Top-Seeded Gophers Hold Off Spartans 3-2 In Big 10 Tournament

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Eli Wilson drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth inning and Minnesota pitchers limited Michigan State to five hits in a 3-2 victory in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday night.

The top-seeded Gophers (38-13) have won 22 of 25 games and will play Thursday night against the winner of the late game between Indiana and Illinois. The eighth-seeded Spartans (20-31) meet the Indiana-Illinois loser in an elimination game.

Wilson singled to left center off Mitchell Tyranski (2-2) to drive in Ben Mezzenga, who had doubled and taken third on a wild pitch. Mezzenga was called safe at third, though television replays showed Zach Iverson tagged him before he touched the bag.

Brett Schulze (9-0) pitched 3 2/3 shutout innings in relief of starter Jake Stevenson, and freshman closer Max Meyer got the last five outs for his conference-leading 15th save.