CROOKSTON, Minn. – Reed Hjelle (Fr., OF/1B, East Grand Forks, Minn.) powered a ball over the center field fence in the eighth inning to score three runs and send the University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team to a split with Northern State University. The home run was the second of the day for Hjelle and the sixth in two games for the Golden Eagles, who used the wind to their advantage on Wednesday. Minnesota Crookston picked up the 9-6 win in game two after falling 16-12 in an offensive slug fest in game one.

The Golden Eagles sit at 25-17 (18-9 NSIC) with the split, while Northern State is 19-22 (12-16 NSIC).

Nolan Wahlberg (Sr., RHP, Blaine, Minn.) would get the start in game one. Wahlberg had tough moments, but would have a quality start, giving up six earned runs on 10 hits with four strikeouts. Wahlberg's most important contribution was his work in the bottom of the seventh. After giving out a one-out double to Jack Schmidt and walks to Matt Stubbs and Ben Allen, Wahlberg would record two key outs to get out of trouble.

Cody Pamperin (Jr., RHP, Shakopee, Minn.) would come on to get his third win of the season after a solid outing in the eighth inning. Pamperin was aided by a great play by converted catcher Colton Haight (Sr., C/OF, Rogers, Minn.). 

Haight came up big on Senior Day to rob Tyler Gripentrog of a home run at the left field fence.

Zach Seipel (Fr., RHP, Eagan, Minn.) would then be called upon to do what he has done all year long and close out the game. The freshman retired the Wolves in order including two strikeouts to earn his 11^th save of the year.

UMC was led at the plate by Haight in game two, who went 2-of-4 with one RBI and two runs scored, including his second home run of the day. Hjelle's game-winner would also be his second long ball of Friday.

In game one, UMC brought their bats for the dual with Northern State but pitching would struggle as the Wolves got five runs in the seventh inning in order to upend the Golden Eagles.

Trevor Buttermore (Sr., RHP, North St. Paul, Minn.), the school's all-time leader in starts and winnings pitched, gave up nine earned runs on 12 hits, but still kept his team in the fight.

Colt Trebesch (Sr., RHP/3B, Glencoe, Minn.) would suffer the loss after giving up five earned runs on three hits in 1.2 innings pitched.

Another senior, Marcus Campbell (Sr., RHP, St. Croix Falls, Wis.) would also pitch and would give up one earned run on one hit.

The Golden Eagles were led in game one by Haight, who had a big day overall. Haight was 3-of-4 with four RBI's and three runs scored. Hjelle would go 3-of-4 with three RBI's and one run scored. Haight, Hjelle, Haggstrom and Kenny Perez (Sr., DH/1B, Orlando, Fla.) all hit home runs in the first game, with Haight hitting two.

The win for Northern State would go to Nate Zeise, who pitched 0.1 innings and got his one out. Dillon Lee earned the save for the Wolves in the game.
In game one, Northern State would start out the scoring in the first as Allen reached on a fielder's choice and Gripentrog scored. Preston Brown then singled to drive in Schmidt.

UMC would respond in the bottom of the first as Haggstrom hit a three-run home run to left to score Haight and Angelo.

Northern State would tie it up 3-3 in the second as Gripentrog singled to drive in Easton Lopez. The Wolves would build on their lead as Schmidt singled to center field to drive in Patrick Leary. Mikey Barreneche would single up the middle to drive in Schmidt and Gripentrog to end the scoring in the second and make it 7-3.

The Golden Eagles would again respond as Perez hit the second UMC home run of the day to cut the deficit to 7-4.

Northern State would add two runs to pad their lead and make it 9-4 in the fourth.

UMC would cut the lead to 9-8 following home runs from Haight and Hjelle. Both would be two-run shots.

However, Northern State would respond as Gripentrog singled to drive in Lopez and make it 10-8.

The Golden Eagles would respond again as they would not go away. Haight would cross the plate on a passed ball. This would be followed by a walk dealt to Hjelle with the bases loaded to make it 10-10.

Allen would hit a home run over the left field fence to make it 11-10 over UMC in the sixth.

Northern State would pad their lead in the seventh led by an Allen two-run shot.

The Golden Eagles would look to respond and would get Haight's second home run of the day. A two-run shot to drive in himself and Angelo. However, it wouldn't be enough at UMC fell 16-12.

Minnesota Crookston would get a second chance in game two.

The Golden Eagles would jump out early in the second game as Haggstrom singled to drive in Angelo and make it 1-0.

Northern State would respond in the second as Barreneche hit a home run to center to drive in himself and Brown and make it 2-1.

In the fifth, the Wolves would add four runs led by a Gripentrog two-run home run.

UMC would not go away. Angelo reached on an error on a sacrifice bunt and Thomas Kinsella (Sr., 2B, North Branch, Minn.) would come home to score. Haight then came through again in the clutch, something he would do all day long. Haight doubled to drive in Dalton Parks (Sr., OF, West Valley City, Utah) and Zach Frazier (R-So., C, Grand Rapids, Minn.). Haggstrom would then reach on an error at third base as Haight and Angelo scored to knot it up 6-6.

Northern State would threaten in the top of the seventh but that is when Wahlberg would pitch out of the jam to get two key outs.

UMC would come through in the bottom of the eighth beginning with another clutch hit from Haight as he doubled. Haggstrom then walked, giving UMC two on with no out. After Northern State secured an out, Hjelle would come up big with his three-run shot to drive in Haight and Haggstrom.

With the lead 9-6, Seipel would come in and shut down Northern State as he picked up the save.

The Golden Eagles will return to action at 2 and 4:30 p.m. at UMC Baseball Field as they finish up their regular-season. Minnesota Crookston remains in fifth place in the standings and continues to be in line to play Minnesota State University, Mankato in the first round of the NSIC Tournament Wed., May 11 in St. Cloud, Minn., at 11 a.m. The Golden Eagles can finish as high as fourth and as low as sixth.

UMC also began a weekend fundraiser with donations being taken to help out former Golden Eagle Ben Lazzari, who lost his three-week old daughter Everly Mae after she was born with heart problems. The money will be donated to help them with their funeral costs and medical bills.