MINNEAPOLIS (Interstat) — In a game that defied its early script, the Minnesota Golden Gophers erupted for 14 unanswered runs to overcome a five-run deficit and rout the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 16-7 on Wednesday at Siebert Field.

The contest turned decisively in the bottom of the sixth inning, which proved to be the most important part of the game. Trailing 7-6, the Golden Gophers sent 12 batters to the plate and scored six runs to seize control. The frame featured four hits, three walks, a hit batter, and a sacrifice fly, showcasing a relentless offensive approach that the Jackrabbits’ bullpen could not contain.

The comeback negated a powerful start by South Dakota State (9-20), which built a 7-2 lead by the third inning, largely on the strength of a second-inning grand slam by designated hitter Luke Luskey. His blast to left field off reliever Joe Sperry scored three, capping a five-run outburst.

Minnesota (19-13) began chipping away in the fifth, scoring four times, highlighted by a two-run single from right fielder Charlie Sutherland. Then came the pivotal sixth. With the bases loaded and one out, Jack Akin and Jack Mosh drew back-to-back walks to force in two runs and give Minnesota its first lead at 9-7. Sam Hunt added a sacrifice fly before the inning ended with the Golden Gophers ahead 11-7.

They continued to pour it on, adding three runs in the seventh and two more in the eighth. Sutherland was the offensive catalyst, going 3 for 5 with five RBIs, including two more on a single in the eighth. Weber Neels drove in three runs on a 3-for-5 day, while Ty Allen went 2 for 3 with three RBIs. Davis Hamilton started the scoring for Minnesota with a solo home run in the first inning.

The offensive explosion overshadowed a brilliant relief outing by South Dakota State’s Dylan Richardson, who entered in the second inning and threw three perfect frames, striking out two. For Minnesota, the bullpen combination of Caden Capomaccio, Logan Winkelman, and Adam Urban was dominant, combining for seven innings of three-hit, one-run ball while striking out nine. Winkelman was particularly sharp, fanning five of the six batters he faced in the sixth and seventh innings.

The result flipped the projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had predicted a 4-3 South Dakota State victory, though the system’s ELO rating gave Minnesota a 74.8% probability to win. It also avenged a 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Jackrabbits on March 7 in the teams’ only other meeting this season.

South Dakota State, which managed only six hits total after its early output, next travels to face Saint Thomas (Minn.) for a three-game series beginning Friday. Minnesota, winners in four of its last five, opens a three-game home set against Washington on Friday.