University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
3-15
Gonzaga
3-12
Minnesota Rallies for Wild Win Over Gonzaga
3/15/2023 6:34:00 PM | Baseball
The 'U' scored five runs in the eighth to take a 10-8 lead
MINNEAPOLIS --The Minnesota Golden Gophers used a five run eighth inning to come from behind and take down the Gonzaga Bulldogs for a 10-8 win on Wednesday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Gophers scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 5-1 lead before Gonzaga rallied for seven runs in the seventh and eighth innings combined. The 'U' responded with five more runs in the eighth to win in dramatic fashion.
Freshman Caden Capomaccio made a big impact on the mound for the Golden Gophers, starting the ballgame and throwing five innings, giving up one run on three hits, with three walks and three strikeouts.
Junior Brady Jurgella led the way offensively for the Golden Gophers, going 3-for-5 in the ballgame with a walk and two RBI. Junior Boston Merila compiled a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 3-for-4 with two RBI. Sophomore Jake Perry drilled a triple and also had a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Gophers were trailing 1-0 in the sixth inning when they first put runs on the board. Minnesota scored off an RBI triple from Perry and RBI singles from Merila, Jurgella and Sam Hunt to go up 5-1.
The Bulldogs tied it up in the seventh after getting men on base with a pair of walks, three hit-by-pitches and a two-run single. They then took the lead in the eighth off of three hits, two walks and a sacrifice fly.
Minnesota's offense exploded for five runs in the bottom of the frame, highlighted by Merila's eventual game-winning, two-run single through the right side. The Gophers tallied five hits and a pair of walks in the inning.
New Mexico State transfer Cam Blazek came on for the save in the top of the ninth, the first one of his senior season.
GAME NOTES
» Minnesota got three-hit games from both Jurgella and Merila. It was Jurgella's first multi-hit game as a Gopher while Merila is 8-for-14 in his last three games.
» Minnesota scored five runs each in the sixth and eighth innings.
» Minnesota went 7-for-19 (.368) with runners in scoring position.
» The Golden Gophers got two hits in four at-bats with the bases loaded.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 46 Gonzaga hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out nine.
» The Golden Gophers drew seven walks from Gonzaga pitching.
» Gonzaga was led offensively by sophomore Enzo Apodaca, who went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI.
» Freshman Everett Swaim led the Bulldogs pitching staff, throwing five innings of one-run ball.
UP NEXT
Minnesota (3-15, 0-0 Big Ten) hosts Houston (5-11, 0-0 AAC) from Friday through Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Clausen, Seth (1-0)
L: FRANCIS, KAI (0-1)
S: Blazek, Cam (1)
Batting:
2B: APODACA, ENZO 1 ; PINALES, SAVIER 1 ; DUNN, HANK 1
RBI: APODACA, ENZO 2 ; KALMER, BRIAN 2 ; EISENSTAT, TOMMY 1 ; CANTON, SAM 2
SF: KALMER, BRIAN 1
Base Running:
RUNS: COBALLES, CONNOR 1 ; APODACA, ENZO 1 ; KALMER, BRIAN 1 ; DUNN, HANK 2 ; BOZETT, BROCK 2 ; SAMPERI, EZRA 1
SB: APODACA, ENZO 2 ; BOZETT, BROCK 1
HBP: COBALLES, CONNOR 1 ; APODACA, ENZO 1 ; EISENSTAT, TOMMY 1
Batting:
2B: Bork, Kyle 1
3B: Perry, Jake 1
RBI: Jurgella, Brady 2 ; Hunt, Sam 2 ; Mezzenga, Ike 1 ; Perry, Jake 1 ; Merila, Boston 3 ; Counsell, Brady 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Jurgella, Brady 1 ; Hunt, Sam 1 ; Mezzenga, Ike 2 ; Perry, Jake 2 ; Merila, Boston 1 ; Hokenson, Kris 1 ; Bork, Kyle 2
SB: Jurgella, Brady 2 ; Merila, Boston 1
CS: Counsell, Brady 1
HBP: Merila, Boston 1
