Missouri State University

Three Minnesota pitchers combined for a five-hit shutout and the Golden Gophers scored two runs in the seventh and eighth innings on the way to a 4-0 victory over the Missouri State baseball team Friday night at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

The Gophers finally broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the seventh. With runners on first and second and one out, Kyle Baran hit a chopper to second that got through Matt Lawson and allowed Mike Mee to score from second. Following a fielder’s choice that put runners on the corners, Ross Detwiler tossed a wild pitch that let Nate Hanson score and give Minnesota a 2-0 lead.

The Gophers strung together three walks and two singles to score two more runs in the eighth, knocking Detwiler out of the game after 7.1 innings and seven strikeouts. The junior took the loss and fell to 1-1, allowing four runs, two earned.

Minnesota starter Ethan Vogt went 5.2 innings, allowing four hits and coming away with a no-decision. Marcus McKenzie earned the win, tossing 2.1 innings of one-hit relief.

The Bears stranded eight baserunners, and advanced only one man past second base.

The Bears and Gophers play game two of the series tomorrow at 2:05 p.m.