs on the board in the fourth inning. Minnesota got on the board thanks to Merila's first RBI double with two outs.
The Mountaineers broke the tie and re-took the lead heading into the sixth inning before the Gophers got back on the scoreboard. After Ike Mezzenga walked and stole second, Jake Perry drove him in with a two out RBI double. Meila then drove in Perry with a single to right center, putting Minnesota up 3-2.
Minnesota led 3-2 until the bottom of the eighth, when WVU struck four five runs. They did their damage on four walks, a hit-by-pitch, two hits and a passed ball. The Golden Gophers scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Mezzenga in the ninth, but it wasn't enough as the 'U' fell 7-4.
GAME NOTES
» Merila led the Golden Gophers, compiling three hits in the ballgame, tying a season-high. It was his fifth multi-hit game.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 40 West Virginia hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out three.
» The Golden Gophers drew six walks from West Virginia pitching.
» West Virginia was led offensively by senior Tevin Tucker, who went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
» Sophomore Grant Siegel led the Mountaineers pitching staff, throwing 5.2 innings of three-run ball.
» Weber Neels and Brady Jurgella both started and had one hit each.
UP NEXT
Minnesota (2-14, 0-0 Big Ten) hosts Gonzaga (1-11, 0-0 WCC) on Tuesday and Wednesday at U.S. Bank Stadium. Both games will be streamed on B1G+.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Short, Noah (1-0)
L: Wietgrefe, Connor (0-2)
Batting:
2B: Perry, Jake 1 ; Merila, Boston 2 ; Jurgella, Brady 1
RBI: Mezzenga, Ike 1 ; Perry, Jake 1 ; Merila, Boston 2
SH: Counsell, Brady 1 ; Jurgella, Brady 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Counsell, Brady 1 ; Mezzenga, Ike 1 ; Perry, Jake 1 ; Jurgella, Brady 1
SB: Mezzenga, Ike 1
CS: Neels, Weber 1
Batting:
2B: White, Sam 1 ; Hussey, Grant 1 ; Tucker, Tevin 1
RBI: Wetherholt, J.J. 1 ; Dowdell, Kevin 1 ; Garcia, Ellis 1 ; Hussey, Grant 1 ; Wallace, Landon 1 ; Tucker, Tevin 1
SH: White, Sam 1 ; Tucker, Tevin 1
SF: Wetherholt, J.J. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Keels, Tre 1 ; McNeely, Caleb 1 ; White, Sam 1 ; Garcia, Ellis 1 ; Hussey, Grant 1 ; Wallace, Landon 1 ; Tucker, Tevin 1
HBP: Barry, Braden 1 ; White, Sam 1 ; Wallace, Landon 1
