University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
6-19, 1-0
Ohio State
12-12, 0-4
Minnesota Scores Three in Ninth to Stun OSU, 3-2
3/31/2023 7:56:00 PM | Baseball
Counsell and Neels hit back-to-back home runs to tie the game
COLUMBUS, Ohio --The Minnesota Golden Gophers rallied from down 2-0 in the eighth inning to win in thrilling fashion, tallying three runs in the ninth to secure a 3-2 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes Friday.
Trailing 2-0 in the ninth, sophomore Brady Counsell and freshman Weber Neels hit back-to-back home runs to tie the game. After Boston Merila was hit by a pitch, sophomore Jake Perry drove him in with an RBI double to cap a 3-2 comeback win in the Gophers' Big Ten opener.
Sophomore Noah Rooney (2-0) got the win out of the bullpen for Minnesota (6-19, 1-0). The left-hander went two shutout innings, giving up one hit, one walk and striking out two. Sophomore Tucker Novotny started the ballgame and went six innings, surrendering two runs, both earned, on five hits, walking two and striking out a career-high 10 hitters.
Perry led the way offensively for the Golden Gophers, going 4-for-4 in the ballgame with two doubles and an RBI. Neels provided a standout day at the dish as well, going 1-for-3 with a home run, a walk and an RBI. Sophomore Brady Counsell also contributed, going 1-for-4 for Minnesota with a home run and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Ohio State scored its only runs of the game off a two-run, two-out single in the second inning.
Those were the only runs of the game before Minnesota put together a three-run output that included the consecutive homers from Counsell and Neels. Perry totaled his first ever four-hit game and completed it with his second double, an RBI shot into right center that scored Merila from first.
Sophomore right-hander Seth Clausen (2) closed the game out for the Gophers in the ninth. The Buckeyes had men on first and second but the game ended on a flyout to left field.
GAME NOTES
» Perry racked up four hits on the day for Minnesota, his second three-plus hit game of the season.
» Novotny struck out 10 Buckeyes hitters, topping his previous career-high of six against Hawaii (March 3, 2023).
» The Minnesota pitching staff combined to strike out 13 Ohio State hitters.
» Novotny put together six innings of two-run ball for the Golden Gophers.
» The Golden Gophers out-hit the Buckeyes at an 8-6 clip.
» Minnesota pitchers limited Ohio State to just 1-for-7 (.143) with runners in scoring position.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 37 Ohio State hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out 13.
» Ohio State was led offensively by sophomore Josh McAlister, who went 2-for-2 with two RBI.
» Junior Isaiah Coupet led the Buckeyes pitching staff, throwing seven shutout innings.
UP NEXT
Minnesota (6-19, 1-0 Big Ten) takes on Ohio State (12-12, 0-4 Big Ten) again tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT for game two of the series.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Rooney, Noah (2-0)
L: Beidelschies, Landon (0-1)
S: Clausen, Seth (2)
Batting:
2B: Perry, Jake 2
HR: Counsell, Brady 1 ; Neels, Weber 1
RBI: Counsell, Brady 1 ; Neels, Weber 1 ; Perry, Jake 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Counsell, Brady 1 ; Neels, Weber 1 ; Merila, Boston 1
CS: Bateman, Brett 1 ; Merila, Boston 1
HBP: Merila, Boston 1
Batting:
RBI: McAlister, Josh 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Graveline, Matthew 1 ; Okuley, Mitchell 1
