CLEARWATER, Fla. – University of Minnesota Crookston closer Zach Seipel (Fr., RHP, Eagan, Minn.) got some help from 6-5 first baseman Ryan Haggstrom (Sr., 1B/RHP, Apple Valley, Minn.) on a liner as the Golden Eagles hung on for a 6-5 win over Bentley University. The Falcons scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth but UMC would hang on as Seipel would get the big out with the bases loaded and earn his second career save.

The Golden Eagles moved to 7-7 on the season, their best start In program history. They have a chance to end their Florida trip with an overall mark over .500, which would be the first time in school history UMC has had a record over .500 through the first 15 games.

Bentley dropped to 5-10 on the season with the loss at Frank Tack Park Fri., March 18. The win also gave UMC the series win against the Falcons with one more game set to be played Sat., March 18 at 11 a.m. C.T. at Frank Tack Park.

Nolan Wahlberg (Sr., RHP, Blaine, Minn.) got the win for the Golden Eagles after going 8.1 innings and giving up five runs, three of them earned, on 10 hits. He had three strikeouts on the game and just one walk. Wahlberg would give up six of his 10 hits in the final two innings of the game, showing his dominance through the first seven innings. He moved to 3-1 on the season with the victory.

Seipel would come on in the tough spot with one out and two on. He would get Rocha to fly out to left field to get the first out. However, he would load up the bases with a walk dealt to Samko to load up the bases. In the next at-bat, Cruz would hit a liner down the first base line, but Haggstrom would use his length to get the ball and put the Falcons away as UMC won their fourth game during their Florida road trip.

The Golden Eagles were led by Haggstrom, who was 2-of-4 with two runs scored. Thomas Kinsella (Sr., IF, North Branch, Minn.) finished 2-of-4 with one RBI. Kenny Perez (Sr., DH/1B, Orlando, Fla.) was 1-of-4 with two RBI's, while Jason Angelo (So., IF, Manteca, Calif.) was 1-of-4 with two RBI's.

UMC would take the lead after two scoreless innings in the third when Zach Frazier (R-So., C, Grand Rapids, Minn.) scored on a wild pitch. Perez then came through with a big hit as he powered one to the wall and drove in Haggstrom and Ethan Mushitz (So., IF, East Grand Forks, Minn.).

The Golden Eagles extended their lead to 5-0 in the fourth as Angelo singled to drive in Colton Haight (Sr., C/OF, Rogers, Minn.) and Reed Hjelle (Fr., 1B/OF, East Grand Forks, Minn.).

Bentley would cut the lead to 5-1 in the sixth when Cruz hit an infield single to drive in Neshe.

UMC would get what would end up being the game-winning run as Kinsella came through with a big single to left field to drive in Haggstrom and make it 6-1.

The Falcons would cut the lead to 6-2 in the eighth when Samko hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Ashworth.

In the ninth, that is when Bentley would get to Wahlberg. Muir would double to right center to lead it off. O'Connor hit an infield single to put runners at first and third. Grover would then come up big with a single through the right side to drive in Muir and cut the lead to 6-3.

After getting an out on a rope to Colt Trebesch (Sr., IF/RHP, Glencoe, Minn.) to third. Ashworth would single to load up the bases. That is when Neshe would single to drive in Grover and O'Connor and cut the lead to 6-5.

However Seipel would come through and stop the Falcons there.

Bill Sullivan got the start for Bentley and pitched a solid eight innings, giving up four earned runs on eight hits with nine strikeouts.

The story of the last two games for UMC has been pitching. The Golden Eagles have used just four pitchers in 18 innings and allowed 18 hits and three walks with 10 strikeouts. This was different than the first four games in Florida, which came down to UMC's hitting clinic as they hit .372 and scored 47 runs with 42 RBI's, 14 doubles, one triple and five home runs.
The Golden Eagles will complete the series against Bentley University Sat, March 19 at 11 p.m. C.T. at Frank Tack Park.