ROUND ROCK, Texas - The University of Minnesota claimed its first victory of the Karbach Round Rock Classic with a 10-4 win over No. 7 Oregon State, marking its first win against a ranked opponent since May 12, 2023.
The game began as a pitchers’ duel, staying true to the tournament’s theme. Oregon State sophomore Ethan Kleinschmit carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning, while Minnesota senior Justin Thorsteinson, a former Beaver, allowed just one run on two hits over four and two-thirds innings, striking out five.
Oregon State struck first but was quickly overshadowed when Minnesota took the lead in the fourth. Junior Jake Elbeery sparked a two-out rally with a single, followed by junior Drew Berkland’s two-run homer on an 0-2 count, narrowly clearing the right-field fence for the Golden Gophers’ first lead.
Minnesota’s offense exploded in the seventh. After a walk and a fielding error, freshman Jameson Martin launched a 415-foot three-run homer to left—the first of his career—cementing Minnesota’s momentum.
Oregon State rallied in the seventh, determined to stay in the game. Junior Canon Reeder walked, followed by sophomore Trent Caraway’s RBI double. Junior Aiva Arquette then added a two-run homer, cutting the deficit to four, but that was all the Beavers could muster.
Defensively, both teams shined with highlight-reel plays. Berkland made a spectacular backward diving catch, while Oregon State’s junior Easton Talt robbed Minnesota’s Easton Richter of a home run with a leaping grab in the first.
Minnesota’s bullpen held firm despite Oregon State’s rallies. Junior Caden Capomaccio allowed one hit in a brief fifth-inning appearance, senior Seth Clausen gave up three runs over two innings, and junior Joe Sperry closed the door.
For Oregon State, Kleinschmit’s strong start was undone by Minnesota’s offense. Junior Kellan Oakes and freshman James DeCremer combined to allow eight runs in an inning and a third. Head coach Mitch Canham said Kleinschmit didn’t pitch poorly but noted he threw too many pitches early: “Not bad, the first couple of guys had four full counts, I think. He showed them a lot of pitches… I told him to make them put the ball in play instead of dancing around.”
Minnesota added insurance in the eighth when senior Josh Fitzgerald, who moved down the lineup six spots, homered on the first pitch. Sophomore Jack Spanier and senior Parker Knoll then singled, setting up Richter’s two-run single to right, pushing the lead to six.
Oregon State’s late push fell short as Minnesota’s bullpen and defense held firm to seal the 10-4 victory. The Beavers (5-2) will travel to Arlington, Texas, to play Baylor University next week, while Minnesota (2-4) heads to Tempe, Arizona, to face Arizona State University.