SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – University of Minnesota Crookston baseball freshman Justin Yutrzenka (Fr., RHP, Argyle, Minn.) would shut down the University of Sioux Falls in his third win of the season and Zach Seipel (So., RHP, Eagan, Minn.) would pick up his third save of the year as the Golden Eagles picked up the split in Sioux Falls, S.D. Sun., March 26.

Minnesota Crookston would take game two 2-0 over Sioux Falls led by Yutrzenka, who pitched eight innings of shutout baseball with just four hits allowed. Yutrzenka moved to 3-0 on the season with the win. He added three strikeouts and had no walks in the stand-out performance. Seipel would come on and shut out the Cougars in his one inning with two strikeouts and no hits as he moved to three saves on the season.

In game one, the U of M Crookston went up 1-0 early on USF, however Sioux Falls would use three runs in the third and two runs in the fifth to lift them to a 6-1 win over the Golden Eagles. Gabriel Cavasos (Jr., RHP, San Antonio, Texas) suffered the loss after giving up four earned runs on eight hits with one strikeout and three walks.

Minnesota Crookston moved to 9-11 (3-5 NSIC) as they earned the split on the day and for the series (2-2). Sioux Falls sits at 6-11 after the Sunday split.

The first run in the opening game of the day came as Zach Frazier (R-Jr., C, Grand Rapids, Minn.) reached on an error and Riley Thompson (Jr., OF, Owatonna, Minn.) came around to score to make it 1-0.

Cavasos would have a strong first two innings on the mound, but would run into issues in the bottom of the third. With one out, Connor Merriam would single to left field to drive in Matthew Minnick. After Cavasos secured a second out, Gunner Peterson would single to drive in Merriam and Trevor Crow as the Cougars went ahead 3-1.

USF added to their lead with a run in the bottom of the fourth when Josh Rehwaldt doubled to right field to plate Rob Johnson.

The Cougars would add two more runs in the bottom of the fifth led by a Dylan Gavin two-run home run to plate himself and Merriam to make it 6-1. Sioux Falls would hold on for the victory.

At the plate, Minnesota Crookston looked to James Cullinane (Jr., OF, San Francisco, Calif.), who was 2-of-3. Thompson would go 2-of-2 with one run scored.

Zak Wallner earned the victory for the Cougars after giving up no runs on four hits with eight strikeouts in a complete game.

Cayden Barta (Sr., RHP, Fargo, N.D.) would also pitch in game one for the U of M Crookston. He would give up two earned runs on two hits. Owen Ellefson (Jr., RHP, Argyle, Minn.) would give up no hits or runs in 0.1 innings, while Zac Carrillo (Sr., RHP, Manteca, Calif.) shut down the Cougars in one inning.

Yutrzenka shut down the Cougars in the second game of the day as USF struggled to get much going as they would have just six base-runners in the game. Seipel would also put forth one of his best outings of the season, as the NSIC's saves leader from 2016 proved why he was able to pick up 11 saves last season.

Minnesota Crookston would start the scoring in the sixth as Reed Hjelle (So., 1B, East Grand Forks, Minn.) reached on a fielder's choice and Anthony Stewart (R-Jr., OF, Oak Harbor, Wash.) would come around to score.

Frazier would add to the lead in the ninth with a single to right field to plate Hjelle.

Minnesota Crookston would look to Stewart, who was 2-of-4 with one run scored. Hjelle would go 1-of-4 with one run scored, while Frazier was 1-of-4 with one RBI.

Gavin would get the start for the Cougars and would give up no runs on one hit in five innings. Stuart Maes would suffer the loss as he gave up one earned run on three hits in four innings.

Minnesota Crookston will return to action March 29 as they have their home openers at UMC Baseball Field against Minot State University at 1 and 3:30 p.m.