University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
19-17, 6-10
Rutgers
17-21, 6-10
Gophers Edge Rutgers, 3-2, for Eighth Straight Win
4/18/2025 8:33:00 PM | Baseball
PISCATAWAY, N.J.- The Minnesota Golden Gophers took a 1-0 lead in the third inning and never trailed from there on the way to a 3-2 win against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Friday.
Junior Joe Sperry (4-0) started on the mound and picked up the win for Minnesota (19-17, 6-10). The right-hander went six innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on three hits, allowing two walks and striking out three. Sophomore Will Whelan also made an impact on the mound for the Golden Gophers, throwing two scoreless innings while allowing no hits, with one walk and two strikeouts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Gophers got on the scoreboard first, starting in the third inning. Minnesota got an RBI single from junior Weber Neels, scoring senior Jake Larson from third base.
The Golden Gophers then held the Scarlet Knights scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. Minnesota picked up a run on senior Jake Perry's leadoff home run off of freshman Landon Mack, which brought the score to 2-0 in favor of the Golden Gophers.
Minnesota kept Rutgers without a run before building their lead to 3-0 in the sixth inning. Rutgers put two runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Minnesota still held on for the 3-2 win.
GAME NOTES
» Minnesota's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed one run across.
» Minnesota took the lead at 1-0 in the top half of the third and never lost that advantage.
» Sperry put together six innings of two-run ball for the Golden Gophers.
» The Golden Gophers out-hit the Scarlet Knights at a 7-4 clip.
» Junior Easton Richter stole two bases in Friday's game.
» Minnesota pitchers limited Rutgers to just 1-for-5 (.200) with runners in scoring position.
» Minnesota pitchers faced 38 Rutgers hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and 15 fly balls while striking out seven.
» Perry led the Golden Gophers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with 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: Sperry, Joe (4-0)
L: Landon Mack (3-4)
S: Whelan, Will (3)
Batting:
2B: Fitzgerald, Josh 1
HR: Perry, Jake 1
RBI: Neels, Weber 1 ; Perry, Jake 2
SH: Hokenson, Kris 1
SF: Perry, Jake 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Fitzgerald, Josh 1 ; Perry, Jake 1 ; Larson, Jake 1
SB: Richter, Easton 2 ; Neels, Weber 1 ; Hellum, Brayden 1
HBP: Richter, Easton 1
Batting:
RBI: Trevor Cohen 1 ; Pablo Santos 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Jack Sweeney 1 ; Matt Chatelle 1
HBP: Jack Sweeney 1 ; Matt Chatelle 1
