CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team fell in a seven-inning heartbreaker 2-1 Sunday, April 10 to Wayne State College (Neb.). The Golden Eagles were up 1-0 in the seventh, but Colin Lynam hit a two-run home run to send the Wildcats to the win.
Minnesota Crookston fell to 12-19 (4-8 NSIC) with the loss. Wayne State improved to 14-13 (8-6 NSIC). The Wildcats snapped a three-game losing streak in the series to the Golden Eagles. UMN Crookston had previously won seven of the last eight tilts in the series.
The game was highlighted by an outstanding pitching duel between Golden Eagle ace
Jake Dykhoff (R-Jr., RHP, Wadena, Minn.) and Wayne State's Andrew Staebell. Dykhoff suffered the loss to move to 5-3, after allowing two runs, on six hits. Dykhoff struck out nine, and had no walks. Staebell, normally a reliever, made his first start of the season. Staebell moved to 3-0, after allowing one run, on three hits. He struck out 12, and had no walks.
Minnesota Crookston had three hits in the game.
Jack Peppel (Sr., 1B, Olivia, Minn.) went 1-of-2, with an RBI.
Mitch Goodwin (R-So., SS, Prior Lake, Minn.) was 1-of-3, with a run scored.
Jake Hjelle (R-So., 3B/OF, East Grand Forks, Minn.) finished 1-of-3.
The Wildcats had six hits for the game. Lynam was the hero for Wayne State, with the game-winning home run. He went 2-of-3, with two RBIs, and a run scored. Noah Roberts was 2-of-3. Alex Logelin finished 1-of-3, with a run scored. Nick Barnett was 1-of-3.
The Golden Eagles broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth when Peppel singled, and advanced to second on the throw, driving in Goodwin to make it 1-0.
UMN Crookston was looking to get out of game one with a 1-0 win, but Lynam delivered a two-run shot over the fence in left center, plating himself and Logelin. Minnesota Crookston was unable to pick up the equalizer as they fell 2-1.
The two squads started the second game of the doubleheader, but the game was halted due to rain. Minnesota Crookston is currently trailing Wayne State 8-4 in the top of the third. The game is scheduled to pick up action at 12 p.m. The third game of the series would begin after the second game is finished, approximately at 2 p.m. Monday, April 11.
