University of Minnesota Athletics
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Gophers Begin 2026 Campaign in Florida this Weekend
2/12/2026 12:03:00 PM | Baseball
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. - The University of Minnesota baseball team is set to open their 2026 season on the road this weekend in the Sunshine State, playing three games against Stetson University, St. John's University, and Ball State University at Conrad Park in Deland, Florida.
GAME INFORMATION
Game One
Minnesota (0-0, 0-0 B1G) vs. Stetson (0-0, 0-0 ASUN)
Melching Field at Conrad Park
Friday, Feb. 13
5:30 PM (CT)
Deland, FL.
Game Two
Minnesota (0-0, 0-0 B1G) vs. St. John's (0-0, 0-0 Big East)
Melching Field at Conrad Park
Saturday, Feb. 14
9:00 AM (CT)
Deland, FL.
Game Three
Minnesota (0-0, 0-0 B1G) vs. Ball State (0-0, 0-0 MAC)
Melching Field at Conrad Park
Sunday, Feb. 15
8:30 AM (CT)
Deland, FL.
Strong Season Starts
-The Gophers are 10-4 in season opening games since the 2011 season. In 2025, they opened up the year with a 14-3 victory over the University of Houston Cougars in Houston, TX
2025 Year in Review
-Minnesota closed out the 2025 season with a 24-28 overall record in its first season under head coach Ty Mcdevitt. The Gophers ended the year with a 2-1 series win over the Michigan State Spartans, finishing 16th overall in the Big Ten with a 10-20 conference record
Head to Head History
-The Gophers open the weekend against Stetson University, marking the first ever meeting between the two programs
-Minnesota will meet St. John's University for an early morning matchup on Saturday. The Gophers are 4-4 all time against the Red Storm, getting the best of them 8-4 in their most recent matchup back in 2018
-Minnesota closes out the weekend against Ball State on Sunday in their first meeting since the 2006 season. The Gophers own a 9-1 all time record over the Cardinals, most recently defeating them 2-0
Scouting the Competition
-Stetson finished the 2025 season with a 41-22 record and a 24-6 record in the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN). The Hatters were named the favorites to win the ASUN's Graphite Division in 2026
-St John's tallied a 29-24 overall record in the 2025 season, and a 13-8 record throughout the Big East Conference. The Red Storm reload for 2026 after falling in the second round of the Big East Tournament
-Ball State recorded a 36-22 overall record and 21-9 record in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in 2025. The Cardinals ended the season with a loss to Toledo in the MAC Tournament
What's On Tap
-The Gophers return to Florida next week for another four games in Fort Myers. Minnesota matches up against Florida Gulf Coast on Wednesday before their bi-annual exhibition matchup with the Minnesota Twins on Friday. The Gophers will close out the weekend with two games against Northeastern University
Preseason Honors
-Weber Neels was named as the top catcher in the Big Ten and No. 6 catcher in the nation heading into the 2026 season by D1Baseball
-Cole Selvig was rated the No. 192 starting pitcher in the country by D1Baseball
-Neels, Selvig, and Sutherland were named as Minnesota's Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch for 2026
-Brandon Jaenke was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List
Notable Returners
-The Gophers return 18 players to the roster from the 2025 season, including 10 position players and 8 pitchers
-Minnesota's pitching staff sees the return of junior Cole Selvig, who posted a 5.44 ERA and 34 strikeouts before missing the second half of the season with a back injury. Junior Tyler Hemmesch posted the best 2025 ERA out of all the returning arms with a 3.86 over 32.2 innings of work. Will Whelan returns in a reliever role after a successful summer in the Cape Cod League, earning all star status and winning the league championship with the Bourne Braves
-The Gophers return a variety of consistent bats to the lineup for 2026, including senior Weber Neels who led the team with 15 home runs last season. Junior Charlie Sutherland batted a .290 in 138 at bats in 2025 to lead returning hitters. Easton Richter returns to roam the center field grass after posting 12 home runs and a .529 slugging percentage last season.
-Other returners to watch out for: junior Jack Spanier, sophomore Jameson Martin, junior Brayden Hellum, and senior Joe Sperry,
Gopher Newcomers
-Minnesota welcome in 18 new faces to the roster for 2026, including six freshman and 12 transfers
-The Gopher's new additions include six Minnesota natives looking to impact their hometown team