Offensive woes continue at Minnesota

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MINNEAPOLIS – Three Minnesota pitchers combined to limit South Dakota State to two hits, shutting out the Jackrabbits, 1-0, in nonconference baseball action Wednesday night at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The Golden Gophers improved to 7-2 overall, while SDSU dropped to 0-7 on the young season.

Minnesota scored what would be the only run of the game in bottom of the first as Luke Pettersen led off with a single, stole second, moved to third on a balk and scored on a groundout off the bat of Terrin Vavra. Pettersen, who was 3-for-4 and stole two bases, was the only Golden Gopher to record a hit in the game.

Minnesota starter Joshua Culliver struck out three and walked two in five no-hit innings to earn the victory.

The Jackrabbits finally cracked the hit column with two outs in the seventh, when Josh Falk lined a solid single to left field for a base hit. Phil Velez added a single to left in the eighth for the other SDSU hit.

Jeff Fasching, who allowed both SDSU hits, struck out two batters in three shutout innings, while Max Meyer worked around a two-out walk in the ninth, to earn the save.

SDSU pitchers were equal to the task the rest of the way. Kuhlmann finished with one strikeout and did not walk a batter in his three innings of work. Brett Mogen, Austin Suhr and Alex Marro followed with one scoreless inning each, while Bryce Johnson finished on the mound with two shutout frames.

NOTES: Minnesota leads the all-time series, 33-12. ... The Golden Gophers have won the last three meetings between the two squads, with all the games played in Minneapolis. ... Kuhlmann has struck out six and not walked a batter in 9 1/3 innings pitched so far this season. ... Tony Kjolsing, who drew the walk in the ninth inning, has now reached base safely in 21 consecutive games dating back to the 2017 season. ... SDSU pitchers combined to issue only one walk. ... Time of the game was 1 hour and 57 minutes.

UP NEXT: The Jackrabbits open a three-game series at Southeast Missouri State on Friday. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Photo from www.gojacks.com.