Minnesota’s baseball team defeated South Dakota State by a score of 16-11 Wednesday night in Sioux Falls, S.D.

The Gophers scored five runs in the top of the ninth to break an 11-11 tie.

Junior first baseman Mike Mee reached on a fielder’s choice in the inning, then stole second base and third base on successive pitches. He scored the eventual game-winning run on a sacrifice fly by junior shortstop Dan Lyons, which put the Gophers up 12-11.

Junior outfielder Sean Kommerstad drove in Minnesota’s 13th run of the night with an RBI single in the ninth.

Sophomore first baseman Nick Biagini’s two-run single in the inning scored the Gophers’ 14th and 15th runs.

Senior second baseman Luke MacLean led Minnesota’s offense with a career-high four hits, including an RBI single in the ninth that capped the scoring for the Gophers. Minnesota improved to 15-13 on the year with the win.

Sophomore right-hander Gary Perinar picked up the win for Minnesota, improving to 3-0 on the season. Perinar gave up just one unearned run. Perinar retired the side in the ninth to finish the Gophers win.

An error by MacLean allowed the Jackrabbits to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth. MacLean’s throw from second base on a ground ball was off target, scoring Korby Mintken from second, evening the game at 11.

Minnesota took an 11-10 lead on a lead-off home run by Kommerstad in the top of the eighth.

Recruit to Minnesota

Lawrence Westbrook, a 6-foot, 190-pound combination guard, has signed a scholarship tender with Minnesota’s men’s basketball team, the team announced Wednesday.

The Chandler, Ariz., native was ranked as the 12th-best high-school shooting guard in the nation by Rivals.com. He played last season – his senior year – at Winchendon Prep School in Massachusetts, where he led the team with 18 points per game.

Westbrook originally signed a letter of intent with Iowa State, but was granted a release by the NCAA after Cyclones coach Wayne Morgan was fired.