University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
8-9
Elon
9-10
Minnesota Rallies from Late Deficit, Knocks off Elon in 10 Innings
3/17/2024 2:38:00 PM | Baseball
ELON, N.C. -- The Minnesota Golden Gophers fought back from down 7-4 in the eighth inning to win in exciting fashion, rallying to secure a 9-7 victory in the 10th inning over the Elon Phoenix Sunday.
Senior Thomas Gross (2-2) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Minnesota (8-9). The right-hander went 2.1 shutout innings while giving up one hit. Freshman Will Whelan also made an impact on the mound for the Gophers, throwing one scoreless inning while allowing no hits, with one walk and one strikeout.
At the plate, the 'U' was paced by junior Brady Counsell, who went 2-for-6 on the day with two home runs, including the go-ahead in the top of the tenth, and three RBI. Sophomore Weber Neels went 3-for-5 with a home run, a walk and an RBI, while junior Ike Mezzenga went 1-4 with a gamy-tying two run blast in the ninth.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gophers scored in six different innings on the way to victory. After jumping out to an early lead with one home run each by Counsell and Neels, along with a run-scoring balk, the Phoenix came rallying back with six runs in the seventh inning to take a 7-3 lead.
Minnesota chipped away, getting one run with a sacrifice fly by Tristan Ellis in the top of the eighth to make it 7-4 in favor of Elon. The 'U' rallied in the top of the ninth, sparked by a solo home run by Jake Perry to make it 7-5. After a Brady Jurgella walk, Mezzenga stepped up to the plate and hit a two-run homer to tie the ballgame and take it to extra frames.
With one out and a runner on in the top of the 10th, Counsell stepped into the box and hit his second home run of the game, this time to put the Gophers ahead for good.
After the leadoff man walked in the bottom of the 10th, Tommy Gross reired the next three batters to secure the win for Minnesota.
GAME NOTES
» The 'U' got two home runs off the bat of Counsell, the second Gopher this season to hit multiple long balls in one game.
» Minnesota hit five home runs as a team for the first time since Mar. 1, 2022.
» Mezzenga extended his on base streak to 16 straight games.
» Counsell and Perry have each hit home runs in the last two games.
» Elon was led offensively by senior Connor Offshack, who went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI.
UP NEXT
Minnesota is scheduled to host a mid-week clash with Augsburg on Wednesday, Mar. 20 at 3:00 p.m. at Siebert Field.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Gross, Thomas (2-2)
L: Wehner, Carson (0-2)
Batting:
HR: Counsell, Brady 2 ; Perry, Jake 1 ; Neels, Weber 1 ; Mezzenga, Ike 1
RBI: Counsell, Brady 3 ; Perry, Jake 1 ; Neels, Weber 1 ; Mezzenga, Ike 2 ; Ellis, Tristan 1
SH: Ellis, Tristan 1
SF: Ellis, Tristan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Counsell, Brady 2 ; Perry, Jake 1 ; Neels, Weber 1 ; Jurgella, Brady 1 ; Mezzenga, Ike 2 ; Berkland, Drew 1 ; Sutherland, Charlie 1
HBP: Fitzgerald, Josh 1 ; Berkland, Drew 1
Batting:
2B: Granatell, Charlie 1 ; Offshack, Connor 1
RBI: Granatell, Charlie 2 ; Sprock, Ryan 1 ; Offshack, Connor 2 ; Vergantino, Will 2
SF: Offshack, Connor 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Mallory Jr., Kenny 1 ; Granatell, Charlie 1 ; Sprock, Ryan 2 ; Holliman, Tanner 1 ; Vergantino, Will 1 ; Berry, Adam 1
HBP: Granatell, Charlie 1
