KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team relied on opportune hits and their pitching staff as they edged Northwood University (Mich.) Sat., March 10 at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee, Fla. The Golden Eagles looked to a strong outing from Justin Yutrzenka (So., RHP, Argyle, Minn.) and their bullpen as their relievers have now given up just one run in the last 21.2 innings. In addition, Minnesota Crookston picked up clutch RBI hits from Wyatt Peppel (R-So., DH, Greenbush, Minn.) and Reed Hjelle (Jr., 1B, East Grand Forks, Minn.) in crucial spots.

The Golden Eagles move to 9-4 on the season as they won their eighth game in a row Saturday. The victory continues the best part in program history. Minnesota Crookston moves to 6-0 in Florida. They have not played easy teams as they have wins over two NCAA regional teams, including Northwood who made the Midwest Regional Championship in 2017. Northwood drops to 6-6 with Saturday's loss. Saturday's game was the second the Golden Eagles have played at Osceola County Stadium, the former Spring Training home of the Houston Astros and the current home of Atlanta Braves minor league affiliate the Florida Fire Frogs.

Yutrzenka got the start Saturday for the Golden Eagles and went four innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Graeme Cherry (Jr., LHP, Millarville, Alberta) got his first win in a Minnesota Crookston uniform as the lefty gave up just one run on three hits with one strikeout. Louis Gerzin (Jr., RHP, Ely, Minn.) put up a great outing in relief, going 1.1 inning and giving up no hits and no runs in 1.1 innings of work. Esten Beneda (R-So., Lankin, N.D.) was crucial in the set-up role as he he got a crucial strikeout with the bases loaded in the eighth frame. Beneda gave up just one hit and no runs in one inning. Zach Seipel (Jr., RHP, Eagan, Minn.) closed it out for Minnesota Crookston as he gave up two hits and picked up two strikeouts with no runs allowed in one frame. Seipel earned his fourth save of the season.

The Golden Eagles continue to thrive in their bullpen as they have used eight different relievers in the last four games and all eight have been crucial in allowing just the one run in 21.2 innings on 12 hits with 20 strikeouts.

At the plate, Anthony Stewart (R-Sr., OF, Oak Harbor, Wash.) was 2-of-4 with one run scored. Hjelle went 1-of-2 with one RBI and one hit. Jonathan Lund (Jr., 3B, Tolna, N.D.) was 1-of-3 with one run scored, while Peppel went 1-of-3 with one RBI.

The loss went to Northwood's Colin Moran in relief. He gave up two runs on four hits with five strikeouts. Jake Gross was strong in his start as he gave up just two runs on three hits in four innings. Lennon Gwizdala finished out the game, striking out one in 0.2 innings of work.

The Timberwolves looked to Brian Dombrowski, who was 4-of-5 with one run scored. David Vinsky finished 3-of-3 with one RBI, while Nick Palmer was 2-of-5.
Northwood got on the board first in the top of the first when Colin McClelland grounded out to third base and drove in Ryan McClelland to make it 1-0.

The Golden Eagles took over the lead in the bottom of the second. Hjelle crossed the plate first on a wild pitch to knot it up 1-1. Peppel then delivered an RBI single up the middle to score Lund and put Minnesota Crookston up 2-1.

The Timberwolves looked primed to score in the top of the third as Javier Martinez sent one into deep left center where Stewart showed his range and made a phenomenal catch saving what looked like a surefire double and runs for Northwood. Stewart was the program's first-ever ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove winner in 2017. Yutrzenka responded by striking out Palmer and holding the 2-1 lead.

Northwood knotted up the game 2-2 as Kyle Ziegler scored on a wild pitch. The Timberwolves were in a great situation with bases loaded, but Yutrzenka got Minnesota Crookston out of any further trouble.

The Golden Eagles extend their lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth. With runners on second and third, Ethan Mushitz (Sr., SS, East Grand Forks, Minn.) grounded out to second base and drove in David Anaya (R-Sr., 2B, Tucson, Ariz.). Hjelle then delivered a double down the left field line to plate Stewart and put Minnesota Crookston ahead 4-2.

Northwood scored one in the top of the sixth as Vinsky doubled off Cherry to drive in Dombrowski. Gerzin then came in and got a crucial out and Lund made a ranging play to his right off Colin McClelland's bat and he retired the Timberwolves.

Northwood threatened again in the top of the eighth as Beneda gave up a double to Dombrowski and hit both Vinsky and Ryan McClelland to load up the bases. Beneda came through and got out of the sticky situation with a strikeout of Colin McClelland to maintain the 4-3 advantage.

Seipel came on in the ninth and gave up singles to Palmer and Ziegler, but one of the nation's best closers stepped up and struck out the last two to pick up his fourth save and send Minnesota Crookston to their eighth-consecutive victory.

Minnesota Crookston's road in Florida does not get easier as they play No. 13 West Chester University Sun., March 11 at 1 p.m. C.T. The Golden Rams are the defending NCAA Division II National Champion. Minnesota Crookston will face West Chester at Osceola Heritage Park – Field 2 in Kissimmee, Fla.