WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team earned a split to open up their Florida trip as they defeated Point Park University 9-3 in game two, and fell 7-3 in the first game to the Pioneers. The Golden Eagles were led by a strong pitching performance from Conner Richardson (So., RHP, Grand Forks, N.D.) in the second game as he held Point Park to one run in six innings on the bump. In addition, the Golden Eagles were guided at the plate by a solo home run from Scott Finberg (Sr., 3B, Stillwater, Minn.), along with two RBI doubles from Mason Ruhlman (Sr., 2B, Algonac, Mich.).

The Golden Eagles move to 2-3 with the split Mon., Feb. 24 at Chain O' Lakes Stadium in Winter Haven, Fla. Point Park, a NAIA school in Pittsburgh, Pa., moved to 3-1 with the win. The Pioneers won 32 games in 2019.

Game One

On the mound, Jayden Grover (Sr., RHP, Cooperstown, N.D.) got the start for the Golden Eagles and went 4.1 innings, allowing five runs on five hits with three strikeouts. Tyler Hegg (So., RHP, Thompson, N.D.) was strong in relief, allowing just two runs in 2.2 innings of work.

Cole Horew got the win on the mound for the Point Park Pioneers, going a complete game and allowing three runs.

Minnesota Crookston opened up the first game with a lead-off double from Will Zimmerman (Sr., SS, Park River, N.D.). Zimmerman moved over to third base on an error. Zimmerman came into score on a dropped third strike to give the Golden Eagles an early 1-0 lead.

Point Park took the lead 2-1 in the bottom of the third as Ed Pfluger doubled to Alejandro Nino and Levi Martin, and move Alejandro Pelaez to third with one out. A Luis Mujica three-run home run over the left field fence drove in Pfluger and Pelaez to put the Pioneers ahead 5-1. Bryce Jorgenson (Sr., OF, Thunder Bay, Ontario) saved another run at the left field fence as he jumped up and robbed Tyler Dobie to hold the score at 5-1. Grover got a strikeout to get out of any further trouble.

The Golden Eagles looked to start the fourth inning off strong as Jorgenson placed a beautiful bunt down the third base line to lead off the frame. Jorgenson moved over to second with a stolen base. The Pioneers would get out of the top of the fourth unscathed as they held on to a 5-1 advantage.

Grover responded after a big Point Park inning in the bottom of the third by mowing down the order in the bottom of the fourth as the Pioneers continued to lead 5-1 moving into the top of the fifth.

The Golden Eagles looked to respond as Jake Hjelle (Fr., 1B, East Grand Forks, Minn.) and Landyn Swenson (Sr., OF, Devils Lake, N.D.) reached base with two outs in the top of the fifth. A wild pitch moved the runner closer, as both runners trotted into scoring position. Zimmerman reached on an error, allowing Hjelle to come in to score to trim the deficit to 5-2. With two outs and two on, Point Park was able to get out of trouble on a groundout to keep the score at 5-2.

Carrillo came in to score on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 6-2 in the bottom of the fifth. Pinch-runner Edwin De La Rosa came in to score on the second out of the inning, as the Pioneers went up 7-2. Hegg pitched out of any further danger, as the two squads headed into the top of the sixth.

The Golden Eagles looked to rally late as Finberg led off the top of the seventh with a single. Hjelle came through in the clutch with a triple to plate Finberg and cut the deficit to 7-3. Minnesota Crookston looked to continue the rally but Cole Horew shut the door for the Pioneers as Point Park took game one 7-3.

Game Two

The second game would be a pitcher's dual between Conner Richardson and Ruben Ramirez through the first two innings. Richardson got the win after going six innings, and allowing just one run on 10 hits, as he was able to navigate several tough situations on the day.

Minnesota Crookston broke through in the bottom of the third as Ben Bryant (R-So., IF, Fargo, N.D.) singled to plate Brad Morris (Jr., OF, Auckland, New Zealand) and Jorgenson to give the Golden Eagles a 3-0 lead. The Golden Eagles extended the lead to 3-0 when Ruhlman doubled to drive in Zimmerman. Bryant came in to score on a passed ball later in the frame, to extend the advantage to 4-0. Minnesota Crookston continued their big inning as Ruhlman crossed home plate on a Finberg sacrifice fly to left field to make it 5-0. The Golden Eagles got one final run in the frame as Morris came around for a second time in the inning, hitting in a single to plate Brock Reller (Jr., OF, Grand Forks, N>D.) to extend the advantage to 6-0.

The Pioneers trimmed the lead to 6-1 in the top of the fifth as Luis Hernandez came in to score on a Carrillo ground out.

Minnesota Crookston had the answer in the bottom of the fifth. Ruhlman scored on a wild pitch after walking to open up the stanza. The Golden Eagles pushed the lead to 8-1 as Finberg powered one over the fence.

The Golden Eagles extended the advantage to 9-1 in the bottom of the sixth when Ruhlman doubled to plate Bryant.

The Pioneers attempted to make up the gap in the top of the seventh beginning with a Carrillo two-run home run to plate himself and De La Rosa to trim the deficit to 9-3. Yadiel Ortiz (Jr., RHP, Patillas, Puerto Rico) would pitch the Golden Eagles out of any further danger to keep the game at 9-3.

The tally would remain at 9-3, as Minnesota Crookston picked up the split.

The Golden Eagles will continue their trip in the Sunshine State, as they take on Florida Tech at 5 p.m. C.T. at Andy Seminick-Les Hall Field in Melbourne, Fla.