March 5, 2010

Box Score

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Sophomore Alex Guthrie broke a 3-3 tie with a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning as LMU (2-7) defeated Minnesota (2-6) 4-3 at the 2010 Dairy Queen Classic on Friday. The three-day tournament, which is hosted by Minnesota, is being played at the Metrodome.

Guthrie, who finished 2-for-4, hit his team-leading third home run of the season with two out in the top of the ninth. Matt Koch, Matt Lowenstein and Ryan Hawthorne each collected doubles in LMU's two-run seventh inning, while Koch drove in the Lions' first run of the game with a groundout in the fourth. With hits on Friday, Jonathan Johnson, Koch and Lowenstein each extended their hitting streaks. Johnson has now hit safely in eight games, while Koch and Lowenstein have hit safely in four.

Martin Viramontes surrendered three runs in the bottom of the first inning, all coming on one swing of the bat from Michael Kvasnicka. Kvasnicka, who finished 2-for-2 with a three-run homer, a double, a run scored, three RBI and two walks, provided all of Minnesota's offense, as LMU's pitching shutout the Golden Gophers over the final eight frames. Viramontes finished the game with six innings pitched, allowing three runs on three hits, four walks and a hit-by-pitch, while striking out eight. Jordan McClintick was the first Lion reliever used on Friday, tossing an inning and a third scoreless, including two strikeouts. After Matt Florer walked the only batter he faced, junior Chris Eusebio dealt an inning and two-thirds scoreless to earn his first victory of the season.

Right-hander Seth Rosin was strong as Minnesota's starter, lasting six innings and allowing just one run on two hits and striking out eight. Scott Fern relieved Rosin, but ran into trouble, surrendering three runs on five hits and a walk en route to taking his first loss of the season.

Things did not start well for the Lions, as Viramontes issued a walk to the leadoff man in the first. Matt Puhl followed with his only hit of the day on a hit-and-run to put runners at the corners, setting the table for Kvasnicka's three-run shot to centerfield. Viramontes settled down from there, punching-out four straight, including the side in order in the second. He faced just one batter over the minimum (16) in his five innings after the first, benefitting from a pair of runners caught stealing.

LMU scored its first run in the fourth, as Johnson led things off with a double to extend his hitting streak to eight straight games. Jason Barmasse followed with a ground ball to third that allowed Johnson to move up 90 feet. Koch collected the RBI on the ensuing play, punching a ground ball to shortstop to bring home the run.

A Koch double set the tone in the two-run seventh, as LMU knotted the tally at three runs. After Koch legged-out a hustle double on a ball hit into left field, Lowenstein doubled through the right side to bring home Koch. Hawthorne contributed the third double of the frame two batters later, lining a pitch down the left field line to send home the tying run.

Fern seemed to be cruising in the ninth as he retired the first two hitters in order, but Guthrie had other plans for the night, belting a fastball into the left centerfield seats for what proved to be a game-winning home run. Minnesota managed to put the tying run at third base in the ninth, but Eusebio induced a ground ball to shortstop to end the potential threat.

The Lions return to action tomorrow when they play Northwestern at 10 a.m. PT.