University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
3-17
Houston
7-11
Gophers Let Late Lead Slip, Fall 4-2 in 10
3/18/2023 4:54:00 PM | Baseball
Klassen struck out eight in 7.2 shutout innings
MINNEAPOLIS -- Redshirt sophomore right-hander George Klassen was dominant on Saturday, fanning eight Houston hitters over 7.2 innings of work, but it was not enough as the Minnesota Golden Gophers fell to the Cougars 4-2 in 10 innings.
Klassen's eight strikeouts tied a career-best while his 7.2 shutout innings made for the longest outing of his Minnesota career. He gave up just one hit and walked two for Minnesota (3-17) in a masterful effort on the mound.
Freshman Weber Neels led the way offensively for the Golden Gophers, hitting two solo home runs to produce the entire scoring output for his team. Junior Brett Bateman put together a standout performance at the plate as well, going 2-for-5.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Gophers got on the scoreboard first with Neels' first home run of the day, a moonshot to left center. He hit his second home run in the seventh inning to put the 'U' up 2-0.
Klassen exited the game for Minnesota with two outs and a man on third before left-hander Connor Wietgrefe slammed the door to end the frame. With one out in the ninth inning, UH's Justin Murray hit a two-run home run to left field, tying the game.
The Gophers had men on first and second with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Brady Jurgella struck out to end the threat. The Cougars scored two runs in the 10th to go up 4-2, hitting three straight doubles. Minnesota could not get anything going in the bottom of the frame and fell, 4-2.
GAME NOTES
» Minnesota got a two-homer day from Weber Neels, his second and third home runs of his Gophers career.
» Klassen fanned eight Cougars hitters (tied career-high).
» Minnesota is now 0-3 in games going to extra innings this season.
» Klassen put together 7.2 innings of scoreless ball for Minnesota.
» The Golden Gophers out-hit the Cougars at an 8-6 clip.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 38 Houston hitters in the game, allowing 12 ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out eight.
» Houston was led offensively by junior Justin Murray, who went 1-for-1 with a home run and two RBI.
» Paul Schmitz led the Cougars pitching staff, throwing 6.2 innings of two-run ball.
UP NEXT
Minnesota (3-17, 0-0 Big Ten) hosts Houston (7-11, 0-0 AAC) tomorrow at noon to close the series out. B1G+ will stream the game.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: WOODWARD, Owen (1-0)
L: Blazek, Cam (1-1)
Batting:
2B: NICKENS, Cameron 1 ; MCMILLAN, Ian 1 ; BIANCO, Drew 1
HR: MURRAY, Justin 1
RBI: NICKENS, Cameron 1 ; MURRAY, Justin 2 ; BIANCO, Drew 1
Base Running:
RUNS: ARNOLD, Zach 1 ; MURRAY, Justin 1 ; MCMILLAN, Ian 1 ; BIANCO, Drew 1
SB: BURCKEL, Brandon 2 ; MCMILLAN, Ian 1
CS: LOPEZ, Alex 1 ; BURCKEL, Brandon 1
HBP: BURCKEL, Brandon 2 ; BIANCO, Drew 1
Batting:
HR: Neels, Weber 2
RBI: Neels, Weber 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Neels, Weber 2
SB: Bateman, Brett 1
