The Gopher Baseball team earned its first team shutout of the season, knocking off South Dakota State 5-0 on the back of early run production and four pitchers’ effort on Tuesday evening at Siebert Field.
Minnesota (22-23) jumped all over a pair of Jackrabbits pitchers in the first two innings, leading 5-0 after a pair of frames. Easton Bertrand and Eduardo Estrada, Jr. each blasted a double in the first to produce a run, while the Gophers sent 10 batters to the plate in the second. Eli Wilson’s two-run single highlighted the inning while Estrada added his second RBI of the day with a bases-loaded walk.
On the mound, J.P. Massey faced the minimum of batters through three, forcing a double play to end the third with an error on the Minnesota infield producing the lone base runner. South Dakota State (24-18) broke up the no-hit bid when Nick Smith lined a single to center with one out in the fourth. Massey finished with 4.1 innings pitched, allowing just two hits and struck out three but walked four.
The Gopher bullpen continued to dominate in the back half of the game. Nick Lackney (2-3) struck out four in 1.2 innings, continuing his scoreless streak at home. Nolan Burchill tossed a pair of shutout innings, and Bubba Horton struck out the side in the ninth to complete the shutout.
Brady Stover (1-4) suffered the defeat on the hill for SDSU, allowing four runs in 1+ inning.
NOTABLE
Zack Raabe and Wilson each collected two hits on the day for the Maroon & Gold … South Dakota State had not been held off the scoreboard since a 1-0 defeat at Oral Roberts on March 22 … Minnesota earned its first shutout since Reggie Meyer tossed a complete game for the Gophers in last year’s Big Ten Tournament on May 24, 2018.
UP NEXT
Minnesota continues its home stand on Wednesday as the Gophers welcome Omaha to Siebert Field for $1 Dog Night. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m.
(info and photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)