Junior Kris Hokenson racked up four RBIs to help propel the Minnesota Golden Gophers over the North Dakota State Bison 9-2 on Tuesday. Freshman Adam Urban (2-0) got the win out of the bullpen for Minnesota (17-17). The right-hander went 3.2 shutout innings, giving up three hits, no walks and striking out five. Senior Eli Sundquist also pitched well, going 1.1 shutout innings without allowing a hit, walking one and striking out two. Hokenson went 1-for-3 with a home run in addition to his four RBIs for the Golden Gophers. Junior Easton Richter put together a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, a walk and three RBI. Senior Jake Perry also contributed for Minnesota, putting together two hits in five trips to the plate while adding an RBI.
Hokenson
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Gophers were trailing 1-0 in the first inning when they first put runs on the board. Minnesota plated two runs when Richter left the yard with junior Drew Berkland aboard.
The Golden Gophers then held the Bison scoreless before expanding their lead in the third inning. Minnesota got a grand slam from Hokenson to score all four of their runs in the inning, which brought the score to 6-1 in favor of the Golden Gophers.
Minnesota kept North Dakota State without a run before building their lead to 8-1 the following inning. The Golden Gophers scored twice, with one run coming across on Perry’s single.
The Bison gained ground, closing the gap to 8-2 until Minnesota added some insurance in the eighth. The Golden Gophers scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Richter, bringing the score to 9-2 in favor of Minnesota. The score remained 9-2 for the rest of the game, as the Golden Gophers coasted to the win.
GAME NOTES
» Richter compiled three hits in the game for Minnesota.
» Urban struck out five Bison hitters.
» The Golden Gophers power output was led by Richter, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Hokenson drove in four runs for Minnesota.
» Minnesota grabbed a 2-1 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn’t surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Minnesota went 4-for-12 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Minnesota pitchers limited North Dakota State to just 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
» The Golden Gophers drew seven walks from North Dakota State pitching.
» Richter led the Golden Gophers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBI.
(info and photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
