University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
5-19
Creighton
9-8
Klassen and Holetz Combine for Shutout in Minnesota's 3-0 Win over Creighton
3/25/2023 5:04:00 PM | Baseball
Klassen went six shutout innings, giving up three hits
OMAHA, Neb. -- Redshirt Sophomore George Klassen and redshirt senior Richie Holetz combined to throw a shutout on Saturday as the Minnesota Golden Gophers blanked the Creighton Bluejays 3-0.
Klassen (1-3) started and picked up the win for Minnesota (5-19), going six shutout innings while giving up three hits, walking two, and striking out two. Holetz was dealing out of the bullpen as well, going three shutout innings without allowing no hits and striking out three.
At the plate, the Golden Gophers were led by junior Brady Jurgella, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a walk and an RBI. Junior Brett Bateman put together a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI. Freshman Weber Neels also chipped in for Minnesota, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a double and a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Gophers got the scoring going in the fifth inning, when freshman standout Weber Neels drilled a double off the left field fence to start the inning. Jake Perry then walked and Boston Merila reached on a bunt single to load the bases. A Jake Larson RBI groundout put the 'U' up 1-0 and it would add one more on a bases loaded walk from Brady Jurgella.
The Golden Gophers also added a run in the seventh inning after Larson walked and Riley Swenson advanced him to third with a single. A bunt single from Brett Bateman scored Larson for the Gophers' final run of the game.
George Klassen and Richie Holetz allowed just six runners to reach all game in the shutout victory.
GAME NOTES
» Klassen and Holetz combined to throw a three-hit shutout.
» Klassen (1-3) picked up his first career win as a Gopher after putting together six innings of scoreless ball for the Golden Gophers.
» Klassen has now gone his last 13.2 innings without allowing a run.
» This was the Gophers first shutout since April 27, 2022 against UST.
» The Golden Gophers out-hit the Bluejays at a 7-3 clip.
» Minnesota pitchers limited Creighton to just 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 32 Creighton hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and 13 fly balls while striking out five.
» Jurgella led the Golden Gophers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.
» Creighton was led offensively by sophomore Hogan Helligso, who went 1-for-2.
» Senior Marc Lidd led the Bluejays pitching staff, throwing 1.2 shutout innings.
» The win for Minnesota broke a four-game losing streak to the Bluejays.
UP NEXT
Minnesota (5-19, 0-0 Big Ten) heads to Ohio State (12-8, 0-1 Big Ten) next weekend to begin conference play.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Klassen, George (1-3)
L: Anthony Watts (1-2)
S: Holetz, Richie (1)
Batting:
2B: Neels, Weber 1
RBI: Bateman, Brett 1 ; Jurgella, Brady 1 ; Larson, Jake 1
SH: Merila, Boston 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Neels, Weber 1 ; Perry, Jake 1 ; Larson, Jake 1
HBP: Jurgella, Brady 1
Base Running:
CS: Hogan Helligso 1
PO: Andrew Meggs 1
