After dropping six of their last seven games, Gophers baseball had an opportunity to get back on track with a pair of midweek non-conference opponents.
With an eventual 1-1 split against South Dakota State and St. Thomas the Gophers move to 12-27 on the season.

Slow start costs Gophers against South Dakota State 12-6

On a cold sub-40 degree spring afternoon, LHP Jack Liffrig started on the mound for the Gophers Tuesday. After four productive outings in a row, allowing one earned run or less, Liffrig was not able to find the same success against the Jackrabbits.

He left the top of the third inning allowing seven hits, seven earned runs and recorded only three strikeouts. SDSU took a commanding 10-0 lead after three innings of play.

Minnesota responded in the fourth inning. An RBI double from Ronald Sweeny and a two-run single from Brett Batmean, the lead was cut to 10-3.

Once again the Gophers’ offense caught fire, adding three more runs in the sixth inning. Led by another Bateman RBI, it was an 11-6 ballgame.

It was too little too late for the Maroon & Gold and South Dakota State ultimately left with a 12-6 victory.

Offensive explosion puts Gophers over St. Thomas 9-0

RHP Richie Holetz started on the mound Wednesday for the Gophers. The RHP came to play with four lights-out innings of work, allowing only one hit and zero earned runs while striking out six.

Minnesota’s run support came early and often with all nine of its runs coming in the first three innings.

Brett Bateman and Boston Merila led the way with a team-high three hits. Brady Counsell was the only one-two record multiple RBI, coming on a two-run double in the third inning.

The 9-0 victory over St. Thomas was the Gophers’ first shutout win of the season.
The Gophers will now look ahead to a three-game weekend series in East Lansing, Michigan against the Spartans of Michigan State.