Micah Coffey’s RBI double in the 10th inning proved to be the game-winning hit to give the Gophers a 3-2 victory over UCLA the Minneapolis Regional of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday night.
Minnesota, the No. 1 seed in the four-team regional, is now just one win Sunday from advancing to the NCAA Super Regional round for the first time since 1977, which was also their last appearance in the College World Series.
Trailing 2-1 in the eighth inning, shortstop Terrin Vavra led off with a double and came around to score the tying run on a single by Eli Wilson. Vavra scored the winning run in the 10th as well.
Today’s Top Stories
– Lori Swanson loses DFL endorsement for attorney general
– After all the hype, Gophers QB Viramontes leaves the program
“I just kept telling the guys the last few innings: Siebert Field. Siebert Field magic. We’ve won a lot of games this way in my career here, at the old Siebert Field and now here,” said Gophers coach John Anderson, via GopherSports.com. “Just keep believing in Siebert Field magic. Give ourselves chances to win and we’ll find a way.”
The victory sets the stage for huge Sunday.
At 2 p.m., UCLA plays Gonzaga in an elimination game, with the winner advancing to play the Gophers in the final at 6 p.m. It’s double elimination and Minnesota has yet to lose, so they’re sitting pretty.
If Minnesota loses Sunday they will play again Monday at 6 p.m. for all the marbles.
