Sophomore Gavin Kuzniewski limited Minnesota to 2 runs on 1 hit over five innings, striking out 10 hitters to claim his second win of the season. (Press Pros Feature Photos)
For the second weekend in a row starter Gavin Kuzniewski warmed to the task, striking out 10 Minnesota hitters over five innings to lead Ohio State to a 4-3 series-opening win.
Minneapolis, MN – Imagine the irony of the Ohio State Buckeyes, and their pitching staff, allowing Minnesota just 3 runs on 3 hits in chilly Minneapolis Friday to win the opening game of their three-game series with the Golden Gophers.
And imagine the starting consistency over the past two weeks of sophomore starter Gavin Kuzniewski, who allowed just two runs on two hits over the first five innings Friday, while striking out 10 Minnesota hitters with the curveball. And yes, he’s got a good one. Kuzniewski struck out 10 of the 15 outs he recorded before leaving the game with a 4-2 lead.
Imgaine more, if you will, the Buckeye bullpen securing that 4-2 lead over the final four innings, allowing just one run in the eighth inning, on one hit, while striking out seven. They walked a few, yes. But in the end Lincoln McVickers, Jake Michalak, Luke Carrell and Ryan Zamora threw enough strikes to button down an encouraging win and raise the Buckeyes season record to 11 wins against 13 losses…2-5 in the Big Ten.
The big hits came from catcher Mason Eckelman, who homered to right field in the fourth inning to tie the game at 2-2; and then in the top of the sixth Henry Kaczmar homered to right with one one to give the Buckeyes a 4-2 lead.
In succession then, McVickers, Michalak, Carrell and Zamora combined for one run allowed in the bottom of the eighth (Michalak), before Ryan Zamora recorded the final out, securing Kuzniewski’s second win of the season.
Ohio State won it with 4 runs on just 4 hits and committed two errors.
Minnesota lost it with 3 runs on 3 hits and had one error.
The two teams meat again today with a 3 PM (ET) start time, and you can watch it on the Big10 Plus network.
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