ST. LEO, Fla. – The University of Minnesota Crookston team lost 11-6 to Saint Leo University. The Lions scored six runs in the bottom of the fifth to ignite the victory Tuesday, March 8 at Thomas B. Southard Stadium in St. Leo, Fla. The Golden Eagles had pulled within 7-6 in the top of the eighth, but Saint Leo scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth to help the Lions hold off the Golden Eagles.

Minnesota Crookston dropped to 6-10 with Tuesday's loss. Saint Leo improved to 13-7 with the victory.

The Golden Eagles had seven hits on the game. Tyler Jochen (R-Sr., 2B/SS, San Jose, Calif.) led the way going 2-of-4 with two runs scored. Brad Morris (R-Sr., OF, Auckland, New Zealand) went 2-of-4 with one RBI, and a run scored. Chad Musser (R-Sr., OF, Plymouth, Minn.) finished 1-of-2 with a run scored. Zeke Hass (Jr., OF, Eaton, Calif.) went 1-of-3, while Ben Thoma (R-Sr., C/3B, Clearbrook, Minn.) finished 1-of-5, with a run scored.

The Lions picked up 14 hits for the game. Bobby Sparling paced Saint Leo, going 4-of-5, with five RBIs, and three runs scored. Buck Anderson finished 3-of-5, with two runs scored. Sam Crail finished 2-of-4, with one RBI, and two runs scored. Saint Leo had three home runs for the game.

Nick Jennings earned the win for the Lions, after going 1.2 innings, allowing just one run, on one hit, with four strikeouts. Rudsinski went 1.1 innings, allowing no runs, on one hit.

Conner Richardson (R-Jr., RHP, Grand Forks, N.D.) got the start, and went four innings, allowing three earned runs, on six hits. He struck out one, and walked two. Phil Hindes (R-Sr., RHP, Tucson, Ariz.) pitched one inning, allowing no earned runs, on three hits.

Minnesota Crookston broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth when Morris scored on a wild pitch to put the Golden Eagles ahead 1-0. Minnesota Crookston extended their advantage to 2-0 when Thoma scored on a passed ball.

Saint Leo broke on to the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth when Sparling led off the stanza with a solo home run. With two outs, the Lions loaded up the bases. However, Richardson got a crucial out to keep the score in favor of the Golden Eagles 2-1.

Jochen opened up the top of the fifth with a triple. Jake Hjelle (R-So., 3B/OF, East Grand Forks, Minn.) walked to put runners on the corner with one out. Morris then grounded out, driving in Jochen to push the Golden Eagle lead to 3-1. The Lions got out of any further damage in the frame.

Saint Leo had a big bottom of the fifth, scoring six runs. The Lions tied the game up 3-3 when Sparling reached on an error, driving in Crail and Anderson. Saint Leo took the lead 4-3 in the bottom of the fifth when Paul Coumoulos singled, driving in Sparling. Tyler Trovinger kept the inning going with a single to bring in Adrien Roa to extend the lead to 5-3. Coumoulos and Trovinger each scored on an error to extend the lead for the Lions to 7-3. Hindes was able to get out of further trouble.

UMN Crookston looked to rally in the top of the sixth. The Golden Eagles opened up the stanza with a single from Hass, and a Mitch Goodwin (R-So., SS, Prior Lake, Minn.) walk. With one out, Musser was hit by a pitch to load up the bags. Saint Leo got Jochen to ground into a double play to hold on to their 7-3 advantage.

 Minnesota Crookston loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the eighth. Jack Peppel (Sr., 1B, Olivia, Minn.) started things out by earning a walk. Musser and Jochen then put together singles for the Golden Eagles. Nunn then reached on an error by the pitcher, clearing the bases and scoring Jochen, Musser, and Peppel to trim the deficit to 7-6. Rudsinski came on and got the Lions out of the inning, but not without UMN Crookston scoring three runs.

Saint Leo pushed the lead to 8-6 when Crail tripled to plate Anderson. A two-run home run from Sparling pushed the lead for the Lions to 10-6 in the bottom of the eighth. A Mike Wyman solo shot extended the Saint Leo advantage to 11-6.

Minnesota Crookston looked to rally in the top of the ninth. Morris opened up the inning with a double. Hass walked to give the Golden Eagles two on, with one out. Rudsinski picked up the final two outs of the inning to halt UMN Crookston's efforts and pick up the 11-6 win.

Minnesota Crookston will play Saint Leo in a second game Wednesday, March 9 at 5 p.m. C.T. in St. Leo, Fla.