CROOKSTON, Minn.- When Steve Gust inherited the job in June, it seemed like a tough task to turn around a University of Minnesota Crookston team that had won two games in two seasons but after his first season, the first steps seem to have been taken. The Golden Eagles picked up a sweep of Minot State University with 4-2 and 7-3 wins Wednesday at UMC Baseball Field. The victories leave the Golden Eagles with a 14-36 (8-26 NSIC) mark overall. The 14 wins surpassed the previous high of 10 wins in 2012, while the eight conference victories surpassed seven NSIC wins in 2003. The sweep over Minot State was also the first doubleheader sweep of an NSIC opponent since 2003.

The Golden Eagles were guided by the play of their two starters who put together strong outings on the bump for UMC. Jarad Nelson (Jr., RHP, Karlstad, Minn./Education) would get his fourth win of the season, which ranks second all-time in a career and season, as he went seven innings and allowed just two earned runs on nine hits with two strikeouts as he worked efficiently in the 4-2 win.

Nolan Wahlberg (Jr., RHP, Blaine, Minn./Criminal Justice) did what he has done most of the season as he put it all out on the line, throwing a complete game with 143 pitches. Wahlberg would pick up his school record sixth win, finishing the year with a 6-4 mark. He went nine innings and allowed three earned runs on nine hits.

Minot State would get on the board first in what would be a fast-moving pitcher's duel in Crookston.

Jared Young would single to drive in Kyle Williamson for the Beavers to make it 1-0.

The Golden Eagles though would come through with a big fifth inning, beginning with a Dalton Parks (Jr., OF, West Valley City, Utah/Sports and Rec Management) single to drive in Jesse Jennings (Sr., OF, Robinsdale, Minn./Criminal Justice). The onslaught would continue when Ryan Haggstrom (Jr., 1B/RHP, Accounting) came through in the clutch with a single to drive in Parks and Patrick Higgins (So., OF, Eagan, Minn./Criminal Justice). The inning wasn't over thought as Kenny Perez (Jr.. IF/DH, Orlando, Fla./Health Science) would deliver a big hit, driving in Haggstrom to make it 4-1.

The Beavers would add one late as Jordan Schulz singled to drive in Williamson.

Austin Zorn pitched well in the loss for Minot State, going six innings and giving up four runs, none of them earned, on six hits.

UMC's bats were led by Parks, who was 2-of-3 with an RBI and a run scored, and Haggstrom, who was 1-of-2 with two RBI's and one run scored.

Game two would be a it of a different story as Minot State would get to Wahlberg a bit early and have the early momentum against the Golden Eagle ace.

Schulz would start things off with a two-run home run to drive in Nick Hammerl.

The Golden Eagles got a run back in the first as Parks scored on a double play, but that is all she wrote in that half-inning for UMC.

The Beavers added a run in the second as Caleb Fornshell hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Austin Berntson to make it 3-1.

UMC would get withing 3-2 in the third as Ethan Mushitz (Fr., 2B/SS, East Grand Forks, Minn./Criminal Justice) showed the potential he has, drilling his second home run of the season.
After Minot State went to Lane Biggs in their pen, UMC would add moer runs with a big seventh inning to take over the lead from their counterparts. Haggstrom would continue what would be a 6-of-8 day with a single to drive in Higgins. Perez then continued his strong day with a doule to right center to drive in haggstrom and Mushitz.

The Golden Eagles would add security runs in the eighth. Higgin would come through with a single to drive in Thomas Kinsella (Jr., IF, North Branch, Minn./Sports and Rec Management). Mushitz then singled to drive in Zach Frazier (R-Fr., C, Grand Rapids, Minn./Natural Resources).

Minot State would look to threaten a tired Wahlberg in the ninth as Micah Holmen doubled with one out and Fornshell walked. But two big outs from Wahlberg would deliver the Golden Eagles the win.UMC was led on game two by Mushitz, who was 3-of-4 with two RBI's and two runs scored, while Haggstrom was 3-of-5 with one RBI and one run scored.
The season of bests didn't stop with the win-loss record.

Colton Haight (Jr., C/OF, Rogers, Minn./Sports and Rec Management) and Haggstrom each tied for the season record for runs scored with 38. Haggstrom also set the mark for hits in a season with 65. Perez finished a huge first year in the Maroon and Gold with a single-season est 18 doubles and 37 RBI's, while Parks shattered the walks record with 38.

The Golden Eagles will return a core that includes 25 players from next season but will miss four seniors who were great leaders and played great roles in the quick turnaround.

Jesse Jennings (Sr., OF, Robbinsdale, Minn./Criminal Justice) was the lone four-year senior and put together his best season in the Maroon and Gold, hitting .327, good for third on the team. Richie Navratil (Sr., RHP, Blansko, Czech Republic/Management) appeared in 36 innings with eight starts on the year. Alan Frank (Sr., LHP, St. Michael, Minn./Applied Studies) was away from the team for three seasons but still a student on campus, but came right in and was a leader, appearing in 34.1 innings pitched with 16 appearances. Travis Magdzas (Sr., OF/DH, Duluth, Minn./Criminal Justice) didn't have the senior season he had hoped for with just one pinch-run appearance due to an injury, however Magdzas was the ultimate teammate, coached first base and was often the first person to practice despite his injury. In addition, Jennings, Magdzas and Navratil were all honored as NSIC Myles Brand Academic with Distinction recipients for maintaining a 3.75 GPA in the classroom.

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

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The University of Minnesota Crookston is a NCAA Division II university located in the Red River Valley of Northwest Minnesota. UMC sponsors 11 intercollegiate athletic teams with membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate conference (NSIC) and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). The NSIC is a 16-team conference with schools situated in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.