March 7, 2008
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Kevin Atkinson and Mike Brownstein recorded two hits each against Minnesota (3-4) on Friday night, but the Golden Gophers topped the Lobos, 7-3, in the first round of the Metrodome Tournament at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.
Atkinson, a junior from Surrey, British Columbia, knocked a single up the middle in the top of the fourth to score Brownstein and cut the Minnesota lead to 2-1.
Lobo starter Bobby LaFromboise (2-1) struggled in the fourth inning, giving up four hits, four runs and a walk, before getting Jeremy Chlan to strike out and end the inning with Minnesota up, 6-1.
LaFromboise lasted another inning and was the pitcher of record when the Lobos made an offensive push in the top of the sixth.
Shortstop Scott Gracey started the inning with a single to left, followed by a Brownstein single to right center to put Gracey in scoring position. Max Willett scored Gracey on a sacrifice fly to cut the score to 6-2.
Atkinson got his second hit of the game, doubling Brownstein into scoring position. Matt Hibbitts picked up an RBI on a ground out to short to score Brownstein, making the score 6-3.
Will Kerr held Minnesota to only one unearned run in relief for the Lobos, 7-3.
Tom Buske (1-0) picked up the win for Minnesota, while Scott Mayas earned his first save of the season.
The Lobos (7-4) will face Northern Iowa on Saturday, March 8 at 12 p.m. (MST).