ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team saw their season come to a close Wed., May 11 with a 3-2 loss to Minot State University at the 2017 NSIC Tournament. The Golden Eagles were in their second-consecutive NSIC Tournament after a 15-year gap between appearances. Minnesota Crookston put together back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first-time in program history, but are still seeking their first conference tournament victory in program history.

The Golden Eagles conclude the season with a 24-28 mark, just win one shy of their 2016 victory mark. Minot State improved to 29-21. The Beavers will play the loser of Augustana University and St. Cloud State University on Thursday evening. Minnesota Crookston won the season series with Minot State 3-2.

Cody Pamperin (Sr., RHP, Shakopee, Minn.) got the start for the Golden Eagles and did what he has done all season as he kept Minnesota Crookston right in the hunt. Pamperin suffered the loss in the game after going six innings and giving up just three earned runs on nine hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Pamperin ends his four-year career as one of the most accomplished pitchers in school history. His start set the school record for appearances, surpassing his former teammate and coach Ryan Paasch. He also set the record for innings pitched, strikeouts and lowest ERA.

Minot State started the scoring in the bottom of the first as Wyatt Schlosser singled to drive in Sean Alp to make it 1-0.

The Beavers added a pair of runs to their lead in the bottom of the third following back-to-back doubles from Michael Borst and Jarrod Adams.

Mitchell Bornhauser (Jr., OF, Northfield, Minn.) broke up a no-hitter for Justin Demary in the top of the fifth with two outs as he singled. Bornhauser and Anthony Stewart (R-Jr., OF, Oak Harbor, Wash.) came around to score on a Patrick Amerson (Sr., IF, Eloy, Ariz.) double as the U of M Crookston cut the lead to 3-2.

Minot State threatened to add to their lead in the bottom of the sixth with singles to open the frame from Schlosser and Celestino Rodriguez. Pamperin came through and got three-straight fly outs to keep the game within reach at 3-2.

Minnesota Crookston made one last effort in the top of the ninth. With two outs, James Cullinane (Jr., OF, San Franciso, Calif.) and Scott Mortenson (Jr., OF, East Grand Forks, Minn.) got hit by pitches to put the tying and go-ahead runs on base. Bornhauser came up to bat with the opportunity for Minnesota Crookston, but would ground out as Minot State would hang on for the 3-2 victory.

Zach Seipel, one of two All-NSIC Second Team selections along with Stewart, also pitched for the Golden Eagles. Seipel went two innings giving up just one hit with no runs on three strikeouts.

Demary got the win after coming up just one out short of a complete game. Demary gave up two earned runs on four hits in 8.2 innings pitched with seven strikeouts. Mark LaCroix earned the save as he got the final out of the game.

Minnesota Crookston looked to Amerson, who was 1-of-4 with two RBI's. Stewart was 1-of-3 with one run scored. Bornhauser was 1-of-3 with one run scored, while Cullinane was 1-of-2.

The four-year senior class of Pamperin, Patrick Higgins (Sr., OF, Eagan, Minn.), Brandon Kresl (Sr., 1B, Crookston, Minn.) and Cayden Barta (Sr., RHP, Fargo, N.D.) end their careers as the winningest four-year class in program history with 64. Patrick Amerson (Sr., IF, Eloy, Ariz.), a three-year senior, is one game behind them with 63 wins. Two-year seniors Matthew Dallas (Sr., RHP, Boise, Idaho), Jeremy Spinner (Sr., IF, Phoenix, Ariz.), Zac Carrillo (Sr., RHP, Manteca, Calif.) and David Olson (Sr., 3B/C, Stillwater, Minn.) were a part of back-to-back NSIC Tournament appearances.

The Golden Eagles have a strong core returning with 36 players slated to return next season, included are All-NSIC selections Stewart and Seipel and Hjelle, who was an NSIC Gold Glove winner at first base.