University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
20-17, 7-10
Rutgers
17-21, 6-11
Gophers Push Win Streak to Nine With 8-4 Win Over Rutgers
4/19/2025 5:24:00 PM | Baseball
PISCATAWAY, N.J.- Junior Drew Berkland collected three hits to help lead the Minnesota Golden Gophers past the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 8-4 Saturday.
Junior Noah Rooney (3-1) got the win out of the bullpen for Minnesota (20-17, 7-10). The left-hander went 3.1 innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on five hits. Senior Eli Sundquist also pitched well, going 1.2 shutout innings while allowing one hit, walking one and striking out three.
In addition to his three hits, Berkland had a home run and two RBI to lead the Golden Gophers. Junior Weber Neels put together a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 1-for-5 with a home run and three RBI. Senior Josh Fitzgerald also contributed for Minnesota, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Gophers got on the scoreboard first, starting in the third inning. Berkland put Minnesota on the board with a two-out solo home run off senior Quinn Berglin.
The Scarlet Knights then rallied to score two runs and take a 2-1 lead before the Golden Gophers got back on the board in the fifth. The Minnesota offense exploded for five runs, highlighted by a three-run home run off the bat of Neels, which brought the Golden Gophers lead to 6-2.
Minnesota kept Rutgers scoreless before building their lead to 8-2 in the seventh inning. Senior Jake Perry's run-scoring single highlighted a two-run output in the frame for the Golden Gophers. Rutgers put two runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Minnesota still coasted to the 8-4 win.
GAME NOTES
» Berkland picked up three hits in the game for Minnesota.
» Minnesota's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed five runs across.
» Minnesota pitchers limited Rutgers to just 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
» The Golden Gophers drew five walks from Rutgers pitching.
» Berkland led the Golden Gophers at the plate, going 3-for-5 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: Rooney, Noah (3-1)
L: Quinn Berglin (3-3)
Batting:
HR: Berkland, Drew 1 ; Neels, Weber 1
RBI: Berkland, Drew 2 ; Richter, Easton 1 ; Neels, Weber 3 ; Perry, Jake 1 ; Hokenson, Kris 1
SH: Larson, Jake 2
SF: Richter, Easton 1 ; Hokenson, Kris 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Berkland, Drew 2 ; Richter, Easton 1 ; Fitzgerald, Josh 1 ; Neels, Weber 1 ; Martin, Jameson 1 ; Sutherland, Charlie 1 ; Larson, Jake 1
HBP: Richter, Easton 1 ; Sutherland, Charlie 1
Batting:
HR: Ty Doucette 1 ; Brennan Hyde 1
RBI: RJ Johnson Jr. 1 ; Ty Doucette 1 ; Brennan Hyde 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Ty Doucette 1 ; JT Thompson 2 ; Brennan Hyde 1
