University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
7-20, 2-1
Ohio State
13-13, 1-5
'U' Beats Buckeyes 6-2, Wins First Big Ten Series
4/2/2023 4:20:00 PM | Baseball
Richie Holetz struck out a career-best eight hitters
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Minnesota Golden Gophers completed a two out of three series victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes with a 6-2 win on Sunday afternoon in Columbus.
Richie Holetz (1-2) went six innings, giving up two runs on five hits and a career-high eight strikeouts for Minnesota (7-20, 2-1). Sophomore Connor Wietgrefe threw two shutout innings while allowing no hits, with three walks and three strikeouts in relief.
Junior Brett Bateman led the way offensively for the Golden Gophers, going 3-for-5 in the ballgame with a double and two RBI. Sophomore Jake Perry provided a noteworthy performance at the plate as well, going 1-for-4 with a walk and two RBI. Junior Kyle Bork had a big day as well, going 2-for-4 for with a double.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Ohio State got one run in the first on an RBI groundout to take an early lead. Minnesota's offense got clicking in the second inning when the Gophers put up a five-spot. Jake Perry hit a two-run single while Brett Bateman tagged an RBI single down the right field line. The Gophers would never lead by less than four runs the rest of the afternoon.
The Buckeyes failed to push any runs across before the Golden Gophers built on their lead in the fourth inning. Minnesota scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Bateman, which brought the Golden Gophers lead to 6-1. Ohio State put one run on the scoreboard in the middle innings, but Minnesota still coasted to the 6-2 win.
GAME NOTES
» Bateman had three base knocks in the game for Minnesota.
» Holetz struck out a career-high eight Buckeyes hitters in his first win as a Golden Gopher.
» This was Minnesota's first Big Ten series road win since May 16-18, 2019 at Northwestern.
» Every Minnesota starter reached base safely in the win.
» The Minnesota pitching staff combined to strike out 12 Ohio State hitters.
» The Golden Gophers out-hit the Buckeyes at an 8-6 clip.
» Minnesota went 4-for-9 (.444) with runners in scoring position.
» Minnesota pitchers limited Ohio State to just 2-for-14 (.143) with runners in scoring position.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 40 Ohio State hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and five fly balls while striking out 12.
» Bateman led the Golden Gophers at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI.
» Ohio State was led offensively by sophomore Tyler Pettorini, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
UP NEXT
Minnesota will get set for five home games at Siebert Field this week, starting Tuesday at 3 p.m. against St. Thomas for the home opener.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Holetz, Richie (1-2)
L: Eisenhardt, George (1-2)
Batting:
2B: Bateman, Brett 1 ; Bork, Kyle 1
RBI: Counsell, Brady 1 ; Perry, Jake 2 ; Bateman, Brett 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Counsell, Brady 1 ; Perry, Jake 1 ; Hunt, Sam 1 ; Larson, Jake 1 ; Bork, Kyle 2
SB: Bateman, Brett 1
HBP: Counsell, Brady 1 ; Merila, Boston 1 ; Hunt, Sam 1
PO: Bateman, Brett 1
Batting:
RBI: Pettorini, Tyler 1 ; Andrews, Cole 1
SF: Pettorini, Tyler 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kaczmar, Henry 1 ; Kaiser, Caden 1
HBP: Lipsey, Trey 1
