TOPEKA, Kan.– The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball program dropped their season opener 20-2 to Washburn University Saturday afternoon at Falley Field in Topeka, Kan. The Golden Eagles fall to 0-1 on the season as UMC Head Coach Steve Gust coached his first game with UMC. Washburn improves to 3-0 on the year.

The Golden Eagles were led by Ryan Haggstrom (Jr., 1B/P, Apple Valley, Minn./Accounting), who was 3-for-4 with one run batted in. Dalton Parks (Jr., OF, West Valley City, Utah/Sports and Rec Management) went 1-for-3 with one run scored, Kenny Perez (Jr., DH, Orlando, Fla./Health Science) went 1-for-3, as well, as did Colt Trebesch (Jr., IF, Glencoe, Minn./Elementary Education). Jesse Jennings (Sr., OF, Robbinsdale, Minn./Criminal Justice) was 1-for-1 on the game, as was Ethan Mushitz (Fr., IF, East Grand Forks, Minn./Criminal Justice).

UMC used as many pitchers as they could to try to figure out as much as they could about the staff and give each pitcher a stint as they face temperatures in the mid 30's with an 18 mile per hour wind.

 Richie Navratil (Sr., RHP, Blansko, Czech Republic/Management) got the start and went one inning, giving up no earned runs but two runs on two hits. Trevor Buttermore (Jr., RHP, North St. Paul, Minn./Criminal Justice) also had a solid outing, going one inning and giving up no runs, while Jarad Nelson (Jr., P, Karlstad, Minn./Elementary Education) also went an inning and gave up one run on one hit. Cody Pamperin (So., RHP, Shakopee, Minn./Golf and Turf Management) gave up one run on two hits. Nolan Wahlberg (Jr., RHP, Blaine, Minn./Criminal Justice) pitched one inning of shutout baseball, giving up just one hit.

The Golden Eagles would hold their own early on, down just 4-1 in the fourth inning. UMC's first run of the game would come in the top of the fourth as Haggstrom singled to drive in Parks.

Washburn would extend their lead to 9-1 in the fifth led by Tanner Johnson's 2 RBI double to drive in Conner Crimmins and Corey Gragg. The Ichabods would break the game open with 10 runs in the sixth inning to extend their advantage to 19-1.

UMC would get their second run of the game in the seventh as Mushitz hit a pinch-hit single to drive home Patrick Higgins (So., OF, Eagan, Minn./Criminal Justice).

Washburn was led on the game by Johnson, who was 3-for-4 with three RBI's and one run scored. David Gauntt was 2-for-5 with a home run and one run scored. Kyle Carnahan was 2-for-4 with two RBI's and four runs scored.

Eric Schmid got the start and led the way for the Ichabods, going three innings and giving up one earned run on one hit. Hank Wellborn pitched two innings of shutout baseball with just two hits allowed. Wellborn would earn the win for Washburn.

The Golden Eagles will return to the diamond next weekend as they take on Benedictine University at Sprinfield and Bethany College Feb. 22 in Lindsborg, Kan. and play the second game of a series against Washburn Mon., Feb. 23.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.
 
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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).