Gophers Baseball Showing Real Promise to Open 2026

Minnesota has opened the season with back-to-back wins.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The University of Minnesota baseball team has gotten off to a strong start in the 2026 season, winning their first two games against Stetson and St. John's in Florida. The Gophers defeated Stetson 11-5 on Friday and then shut out St. John's 8-0 on Saturday, showcasing an impressive offensive and pitching performance in both contests.

Why it matters

Minnesota's early-season success is an encouraging sign for the program as they look to build on last year's performance under second-year head coach Ty McDevitt. The Gophers are hoping to make a push for the NCAA Tournament after narrowly missing out in 2025.

The details

In the win over Stetson, junior Charlie Sutherland hit two home runs and drove in four runs, while Jack Spanier and Easton Richter also had strong offensive showings. On Saturday against St. John's, Texas A&M transfer Isaac Morton pitched six shutout innings, and Richter and Louisville transfer Michael Lippe led the way at the plate.

  • The Gophers opened the season on Friday, February 14, 2026 with an 11-5 win over Stetson.
  • On Saturday, February 15, 2026, Minnesota defeated St. John's 8-0.

The players

Ty McDevitt

The head coach of the University of Minnesota baseball team, entering his second season.

Charlie Sutherland

A junior on the Minnesota baseball team who hit two home runs in the season-opening win over Stetson.

Isaac Morton

A Texas A&M transfer who made his first start for the Gophers, pitching six shutout innings in the win over St. John's.

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What they’re saying

“The college baseball season is a marathon and not a sprint, but Minnesota has shown some encouraging signs to start year two under head coach Ty McDevitt.”

— Tony Liebert (si.com)

What’s next

Minnesota has one more game in DeLand against Ball State on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. CT before making its way to Fort Myers. The Gophers will play Florida Gulf Coast on Wednesday, before taking on the Minnesota Twins in an exhibition on Friday night. They will play Northeastern on Saturday and Sunday to round out their trip to the Sunshine State. Their first games in Minnesota will be the following week against Kansas at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The takeaway

Minnesota's impressive start to the 2026 season, with back-to-back wins over quality opponents, suggests the Gophers could be a team to watch in college baseball this year as they look to build on last season and make a push for the NCAA Tournament.