SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A strong outing on the mound from Parker Hanson (So., RHP, Hawley, Minn.) and a two-run home run from Mitchell Bornhauser (Jr., OF, Northfield, Minn.) propelled the University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team to a split with University of Sioux Falls Sat., March 25 at Sioux Falls Stadium.

The Golden Eagles fell 4-3 in game one as the Cougars used a walk-off single from Matthew Minnick to earn the edge in the game. Minnesota Crookston got another strong outing from senior Cody Pamperin (RHP, Shakopee, Minn.), however the Golden Eagles struggled defensively in the game with four errors. In addition, Minnesota Crookston looked in game one to a two-run home run Anthony Stewart (R-Jr., OF, Oak Harbor, Wash.), the first blast of the season for a Minnesota Crookston player.

In game two, the Golden Eagles would pick up the 9-4 victory, their first of the Steve Gust era over the Cougars. Minnesota Crookston looked to Hanson, who would give up just two earned runs on six hits over seven innings with two strikeouts and three walks.

Bornhauser would lead the bats in game two, going 3-of-5 with three RBI's and two runs scored, including the home run, the second of the day for Minnesota Crookston. In addition, Riley Thompson (Jr., OF, Owatonna, Minn.) was 2-of-3 with two runs scored in the second game of the day.

Minnesota Crookston sits at 8-10 (2-4 NSIC) after Saturday's split. Sioux Falls now has a 5-10 (3-3 NSIC) mark.

In the first game of the day, Pamperin would get the start and would go 6.1 innings, giving up three earned runs on eight hits with two walks and two strikeouts. He would end up suffering the loss in the game as he gave up Minnick's walk-off RBI single.

The Cougars would open up the scoring in the bottom of the first with a Rob Johnson leadoff solo shot over the right field fence to make it 1-0. USF would add a second run as Josh Rehwaldt scored when Trevor Crow reached on an error by U of M Crookston short stop Ethan Mushitz (Jr., SS, East Grand Forks, Minn.).

Sioux Falls would add a run in the bottom of the second as Dylan Gavin reached on an error and scored on a single to right field by Noah Durkin.

Minnesota Crookston would respond in the top of the third to knot the game at 3-3. Zach Frazier (R-Jr., C, Grand Rapids, Minn.) would open the inning with an infield single and would come around to score on a wild pitch. Stewart would then hit the first home run of the season for U of M Crookston as he blasted one over the right field fence to drive in himself and Patrick Amerson (Sr., IF, Eloy, Ariz.) to even the tally at 3-3.

The Golden Eagles would threaten in the top of the sixth with two outs. Reed Hjelle (So., 1B, East Grand Forks, Minn.) would double to center field and Thompson would walk, however Sioux Falls would get out of danger to keep the score at 3-3.

Sioux Falls would load the bases in the bottom of the seventh with Pamperin on the mound. That is when Minnick would come through with an infield single to plate the game-winning run in the form of Durkin as the Cougars would win 4-3.

The victory for the Cougars would go to Zachary Miller, who gave up three earned runs on four hits with three strikeouts and three walks.

The Golden Eagles were led at the plate in game one by Stewart, who was 1-of-3 with two RBI's and one run scored on his home run. Frazier and Amerson were both 1-of-2 with one run scored.

In game two, Minnesota Crookston would get on the scoreboard first as James Cullinane (Jr., OF, San Francisco, Calif.) reached on a fielder's choice to drive in Stewart, who had walked earlier in the top of the third.

The Golden Eagles would put up two more runs in the top of the fourth. With the bases loaded, David Anaya (R-Jr., UT, Tucson, Ariz.) would earn the RBI walk to plate Thompson. With the bases loaded, USF would pull starter Keenahn Coyle in favor of Chris Thompson. Stewart would get a sacrifice fly off of Thompson to drive in Bornhauser to make it 3-0. Thompson would pitch out of the frame to keep Minnesota Crookston at bay.

The U of M Crookston would add two more runs in the top of the fifth off of Bornhauser's rocket to right field to plate himself and Thompson to make it 5-0.

Sioux Falls would cut the lead to 5-1 when Connor Merriam scored on a Johnson RBI ground out.

The Golden Eagles would extend their advantage to 6-1 in the top of the seventh when Bornhauser continued his big game with an infield single to bring home Hjelle.

USF would get within 6-2 in the bottom of the seventh on a Johnson sacrifice fly to drive in Gavin.

Minnesota Crookston would put a stamp on their lead in the top of the eighth. With the bases loaded, Hjelle would reach on an error by the catcher as Jeremy Spinner (R-Jr., IF, Phoenix, Ariz.) crossed the plate. With the bases still loaded, Cullinane would come through with a single to center field to drive in Mushitz and Stewart to make it 9-2.

The Cougars would get two more runs in the bottom of the ninth but that would be as close as USF would get.

The loss would go to Coyle, who gave up three earned runs on four hits with five walks and two strikeouts. Hanson would pick up the win after his strong outing in seven innings on the mound.

Jacob Butcher (R-Jr., RHP, Palmer, Alaska) would also appear for Minnesota Crookston in game two. He went two innings, giving up no earned runs on five hits with two strikeouts.

Minnesota Crookston will wrap up the series against Sioux Falls Sun., March 26 at 1 and 3:30 p.m. at Sioux Falls Stadium.