MINNETONKA, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team scattered six hits over two games as they struggled to hit Concordia University-St. Paul's pitchers in a pair of 1-0 losses. The games were played Sat., March 17 at Veterans Memorial Field in Minnetonka, Minn., and were the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) debuts for both teams.

Minnesota Crookston falls to 10-7 (0-2 NSIC) with Saturday's losses. Concordia-St. Paul improves to 9-3 (2-0 NSIC) with the pair of victories.

Game 1 vs. Concordia-St. Paul
In game one, the Golden Eagles were only able to muster one hit off of Concordia-St. Paul ace Gus Varland. Zach Rustad (Jr., LHP, Blaine, Minn.) put together a great start on the bump, giving up just one run on four hits in six innings with five strikeouts and four hits allowed. Varland gave up just one hit and two walks with 10 strikeouts in a complete game shutout as he picked up the win for the Golden Bears.

Wyatt Peppel (Sr., DH, Greenbush, Minn.) came up with the only hit of the game for the Golden Eagles as Minnesota Crookston struggled to continue their hot hitting from their Florida trip.

Carter Schmidt paced Concordia-St. Paul, going 2-of-3 with one run scored. Connor Olson finished 1-of-2 for the game.

The only run of the game came in the bottom of the fourth as Mickey Leius hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Schmidt to put the Golden Bears up 1-0.

Minnesota Crookston would be unable to come up with the run to tie as Concordia-St. Paul took the 1-0 win.

Game 2 vs. Concordia-St. Paul
Game two was another pitcher's duel, this time between Parker Hanson (Jr., RHP, Hawley, Minn.) and Concordia-St. Paul's Zach Lauzon. Hanson went seven innings and gave up just one run on five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks. Lauzon earned the win as he pitched 8.1 innings and gave up no runs on four hits with 16 strikeouts and two walks.

Minnesota Crookston looked to five players for hits. Reed Hjelle (Jr., 1B, East Grand Forks, Minn.), the reigning NSIC and Central Region Player of the Week, went 1-of-4. Scott Mortenson (Sr., OF, East Grand Forks, Minn.) finished 1-of-4, as did Zach Frazier (R-Sr., C, Grand Rapids, Minn.). Peppel was 1-of-3, while David Anaya (R-Sr., 2B, Tucson, Ariz.) was 1-of-2.

Concordia-St. Paul looked to Connor Trygstad, who was 2-of-3 with one RBI. Olson went 1-of-3 with one run, while Roch Whittaker was 1-of-3.
The Golden Eagles threatened in the top of third as Anaya singled with two outs and advanced to second on a wild pitch. However, Lauzon struck out Anthony Stewart (R-Sr., OF, Oak Harbor, Wash.) to keep the game knotted up 0-0.

The Golden Eagles again had a chance to score in the top of the fourth. Mitchell Bornhauser (Sr., OF, Northfield, Minn.) walked to lead off the frame, followed by a Hjelle single through the right side. Bornhauser would be caught stealing as Hjelle took second. No runs would come in as Lauzon got the final two outs to keep the game knotted at 0-0.

Concordia-St. Paul broke through for the first and only run of the game in the bottom of the sixth when Trygstad singled to plate Olson. Trygstad would advance on a wild pitch, but Hanson kept the second run from scoring as he secured the final two outs of the stanza.

The Golden Bears had another chance to add runs in the bottom of the seventh following singles from Patrick Bordewick and Whittaker. Hanson pitched out of the jam to keep the deficit at 1-0.

Minnesota Crookston got a much-needed runner in the top of the eighth as Peppel singled and advanced to second on a throwing error by Drew Sannes at third base. Lauzon would keep Peppel right there as he struck out the next two to keep the Golden Bears in the 1-0 lead.

The Golden Eagles had their final chance in the top of the ninth. James Cullinane (Sr., OF, San Francisco, Calif.) reached to lead-off the inning as he was hit by a pitch. After a Hjelle fielder's choice, Ethan Mushitz (Sr., SS, East Grand Forks, Minn.) walked to five Minnesota Crookston two on with one out. Riley Sweeney then came on to try to get Concordia-St. Paul out of the game. After a fly out, Mortenson hit an infield single to give Minnesota Crookston three on with two out. Sweeney got the save and preserved the win as he struck out Frazier to give Concordia-St. Paul the 1-0 win.

Aaron Hollcraft (Jr., LHP, Crookston, Minn.) and Esten Beneda (R-So., RHP, Lankin, N.D.) pitched in relief for Minnesota Crookston. Hollcraft gave up no runs and one walk in 0.1 innings of work. Beneda allowed no hits and no runs in 0.2 innings for the Golden Eagles.

Minnesota Crookston will look to break through against the Golden Bears as they finish the series Sun., March 18 at Veterans Memorial Field in Minnetonka, Minn. at 12 and 2 p.m