CLEARWATER, Fla. – Rockhurst University scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth to comeback and upend the University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team 5-4 Mon., March 13 at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium in Clearwater, Fla.
Parker Hanson (So., RHP, Hawley, Minn.) would start out strong for the Golden Eagles as he would give up just one earned run on four hits in the first six innings. He would run into trouble in the eight, giving up four earned runs on five hits as he suffered the loss on the game.
Minnesota Crookston moved to 4-5 on the season with the loss. Rockhurst improved to 11-4 on the season.
Rockhurst would get on the board first in the bottom of the first as David Stober singled to drive in Brett Marr.
They would remain in the lead until the top of the sixth when the U of M Crookston would even up the slate 1-1 on a
Zach Frazier (R-Jr., C, Grand Rapids, Minn.) single to drive in
Reed Hjelle (So., 1B, Eag Grand Forks, Minn.).
The Golden Eagles come get a run across in the top of the seventh to make it 2-1 as
Anthony Stewart (R-Jr., OF, Oak Harbor, Wash.) scored on a ground out from
Patrick Higgins (Sr., OF, Eagan, Minn.).
The Hawks would start out their big inning in the bottom of the eighth with a double from Henry Weiler. Seth Soto would get the first run across in the frame on a sacrifice fly to right field to score pinch-runner Nick Pascuzzi. Jeremy Lufft would get another run across on a single to plate Alex Van Pelt.
The Golden Eagles would bring in
Aaron Hollcraft (So., LHP, Crookston, Minn.) to relieve Hanson. Nic Mertes would then reach on a bunt single, allowing Wylson Lamb to score. Lufft would come across the plate on a wild pitch to make it 5-2.
Minnesota Crookston would be unable to get anything going in the top of the ninth as Rockhurst would hang on for the comeback win 5-2.
Andrew Ellwanger got the win for Rockhurst after going four innings and giving up just one earned run on two hits.
Minnesota Crookston was paced by Hjelle, who was 2-of-4 with one run scored. Stewart would go 1-of-3 with one run scored, while Frazier was 1-of-2 with one RBI.
The Golden Eagles will continue play the Clearwater Invitational March 14 at 9 a.m. C.T. against Mansfield University at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium.
