HILO, Hawai'i – The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team fell 5-4 as the University of Hawai'i Hilo walked off on an Eric Peterson single to drive in Casey Yamauchi. The Golden Eagles led 4-1 after scoring four runs in the bottom of the third. However, the Vulcans pushed three runs across in the bottom of the ninth to pick up the win.

Minnesota Crookston dropped to 2-3 on the season and 0-2 in their series with Hawai'i Hilo. The Vulcans improved to 6-1 with the win at Wong Stadium in Hilo, Hawai'i.

The Golden Eagles got a great start from Jake Osowski (R-So., RHP, East Grand Forks, Minn.), who went 6.1 innings, allowing just two runs on six hits. He struck out two, and had no walks. Isaac Roers (Fr., RHP, Stacy, Minn.) had a strong relief outing, going 1.2 innings, with only two hits allowed and no runs. Phil Hindes (R-Sr., RHP, Tucson, Ariz.) suffered the loss as he gave up three runs on three hits in a blown save situation.

Kyle Alcorn got the start for the Vulcans, tossing three innings and allowing four runs on six hits. Jacob Liberta got the win after going two innings, with no runs, and three strikeouts.

At the plate, Jake Hjelle (R-So., 3B/OF, East Grand Forks, Minn.) guided the Golden Eagles. He went 2-of-3 with three RBIs, two doubles, and a run scored. Matt Nunn (Jr., C, Edina, Minn.) finished 2-of-5 with a run scored. Tyler Jochen (R-Sr., IF, San Jose, Calif.) finished 1-of-3 with a run scored.

Hawai'i Hilo was led by Peterson, who went 4-of-5 with two RBIs. Yamauchi finished 2-of-4 with two RBIs, and two runs scored. Bradyn Yoshida was 2-of-4 with a run scored.

The Vulcans jumped out to a 1-0 lead after Yamauchi tripled and Peterson drove him in with a single.

Minnesota Crookston led off the top of the second with a double from Mitch Goodwin (R-So., SS, Prior Lake, Minn.). However, the Golden Eagles were unable to get the run across as Hawai'i Hilo held the 1-0 advantage.

Minnesota Crookston looked for a big inning in the top of the third. Jochen opened up the inning with a single. Nunn then beat out an infield single to give the Golden Eagles two on, with nobody out. Minnesota Crookston loaded the bases as Thoma was hit by a pitch. Hjelle then came through with a bases-clearing double, driving in Jochen, Nunn, and Thoma to give UMN Crookston a 3-1 advantage. Morris then delivered a double to left field to plate Hjelle to give the Golden Eagles a 4-1 lead. Alcorn was able to retire the next three batters to get out of any further danger.

The Vulcans led off the bottom of the third with an infield single from Brett Komatsu. The Golden Eagles were then able to pull off a double play to double up Komatsu and Yamauchi. Peterson reached on an infield single, but UMN Crookston would still hold the Vulcans scoreless keeping the lead 4-1 moving into the fourth stanza.

Ty Honda would come on in relief for Hawai'i Hilo in the fourth inning.

Gallagher closed the deficit to 4-2 with a solo shot in the bottom of the fourth for the Vulcans. Osowski hit Kobie Russell in the next at-bat to give Hawai'i Hilo another baserunner with no outs.
In the top of the sixth, Sunny Resnick (Sr., C, Twin Valley, Minn.) was able to reach on a one-out single, but the Golden Eagles would strand the runner in the inning but hold on to the 4-2 advantage. In the bottom half, Osowski struck out two and got a flyout.

Cody Hirata came on in relief for the Vulcans in the top of the seventh. He also pitched on Thursday for Hawai'i Hilo. Nunn opened up the top of the seventh with a single through the right side for UMN Crookston. Nunn stole second and third base to give UMN Crookston a runner in scoring position. Hjelle then earned a walk to give the Golden Eagles runners on the corners. The Vulcans were able to work out the situation to keep the score at 4-2.

Roers came on in relief for the Golden Eagles in the bottom of the seventh. Hawai'i Hilo put two on in the bottom of the seventh as Yoshida hit an infield single, and Yamauchi walked. Roers got out of trouble as he got Peterson to ground out to first to keep the game at 4-2 in favor of Minnesota Crookston.

Liberta came on in relief for Hawai'i Hilo. Liberta was able to strike out the side in the top of the eighth.

The Vulcans led off the bottom of the eighth with a single from Jaryn Kanbara. Roers then stepped up and got three-straight outs as the Golden Eagles held on to the 4-2 lead.

Minnesota Crookston looked to get security runs in the top of the ninth. Ben Bryant (R-Sr., 2B/SS, Fargo, N.D.) led off the stanza by reaching on an error. Bryant was retired at second, as Nunn reached on a fielder's choice. Paxton Nelson came on to run for Nunn and stole second to move into scoring position. Nelson made his way to third on a passed ball. Hjelle walked to give Minnesota Crookston runners on the corners. Liberta would get the final out to prevent UMN Crookston from adding any run security.

Hindes came on to try to get the save. He opened up by walking Lucas Sakay in the bottom of the ninth. Yoshida pushed Sakay over to second on a single. The Vulcans moved the runners into scoring position with a bunt down the third base line from Komatsu. Yamauchi came through with a double to plate Yoshida and Sakay to knot the score back up 4-4. Peterson singled to left field to drive in Yamauchi for the walk-off win for the Vulcans.

Minnesota Crookston will play a doubleheader with Hawai'i Hilo Saturday, February 12 at 7 and 9 p.m. C.T. at Wong Stadium.