University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
7-8
Elon
8-9
Minnesota Drops Matchup with Elon 2-1 in 10 Innings
3/15/2024 7:32:00 PM | Baseball
ELON, N.C. -- The Minnesota Golden Gophers fell 2-1 in a 10-inning pitchers duel to the Elon Phoenix Friday.
Junior Seth Clausen (1-1) took the loss on the mound for Minnesota (7-8). Junior Tucker Novotny made his strongest start of the season, pitching 6.2 shutout innings while allowing four hits, walking two and striking out two.
Offensively, the Gophers were paced by junior Brady Counsell, who went 3-for-6 on the day with the lone RBI for Minnesota.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The 'U' scored their first and only run of the game in the top of the second inning. Kyle Bork singled and advanced to second after a Brady Jurgella walk. Counsell stepped up to the plate and got an RBI single to score Bork and put the Gophers in front. That run held for seven more innings until the Phoenix tied it in the bottom of the ninth with a leadoff solo home run. Bork got on base with a walk in the top of the 10th, advancing to third after a sacrifice bunt and a groundout, but Minnesota was unable to push him across. The Phoenix walked it off in the bottom of the 10th after three singles.
GAME NOTES
» Novotny put together 6.2 innings of scoreless ball for Minnesota.
» Minnesota left 15 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» The Gophers out-hit the Phoenix at an 11-8 clip.
» Ike Mezzenga extended his on-base streak to 14 straight games with two singles.
» The 'U' last lost on a walkoff hit on Feb. 20, 2023 to Illinois.
» The last time Minnesota lost in extra innings was Mar. 13, 2023 to Gonzaga in 15 innings.
» Sophomore Justin Mitrovich led the Phoenix pitching staff, throwing six innings of one-run ball.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Nomura, Sam (1-1)
L: Clausen, Seth (1-1)
Batting:
2B: Neels, Weber 1
RBI: Counsell, Brady 1
SH: Jurgella, Brady 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bork, Kyle 1
SB: Counsell, Brady 1
CS: Larson, Jake 1
HBP: Neels, Weber 1
Batting:
2B: Szestowicki, Justin 1
HR: Paradine, Shane 1
RBI: Paradine, Shane 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Mallory Jr., Kenny 1 ; Paradine, Shane 1
