The Gophers took last night’s series opener from the Buckeyes 7-5 and they’ll try to clinch the series with a win this afternoon, but Ohio State will surely come out with some fire today.  Doesn’t look like there are any changes to Minnesota’s lineup, so here it is without further ado.

Minnesota starting pitcher – RHP Tom Buske, 4-1, 2.23 ERA
Ohio State starting pitcher – RHP Dean Wolosiansky, 5-1, 6.49 ERA

Minnesota batting order
1) DH Matt Nohelty
2) SS AJ Pettersen
3) 2B Derek McCallum
4) RF Michael Kvasnicka
5) CF Eric Decker
6) C Kyle Knudson
7) 1B Nick O’Shea
8) LF Justin Gominsky
9) 3B Kyle Geason

Ohio State batting order
1) LF Zach Hurley
2) 2B Cory Kovanda
3) CF Michael Stephens
4) 3B Justin Miller
5) C Dan Burkhart
6) RF Michael Arp
7) DH Ryan Dew
8) SS Tyler Engle
9) 1B Matt Streng

Starter Tom Buske was pegged for two runs almost immediately. Justin Miller, who hit a deep foul ball to left in the ninth inning last night, put one in the seats with a man on and one out in the top of the first. I get the impression already that Ohio State isn’t going to give AJ Pettersen anything to hit today after the freshman shortstop went 3-for-3 with a triple last night. He walked on five pitches in his first at-bat. Buckeyes starter Dean Wolosiansky has a gem going through five. He has yet to forfeit a run and has allowed just two hits through five innings. The Gophers ended Wolosiansky’s scoreless day with a sac fly by Kyle Knudson. Ohio State immediately brings in Drew Rucinski after the play. Austin Lubinsky replaces Buske in the seventh and, like Buske, is tagged quickly for a big home run. This one is hit by Michael Stephens. Minnesota cuts into the Buckeyes’ lead again in the bottom of the inning. Kyle Geason leads off by getting hit for the third time today, advances to third on a hit and run and scores on a Derek McCallum groundout. That’s nine straight games with an RBI for McCallum, quite a streak. In the bottom of the ninth, McCallum came to the plate with another RBI opportunity. Matt Nohelty was on second after a walk and a sack bunt by Pettersen. But even with a hitter’s count, McCallum’s weak fly ball out epitomized the day Minnesota had at the plate. The Gophers were 3-for-20 with runners on base and 0-for-15 with runners in scoring position.