University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Florida Gulf Coast
Players Mentioned
Gophers Close Out Florida Schedule with Four Game Stint in Fort Myers
2/17/2026 12:08:00 PM | Baseball
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. - The University of Minnesota baseball team is back in the Sunshine State this week, taking on Florida Gulf Coast before weekend matchups with the Minnesota Twins and Northeastern University.
GAME INFORMATION
Game One
Minnesota (3-0, 0-0 B1G) vs. FGCU (3-0, 0-0 ASUN)
Swanson Stadium
Wednesday, Feb. 18
5:30 PM (CT)
Fort Myers, Fla.
Game Two
Minnesota Gophers vs. Minnesota Twins (Exh.)
Hammond Stadium at Lee Health Sports Complex
Friday, Feb. 20
5:05 PM (CT)
Fort Myers, Fla.
Game Three
Minnesota (3-0, 0-0 B1G) vs. Northeastern (0-3, 0-0 CAA)
Hammond Stadium at Lee Health Sports Complex
Saturday, Feb. 21
5:05 PM (CT)
Fort Myers, Fla.
Game Four
Minnesota (3-0, 0-0 B1G) vs. Northeastern (0-3, 0-0 CAA)
Hammond Stadium at Lee Health Sports Complex
Sunday, Feb. 22
12:00 PM (CT)
Fort Myers, Fla.
Head to Head History
-Minnesota begins their second road trip in Florida with a mid-week matchup against the FGCU. The Gophers are 3-1 all time against the Eagles, losing 5-13 in their most recent matchup back in 2023
-The Minnesota Twins tallied a record 70-92 throughout the 2025 season. The last time the two teams matched up in spring training, the Twins took down the Gophers 13-2 in 2024. The two teams will square off before the MLB club's first official spring training game against the Boston Red Sox.
-The Gophers will close out the weekend with a two game series against Northeastern. Minnesota is 2-2 all time against the Huskies, falling in their most recent matchup 2-6 back in 2024.
Scouting the Competition
-The FGCU Eagles are 3-0 to start off 2026, sweeping the North Dakota State Bison in a three game series for their opening weekend. The Eagles ended the 2025 season with a 31-29 record, being named a co-champion of the ASUN conference after the championship game was rained out.
-The Northeastern Huskies are 0-3 to begin 2026, falling to GCU, Nebraska, and Iowa on their opening weekend at the MLB Desert Invitational. The Huskies closed out 2025 with a 49-11 record, falling in the Tallahassee Regional of the NCAA Tournament to Mississippi State.
Last Time Out
-The Gophers are 3-0 to start off the 2026 season, taking down Stetson 11-5 on opening day before posting back to back 8-0 shutouts against St. John's University and Ball State
-Minnesota's undefeated weekend is their first opening weekend sweep since the 2014 season when they swept Northern Illinois in a three game series to start the year
What's On Tap
-Following the completion of their tour throughout the Sunshine State, Minnesota will return home to host their first home games of the season where they will welcome the University of Kansas to U.S. Bank Stadium for a four game series
Sutherland Shines from the Plate
-Junior utility player Charlie Sutherland showed his offensive prowess throughout the first three games of the season, helping lead the Gophers to an undefeated weekend. The preseason Big Ten Player to Watch slashed a .333 average with four hits and five runs, lacing home runs in back to back at bats in the team's win over Stetson
Newcomers Rule the Bump
-Newcomer pitchers shined in their Gopher debuts on the mound in the opening weekend. Newcomer arms combined for a 0.00 ERA and 14 strikeouts, while only allowing eight hits and four walks.