Article: Get To Know: Gophers RHP Brian Glowicki (And Gophers Notes)

[Seth Stohs]

The Gophers played a home series in Minnesota for the first time since the days of the Metrodome. They helped open up US Bank Stadium with a three-game series against Seattle University. Read at the bottom for more on the three games and upcoming Gophers games.

 

Before getting to more details on the series and other Gophers notes, let’s get to know a little more about Gophers senior closer Brian Glowicki. The right-hander grew up in Illinois and went to the same high school as Twins relief prospect Nick Burdi. He played with Burdi’s brother and top White Sox relief prospect Zach Burdi. But Glowicki is going to make a name for himself in the Minnesota bullpen this season.Over the weekend, he was on the mound for the final outs in two of the three Gopher wins. Take a few minutes to learn about Brian Glowicki.

 

Seth Stohs (SS): Growing up in Illinois, who was your favorite team and who were some of your favorite ballplayers?

 

Brian Glowicki (BG): My dad has been a huge Boston fan for as long as I can remember so the Red Sox have always been my favorite team. I loved watching Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz and Pedro Martinez.

 

SS: What were some of the highlights of your high school career? Did you play with or against the Burdi Brothers?

 

BG: Winning the regional championship my senior year is a moment that I will always remember. And I went to the same high school as them. Zack is actually one of my best friends and I've played baseball and even football with him since we were in third grade or so. I don't believe I ever played with Nick Burdi but I watched him play a lot in high school.

 

SS: What was it about the University of Minnesota that made you decide to play for the Gophers?

 

BG: I really appreciated the way they went about recruiting and how the University of Minnesota had such a family atmosphere to it.

 

SS: Have you played summer ball through your college years?

 

BG: Yes, my sophomore and junior year summers I played in the Northwoods League for the St. Cloud Rox.

 

SS: Which pitches do you throw, and what makes you successful on the mound?

 

BG: I throw a 4-seam fastball, changeup and slider. I think most of my success comes from how competitive I am. I have the mindset that I am not going to back down from anyone which helps me attack hitters.

 

SS: What have been some of the highlights of your time with the Gophers?

 

BG: Everything about the 2016 season is a highlight. Winning the B1G and making a regional will be two moments I'll never forget. Also, in 2015 when we played against the Minnesota Twins at their spring training complex was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

 

SS: What are your goals for the 2017 season?

 

BG: My goals for the 2017 season are just to build on the success we had as a team last year. Last year we created a great culture within the team and this year I'd like to see us build on that as well as learn from some of the mistakes we made.

 

SS: What is your major, and what are your career goals going forward? (How does baseball fit into that equation?)

 

BG: I am majoring in kinesiology and with that I plan on eventually coaching baseball. I have also put some thought into obtaining a business degree and pursuing accounting or financial aid.

 

GOPHER NOTES

 

On Friday night, the Gophers won 13-4. Going into the bottom of the fifth inning, the Gophers were down 3-0. However, they put up four in the fifth, one in the sixth, and four in both the seventh and eighth innings. Matt Stemper went 3-5 and hit the team’s first home run at US Bank Stadium. Toby Hanson went 3-4 with a walk, a double and a triple. He scored and drove in three runs. Alex Boxwell went 3-6. Micah Coffey was 2-5, and Luke Pettersen went 2-4. Lucas Gilbreath struggled again in his second start. The lefty gave up three runs (two earned) on four hits and six walks in just three innings. He struck out five. Tyler Hanson came on and provided 3.2 innings of scoreless relief. (Read Tom Froemmings article from the Friday night game, including video.)

 

Saturday night, the Gophers notched a 6-3 win. Freshman Brett Schulze made his first college start and gave up two runs on one hit in five innings. He walked two and struck out four. Nick Lackney walked four but got through the next 2.2 innings without allowing a run. Brian Glowicki got the final two outs of the game. Semper and Coffey each had two hits. Boxwell had two hits, including a triple. Toby Hanson and Troy Traxler each doubled.

 

Sunday afternoon was again a close game until the late innings. In fact, Seattle scored a run in the top of the seventh to tie the game at seven. But the Gophers scored one in the bottom half and plated three more in the bottom of the eighth. They won 11-7. Jordan Smith led the offense. The senior went 4-5 with a double and four RBI. Luke Pettersen went 3-4 with a walk. Toby Hanson went 3-5 with a double. Freshman Eli Wilson made his first start and went 2-3 with a walk. Toby Anderson worked the first five innings. He gave up five runs. Alex Farley made his college debut and got the two batters he faced out. Brian Glowicki got the final five outs for the save.

• Junior Luke Pettersen went 5-8 with a walk in the series. The Minnetonka grad is now 13-17 on the season, a solid .765 average.
• Junior Toby Hanson was the star of the weekend. The first baseman from Delano went 7-13 in the series with three doubles and a triple.
• Along with the Gophers first home run in US Bank Stadium, catcher Matt Stemper went 5-14 in the series.
• Senior Jordan Smith went 5-11 (.455) with two walks and two doubles in the series. The Eden Prairie native plays left field for the Gophers.

NEXT UP

 

The Gophers will play a single game on Tuesday night at US Bank Stadium at 6:00 p.m. After sweeping a four-game series at Mississippi Valley State last weekend, the Bison were swept this weekend at Abilene Christian. The Bison have 23 players on their roster who went to high school in Minnesota.

 

Tyler Oakes in the NDSU pitching coach. He spent four years pitching under his father Todd Oakes at the University of Minnesota. He was a starter one season and worked out of the bullpen three seasons. He went undrafted and spent one season with the Rays Appy League team. This is his fourth year as the Bison pitching coach. He also became their recruiting coordinator last summer.

 

On Thursday the Gophers will play a game against Hawaii. Then Friday through Sunday, US Bank Stadium will host the Dairy Queen Classic. The four-team tournament returns and features Oral Roberts, Hawaii and Iowa.

 

I remember going to the Dairy Queen Classic when I was in high school. Georgia Tech was one of the teams in the tournament, so I saw Nomar Garciaparra and Jason Varitek. If you’re able, be sure to check out a Gophers game this week. There are five options!!

 

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