Minnesota Crookston at Washburn
Sat., Feb. 14 at Falley Field in Topeka, Kan.
Live Stats

CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota of Minnesota Crookston will officially open up the 2015 season with one nine-inning game against Washburn University Sat., Feb. 14 at 12 p.m. at Falley Field in Topeka, Kan. The game will serve as the UMC coaching debut of Steve Gust, who enters his first season leading the Golden Eagles.

Minnesota Crookston will play their second game against Washburn Mon., Feb. 23 at 12 p.m. at Falley Field in Topeka, Kan. after playing games against Bethany Ccollege and Benedictine University at Springfield Sun., Feb. 22 in Lindsborg, Kan.

UMC returns their leading hitter from 2014 as junior Ryan Haggstrom (1B/P, Apple Valley, Minn./Accounting) returns after hitting .359 with 26 runs scored, seven doubles, four triples and 20 runs batted in. In addition to Haggstrom, Patrick Higgins (So., OF, Eagan, Minn./Criminal Justice) hit .266 last season with 20 runs scored, four doubles, one triple and 10 runs batted in.

On the mound, the Golden Eagles return Richie Navratil (Sr., RHP, Blansko, Czech Republic/Management), who set the school record for innings pitched with 67 last season. Navratil had 30 strikeouts in 10 starts last season for UMC.

Minnesota Crookston returns two starting pitchers from last season and six pitchers who logged innings. In the field, UMC returns six starters from the 2014 roster. The Golden Eagles have added 16 players to the roster for the 2015 season and have two players that redshirted the 2014 season.

Washburn University went 26-24 last season. The Ichabods are also led by a first-year head coach with Harley Douglas, a former Washburn assistant coach, taking over for Steve Anson, the 35-year head coach of the Ichabods who passed away following the 2014 season.

The Ichabods return five starters from their 2014 line-up. Washburn is led by junior third baseman Kyle Carnahan, who hit .395 with 43 runs scored, eight doubles, four triples and 37 runs batted in last season. In addition to Carnahan, Wes Jones batted .343 with 29 runs scored, six doubles and 17 runs batted in.

On the mound, righty Maustin Otterstatter returns for the Ichabods after going 4-4 with a 3.00 earned runs average in 39 innings pitched, mostly out of the bullpen. In addition, senior righty Eric Schmid returns after going 1-3 in 10 starts with a 3.76 ERA.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.
 
Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics.
 
The University of Minnesota, Crookston is an NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern
Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).
 
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