University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
5-7, 0
Purdue
14-1, 0
Minnesota Drops Matchup 11-6 to Purdue Despite Late Lead
3/8/2025 10:24:00 PM | Baseball
MINNEAPOLIS- The Minnesota Golden Gophers took a 6-5 lead into the seventh inning, but could not hang on and fell 11-6 to the Purdue Boilermakers 14-1, 2-0 Big Ten) Saturday night.
Sophomore Will Whelan (0-1) took the loss on the mound for Minnesota (5-7, 0-2 Big Ten). Junior Noah Rooney was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going one shutout inning while allowing one hit.
Offensively, the Golden Gophers were paced by junior Weber Neels, who went 2-for-4 on the day with a double, a home run and two RBI. Sophomore Brayden Hellum furnished a standout performance at the plate as well, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Junior Drew Berkland also contributed for Minnesota, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Gophers were trailing 2-0 in the fifth inning when they first put runs on the board. Minnesota's offense started clicking and put up four runs, including a two-run single off the bat of Berkland.
The Golden Gophers lost the lead they built in the fifth, but got back on the board in the sixth trailing 5-4. Minnesota scored twice on Neels' two-run homer, which brought the score to 6-5 in favor of the Golden Gophers. The Golden Gophers were unable to hold the lead, as Purdue scored six times over the remaining three innings to grab the 11-6 win.
GAME NOTES
» Minnesota's power output was led by Neels, who had two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Minnesota's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed four runs across.
» The Golden Gophers drew four walks from Purdue pitching.
» Neels led the Golden Gophers at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBI.
For more information on the Gopher baseball program, fans can continue to use GopherSports.com, as well as follow the team on X,Instagram, and Facebook
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: HAYDEN, Enas (3-0)
L: Whelan, Will (0-1)
S: VAN ASSEN, Cole (1)
Batting:
HR: ANDERSON, Brandon 1 ; MANIAS, Aaron 1 ; SPENCE, Keenan 1
RBI: CHOI, Albert 1 ; ANDERSON, Brandon 1 ; MANIAS, Aaron 4 ; SPENCE, Keenan 4 ; ANDERSON, Eli 1
SF: SPENCE, Keenan 1 ; ANDERSON, Eli 1
Base Running:
RUNS: CHOI, Albert 1 ; ANDERSON, Brandon 2 ; SUTTER, Logan 2 ; MALOTT, Corbin 1 ; MANIAS, Aaron 2 ; SPENCE, Keenan 2 ; GILL, Ty 1
SB: CHOI, Albert 1 ; COOK, Lukas 1
HBP: CHOI, Albert 1
Batting:
2B: Neels, Weber 1
HR: Neels, Weber 1
RBI: Knoll, Parker 1 ; Hellum, Brayden 1 ; Berkland, Drew 2 ; Neels, Weber 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Knoll, Parker 1 ; Perry, Jake 1 ; Elbeery, Jake 1 ; Neels, Weber 2 ; Spanier, Jack 1
SB: Hellum, Brayden 1
CS: Spanier, Jack 1
HBP: Spanier, Jack 1
PO: Larson, Jake 1
