Gopher baseball loses to Rutgers

MINNEAPOLIS – The Gopher Baseball team dropped their second game of the 2021 season on Saturday evening, falling to Rutgers by a score of 16-1.

The Scarlet Knights pushed four runs across early in the game, as Rutgers left fielder Evan Sleight delivered a grand slam to straightaway left field.

It did not take the Maroon & Gold long to answer back, however, as Zack Raabe launched a solo home run of his own in the bottom half of the opening frame to bring the score to 4-1. Raabe’s first inning home run marked his second round tripper in as many at bats, as he homered in his final at bat of Friday night’s game as well.

In the second inning, Rutgers extended their lead with an RBI single to center field off the bat of Chris Brito. A solo home run in the fourth increased the Rutgers advantage to 6-1, before Brito launched the Scarlet Knights’ second grand slam of the game to put the score at 10-1.

The Scarlet Knights added four more runs in the seventh on a bases loaded walk followed by a bases clearing three-run triple hit by Jordan Sweeney to make it a 14-1 ballgame. The final two Rutgers runs came in the eighth on a two-run shot off the bat of Ryan Lasko to put the score at 16-1.

Gophers freshman Cody Kelly made a strong impression in his first career start, collecting his first collegiate hit with a fourth inning double to left field. Kelly also recorded an outfield assist in the sixth inning by throwing out a Rutgers runner attempting to stretch a single into a double. The freshman went 2-for-4 on the night with a pair doubles.

Starting pitcher J.P. Massey was saddled with the loss after throwing three-plus innings on the mound for Minnesota. Massey allowed five earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five.

Pitching behind Massey, freshmen pitchers Noah DeLuga and Brett Bateman both made their collegiate debuts for Minnesota. Both hurlers struck out their first career batters on Saturday evening. Brett Bateman recorded the first out of the seventh and Drew Hmielewski was on the mound for the final two thirds of the inning. Danny Kapala entered in the eighth to pitch the final two innings for the Gophers and recorded three strikeouts.

Rutgers starting pitcher Ben Wereski was credited with the win, tossing six innings and allowing just one run on three hits. Wereski compiled five strikeouts.

Quotable“We did not execute the basic fundamentals on the mound or in the batter’s box,” head coach John Anderson said. “When you have breakdowns in the fundamentals of the game it is difficult to play at a consistent high level. We will regroup and make some adjustments for the doubleheader day tomorrow.”Notable Zack Raabe homered in the first inning, marking back-to-back at bats with a home run dating back to last night’s game against Rutgers. His two home runs in his first two games of 2021 marks a new career high, as they represent his second and third career homers.

Freshmen Brett Bateman, Noah DeLuga and Cody Kelly all made their collegiate debuts for Minnesota. Bateman and DeLuga recorded their first career strikeouts, while Kelly registered his first college hit with a fourth inning double.

Up Next Minnesota hosts Rutgers again at 2 p.m. CT on Sunday, followed by a second game against Indiana at 6 p.m. CT. Both games will be played at U.S. Bank Stadium and streamed live on BTN+.