CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team battled back to force extra innings in the series opener Fri., April 5 against Upper Iowa University, but fell 10-8 at the UMC Baseball Field.
Tony Salato doubled to drive in Kyle Routhieaux and Cody Ryan in the top of the 10^th to propel the Peacocks to the victory.

The Golden Eagles fall to 14-11 (7-4 NSIC), as they have now lost their last three games. Minnesota Crookston is still remain in the top half of the NSIC standings. Upper Iowa moves to 9-13 (6-11 NSIC) with the victories.

Minnesota Crookston was guided by Bryce Jorgenson (Jr., UT, Thunder Bay, Ontario), who went 3-of-6 with two runs scored. Reed Hjelle (Sr., 1B, East Grand Forks, Minn.) was 1-of-1 with three RBIs and a run scored, as he was walked three times on the game. Travis Conoryea (R-So., OF/C, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) hit 2-of-5 with one RBI.

Graeme Cherry (Jr., LHP, Millarville, Alberta) was strong in relief, as the pitcher went 5.2 innings, allowing just two runs on three hits in four strikeouts. Cherry was saddled with the loss despite a strong effort, as he falls to 1-1.

Jayden Grover (Jr., RHP, Cooperstown, N.D.) allowed six earned runs on six hits with three strikeouts and five walks in a three-inning start for the Golden Eagles. Aaron Hollcraft (Sr., LHP, Crookston, Minn.) allowed no runs on one hit in one inning of work, while Louis Gerzin (Sr., RHP, Ely, Minn.) secured one out on a strikeout in the 10^th.

Clayon Lieb got the win in relief after going two innings and giving up just one unearned run on two hits with four strikeouts. Blake Thiesse got the start and gave up five earned runs on six hits with one strikeout and seven walks. Mac Wolfe pitched in relief and gave up no earned runs on three hits with five strikeouts in 2.2 innings.

At the plate, Upper Iowa looked to Salato, who was 2-of-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Riley Braughton finished 2-of-5 with two RBIs and a run scored, while Cole Scieszinski went 2-of-5 for the day.

The Peacocks opened the game with a big first inning. Zac Cain reached on an error at first base, allowing Routhieaux to score on the error to put the tally at 1-0. Later in the frame, Emmitt Kulick doubled to left center to plate Cain. Braughton then came up and tripled to right center to plate Kulick and A.J. Friedrich. Later in the inning, Steve Diderrich, Jr., singled to left field to drive in Braughton and push the lead to 5-0.

The Golden Eagles put a dent in the lead as Reller hit a two RBI single to right field to drive in Hjelle, and Landyn Swenson (Jr., OF, Devils Lake, N.D.) to cut the deficit to 5-2.

Upper Iowa moved the lead to 6-2 when Salato scored on an error by the catcher.

The Golden Eagles got the run back in the second as Hjelle singled to score Jorgenson to slice the lead to 6-3.

Upper Iowa scored two runs in the fourth frame. Routhieaux scored the first run of the stanza on a wild pitch to push the lead out to 7-3. Later in the frame, Friedrich hit a sacrifice fly to plate Salato.

Minnesota Crookston countered in their half of the fourth. Swenson hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Bobby Chu (Jr., C, Redwood City, Calif.). Hjelle then hit a sacrifice fly of his own to score Griffin Fussy (R-So., SS, Ham Lake, Minn.) and trim the deficit to 8-5.

The Golden Eagles got another run in the sixth when Swenson scored after Conoryea reached on a fielder's choice to pull Minnesota Crookston within 8-6.

In the seventh frame, Ben Thoma (C/IF, Clearbrook, Minn.) reached on an error by the pitcher, allowing Fussy to cross the plate as the Golden Eagles pulled within one at 8-7.

The game-tying run crossed in the bottom of the ninth when Jorgenson scored on a passed ball. The Golden Eagles had the bases loaded with two outs after a Conoryea infield single. However, Mason Ruhlman (Jr., 2B, Algonac, Mich.) was struck out swinging to keep the game at 8-8, as the two squads went into extra innings.

Upper Iowa took the lead 10-8 in the top of the 10^th when Salato doubled to drive in Routhieaux and Ryan.

Minnesota Crookston was unable to answer in the bottom of the 10^th, despite a walk offered to Fussy, as the Peacocks took the series opener.

Minnesota Crookston will wrap up the series with Upper Iowa Sat., April 6 at 12 and 2 p.m., at the UMC Baseball Field.