CROOKSTON, Minn. – A Ben Thoma (R-Sr., C/3B, Clearbrook, Minn.) infield single in the top of the eighth drove in Brad Morris (R-Sr., OF, Auckland, New Zealand) for the decisive run in a 16-15 victory to cap off a four-game series with the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T). The Golden Eagles overcame a 13-7 deficit after the sixth inning to take down the Miners on the road at the Ballpark at S&T in Rolla, Mo. Both teams scored 31 runs, and the two teams combined for eight home runs.

Minnesota Crookston improved to 5-8 with Tuesday's victory over the Miners. Missouri S&T dropped to 2-2 with the loss. The Golden Eagles and the Miners split the series 2-2. Tuesday's game was called after the eighth inning due to darkness. The game was three hours and 30 minutes long.

Phil Hindes (R-Sr., RHP, Tucson, Ariz.) picked up the win for the Golden Eagles. He went 1.1 innings, and allowed two runs, on three hits. Hindes struck out three, and walked nobody. Americo Sculati (Fr., RHP, Golden Valley, Minn.) earned his first save as a Golden Eagle. He went one inning, allowing no hits, and striking out one, and walking one.

Minnesota Crookston had 18 hits on the game, marking their second-straight game where their bats got going in a big way. The Golden Eagles scored 32 runs in the final two games of the series. Thoma finished the game 3-of-4 with three RBIs, and three runs scored, including his fourth home run of the series. Jake Hjelle (R-So., 3B/OF, East Grand Forks, Minn.) went 5-of-6 with three RBIs, and three runs scored. Zeke Hass (Jr., OF, Eaton, Colo.) went 3-of-6, with three RBIs, and two runs scored. Mitch Goodwin (R-So., SS, Prior Lake, Minn.) went 3-of-6, with two RBIs, and a run scored. Jack Peppel (Sr., 1B, Olivia, Minn.) finished 2-of-4, with a run scored. Teddy Giefer (So., 1B, Courtland, Minn.) finished 1-of-2, with two RBIs, and two runs scored.

Missouri S&T had 15 hits on the game. They had 15 hits and hit six home runs. Aaron Berkhoff paced the Miners with three home runs. He was 3-of-4, with seven RBIs, and three runs scored. Braden Mahurin went 2-of-2, with three RBIs, and three runs scored. Garrett Weiner finished 3-of-4, with two RBIs, and two runs scored.

Kyle Athmer picked up the loss for the Miners. He went 1.2 innings, giving up one run on six hits. Estin McBroom started the game. He went four innings, allowing four runs.

Matt Nelson (R-Jr., RHP, Afton, Minn.) started the game for the Golden Eagles. He pitched three innings, allowing six runs on eight hits, with four strikeouts, and a walk.

The Golden Eagles jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first when Mitch Goodwin laced a single to left field, to drive in Thoma, and Hjelle.

The Miners knotted the score up 2-2 in the bottom of the second with a two-run blast from Mahurin, driving in himself, and Brady Voss. Missouri S&T took the lead 3-2 two batters later when Berkhoff launched a solo home run over the left field fence.

Minnesota Crookston tied the game up 3-3 in the top of the third with a Thoma triple to left field, bringing in Hjelle. In the next at-bat, Thoma scored on a Ben Goelz (So., OF, Maple Lake, Minn.) ground-out as the Golden Eagles took the advantage 4-3.

Missouri S&T countered in the bottom of the fourth with five runs. The Miners were guided by a three-run home from Berkhoff, his second of the day. A two-run blast from Weiner extended the advantage to 8-4 for Missouri S&T.

The Golden Eagles pulled within 8-5 in the top of the fifth with a Hass solo home run.

The Miners added two runs in the fifth with Berkhoff's home run Tuesday, driving in himself, and Mahurin to give Missouri S&T a 10-5 advantage.

Minnesota Crookston came back in the top of the sixth. Hass got everything started with a single to right center, to plate Giefer. With runners on the corner, Hjelle singled through the right side to plate Morris to trim the deficit to 10-7.

The Miners added three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Weiner scored on a wild pitch, while Brady Voss came in after Jaden Courtois was walked with the bases loaded. Berkhoff was then walked with the bases loaded, bringing in Dakota Sill to make it 13-7.

The Golden Eagles loaded up the bases in the top of the seventh as Goodwin and Peppel each singled, and Goelz was hit by a pitch. A Giefer single brought in Goodwin, and Goelz to cut the Missouri S&T advantage to 13-9. UMN Crookston took the lead down to 13-10 when Morris reached on a fielding error, allowing Peppel to score. The rally continued when Hass reached on a fielder's choice, driving in Giefer. Hjelle then continued his big day, coming through with a triple to plate Hass and Tyler Jochen (R-Sr., IF, San Jose, Calif.). Hjelle would score on a wild pitch to take the 14-13 lead. Thoma capped off the eight-run inning with a solo home run, as Minnesota Crookston went ahead 15-13.

The Miners responded in the bottom of the seventh. A solo home run from Andrew Branson cut the deficit to 15-14. Missouri S&T tied the game up 15-15 on a Mahurin sacrifice fly to drive in Doug Wood.

The Golden Eagles responded in the top of the eighth with Thoma's infield single, driving in Morris.

Missouri S&T would try to respond, but Sculati allowed just one base runner with a walk offered to Tommy Ruether. However, Sculati secured the final two outs to get the save.

Minnesota Crookston will continue their non-conference slate as they trek to Florida for seven games March 6-13. They open up their trip in the Sunshine State, taking on Saginaw Valley State Sunday, March 6 in Winter Haven, Fla.