MINNEAPOLIS – Milwaukee was unable to hold on to a 2-1 lead after the top of the fourth inning, as the host Golden Gophers scored five unanswered over the next two innings to record a 6-2 win.
 
The Panthers scored both of their runs in the top of the fourth inning. Dylan O'Connell walked and stole second before Dominic Kibler drove in the first run of the game for Milwaukee with a single. Kibler later scored on a bunt single by Max Glusick
 
Tristan Arnold got the start for the Panthers and worked through two innings, allowing one run and striking out two. Sotaro Ishida worked around a two-out walk in the third to keep the deficit at one.
 
After Milwaukee took its 2-1 lead in the top half of the fourth, Ishida ran into trouble in the bottom half. The right-hander allowed a pair of walks and a balk, while the defense added a pair of errors behind him as Minnesota scored three runs in the inning to take a 4-2 lead.
 
"It feels a little bit like a record on repeat in that we keep shooting ourselves in the foot with defensive miscues and free bases," said head coach Shaun Wegner. "Ninety feet needs to be tough to achieve for opponents and unfortunately we've handed it out over and over."
 
"The game hung in the balance in the fourth," Wegner added. "We were able to score two runs … we loaded the bases and ended up striking out for the final two outs and did not apply any pressure to their defense. It then spiraled in the bottom where they end up scoring another run for them with our mistakes. It was a huge momentum swing and we couldn't get it back."
 
The Panthers went down in order in the top half of the fifth, and the Gophers capitalized again in the bottom half. Another defensive miscue proved costly, as Minnesota added two more runs to extend its advantage to 6-2.
 
Alex Vander Loop, who entered in the fifth, did not allow a run over 2 2/3 innings of work, striking out one.
 
Despite the effectiveness of both Vander Loop and later Camden Kuhnke on the mound, Milwaukee's offense could not generate a rally. The Panthers had two runners on in the seventh but grounded into a double play. A two-out double in the ninth by Cade Palkowski also failed to spark a comeback.
 
"We face another quality opponent this weekend on a quick turnaround, so we need to find ourselves ready to play Friday," Wegner concluded.
 
Easton Richter led the way on offense for Minnesota with three hits and four RBIs out of the leadoff spot. Caden Capomaccio got the win, pitching 2 2/3 hitless innings in relief for the Gophers with four strikeouts.
 
The Panthers continue their busy week on Friday, opening a three-game series at Southeast Missouri State. First pitch at Capaha Field is set for 3:00 p.m.