While the weather is still uncooperative outside, Minnesota moved into U.S. Bank for a home-opening 12-0 Tuesday win over St. Thomas, followed by a 7-5 defeat to South Dakota State on Wednesday.
After a 3-6 start to the season, the Gophers faced St. Thomas and South Dakota State in a pair of mid-week contests before at U.S. Bank Stadium hosting the 2022 Cambria College Classic over the weekend.
Gophers dominate in-state rival in home opener Tuesday
In a historic first meeting, Minnesota faced its first in-state opponent at the Division I level against St. Thomas Tuesday night.
The Gophers opted to deploy redshirt junior LHP Jack Liffrig to the mound for his first start of the 2022 season, who had entered with a 19.80 ERA on the season.
Liffrig had his best outing of the season. He did not allow a single hit until the top of the fifth inning. He got serious run support with an explosion of 10 runs before the Tommies even got on base.
In the first inning, senior catcher Chase Stanke got the party started with a two-run home run. He added a three-run shot in the second inning, moving him into the Big Ten lead with five home runs on the season.
On top of Stanke’s five RBIs, redshirt seniors Easton Betrand and Ronald Sweeney blasted solo home runs, sophomore infielder Boston Merila added a two-run double, and sophomore shortstop Joe Houser got home on a past ball all before the fifth inning began.
Liffrig’s night on the mound ended with 7.2 innings pitched. He had one strikeout, but only allowed three hits after facing 25 total batters.
Thanks to a two-run home run from Kyle Bork in the bottom of the eighth inning, Minnesota would ultimately come out on top 12-0.
Early struggles cost Gophers against South Dakota State
Minnesota’s final tune-up game before this weekend’s Cambia College Classic came against 1-6 South Dakota State.
Longtime head coach John Anderson opted to bring senior RHP Richie Holetz to the mound for his first start of the season.
The Edina, Minnesota native struggled mightily allowing four hits, and six earned runs in only one inning of work, and the Gophers trailed 5-0.
Minnesota’s bats did their best to chip away at the Jackrabbits’ lead. Five total runs, highlighted by a solo home run from Ronald Sweeney, were not enough at the end of the day. The Gophers lost 7-5.
The Gophers will now focus on the weekend’s 2022 Cambria College Classic with a matchup with West Virginia on Friday, Kansas on Saturday and Notre Dame on Sunday all being played at U.S. Bank Stadium.
