Gophers baseball worked hard over spring break, playing eight games over the course of the week.
Minnesota’s baseball season started just over a month ago, and they now sit at 8-10. After playing 18 games in four weeks, the Gophers’ schedule will not slow down anytime soon.
Head coach Ty McDevitt voiced his fatigue during a Feb. 24 press conference.
“It’s been an exhausting last couple of weeks playing some good competition,” McDevitt said.
Minnesota kicked off spring break facing the Purdue Boilermakers on March 7, losing 6-3. Pitchers Cole Selvig and Caden Capomaccio threw for the Gophers on Friday night.
Selvig finished the game with four strikeouts and Capomaccio with two.
Despite the loss, outfielder Brayden Hellum had a breakout game leading the Gophers’ offense with two hits, two RBI and two walks.
Saturday night looked promising as Minnesota held a 6-5 lead over Purdue heading into the seventh inning.
The highlight of the game came from pitcher Noah Rooney, who threw a shutout inning while allowing only one hit.
The duo of catcher Weber Neels and Hellum led the offense, each hitting .500. Neels went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBI, and Hellum went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Purdue scored six times after the sixth inning, capturing the win for the night 11-6.
The Gophers finally secured a win during the last game of the series. Minnesota out-hit the Boilermakers 15-11, along with drawing six walks.
Outfielder Kris Hokenson and infielder Easton Richter each contributed three hits to clinch the victory for the Gophers.
A few days later, the Gophers split a doubleheader against Kansas.
In game one, Minnesota’s entire starting lineup reached home plate to score. With all nine starters securing the base, it put them over the top at 10-6 for the win.
Outfielder Drew Berkland started the night with an RBI double in the first inning. Berkland ultimately played a crucial role in the victory at the end of the night going 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI.
To finish the week, Minnesota played against No. 9 Oregon. Ultimately taking the overall loss, but sneaking in a victory in the last game.
After going 3-5 in their eight games, a McDevitt quote from a Feb. 24 press conference still rings true.
“We just had to learn how to win,” McDevitt said. “Today we got over that hump.”
Minnesota picked up a singular win Sunday night by starting hot and beating Oregon to the board first.
Infielder Jake Perry started the scoring for the Gophers in the third inning. He walked with the bases loaded and it began a flood of runs for the Gophers, scoring seven in the inning.
The Gophers will have two days off before they turn around again to face the Tommies from St. Thomas on March 19 at U.S. Bank Stadium.
