After pounding Illinois State in its first game of the season Sunday night, the Gophers baseball team split its double-header Monday at the Metrodome.
In Game 1, the Gophers fell to the Redbirds 7-6 in eight innings. The win for Illinois State was its first ever over Minnesota.
In the nightcap, the Gophers rebounded to take out Illinois State 3-2 in 13 innings.
The game was tied 1-1 in extra innings, until the Redbirds put a run on the board in the top of the 12th, to take a 2-1 lead.
But the Gophers responded in the bottom frame to even things up at 2-2. With runners at the corners, an infield single by junior Josh Holthaus scored freshman Scott Welch.
The next batter, sophomore Jack Hannahan, knocked home sophomore Scott Howard with the game-winning run.
On Sunday, Minnesota opened its 2000 campaign with a 9-1 rout of the Redbirds. The Gophers got 5 2/3 innings of strong pitching from senior Chadd Clarey, who got the win.
Junior Rick Brosseau led the Gophers attack with 3 RBI, while Howard knocked in two more.
Senior Brandon Kitzerow relieved Clarey, and finished Illinois State off, collecting his first career save.
Minnesota now has three days off. The Gophers face Florida Atlantic this weekend down in Boca Raton, Fla.

John R. Carter covers baseball and welcomes comments at [email protected].