CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston used a walk-off hit from Tyler Jochen (R-Sr., 2B/SS, San Jose, Calif.) and a gem on the mound from Jake Osowski (R-So., RHP, East Grand Forks, Minn.) to pick up a sweep over Northern State University Wednesday, May 4 at the UMN Crookston Baseball Field. The Golden Eagles took the first game 2-1 and won the second tilt 7-4 over the Wolves.

The Golden Eagles improved to 17-25 (9-14 NSIC) with Wednesday's wins. UMN Crookston is currently in 11^th place in the NSIC standings. The Golden Eagles still have the ability to make the NSIC Tournament. If UMN Crookston sweeps UMary, they would need Northern State University and Wayne State College to go no better than 2-1. They would need to sweep UMary, because if the Marauders win one game they would hold the edge on the Golden Eagles.

Northern State dropped to 15-23 (10-15 NSIC) with the loss. UMary is currently in eighth place, holding the final spot currently in the NSIC Tournament. Northern State is in ninth place.

Game One
Jochen's single to center field was the decisive hit in the bottom of the seventh as the Golden Eagles walked off with the 2-1 win. His single drove in Mitch Goodwin (R-So., SS, Prior Lake, Minn.). Jochen had the Golden Eagles two RBIs in the game. He went 2-of-3.

Conner Richardson (R-Jr., RHP, Grand Forks, N.D.) had a quality start on the hill. He went six innings, allowing just one run, on two hits. Richardson struck out five, and walked just one. Brody Sorenson (So., RHP, Grand Forks, N.D.) picked up the win in relief. Sorenson pitched one scoreless inning. He didn't allow a hit, and struck out one.

Michael Chevalier got the start and went five innings. He allowed one run, on three hits. Chevalier struck out four, and walked three. Mitchell Tolk suffered the loss in relief. He went 1.1 innings, allowing one run, on one hit. He struck out two, and walked one.
In addition to Jochen, Ben Thoma (R-Sr., C/3B, Clearbrook, Minn.) went 1-of-3. Chad Musser (R-Sr., OF, Plymouth, Minn.) finished 1-of-3.

Northern State opened up the scoring when Brandon Kusler singled to left field, driving in Jackson Meyer.

The Golden Eagles responded in the bottom of the fifth when Jochen doubled to right center, plating Teddy Giefer (So., 1B, Courtland, Minn.) to even it up 1-1.

Minnesota Crookston won the game on Jochen's single in the seventh, going off in victory 2-1.

Game Two
Osowski was stellar on the bump in game two for Minnesota Crookston. He threw an impressive 131 pitches, striking out 10, and walking zero. Osowski allowed just one earned run, on nine hits over eight innings. Jakob Wiirre (Jr., RHP, Mims, Fla.) allowed one run, on two hits in relief. Sorenson came up to complete a great day, picking up his second save of the season, to go with a win in game one.

Andrew Pugliano picked up the loss for Northern State. He allowed six runs, on seven hits in five innings. Pugliano struck out three, and walked just one.

Minnesota Crookston was lifted by Jake Hjelle (R-So., 3B/OF, East Grand Forks, Minn.), who was 2-of-4, with an RBI, and two runs scored. Thoma finished 2-of-4, with an RBI, and a run scored. Ben Goelz (R-So., OF, Maple Lake, Minn.) went 2-of-4, with two runs scored. Giefer was 2-of-4 in the game.

Northern State took the 1-0 advantage in the first when Karson Hesser hit an infield single, driving in Isaiah Chevalier.

The Golden Eagles knotted the score at 1-1 when Thoma doubled, plating Hjelle.

UMN Crookston went ahead 2-1 in the fourth as Goelz scored on a Musser groundout.

The Golden Eagles put together a big sixth inning, scoring four runs. Hjelle opened up the scoring with a solo home run to extend the advantage to 3-1. With the bases loaded Jochen earned a walk, bringing home Thoma. Morris capped off the inning with a two RBI single, driving in Musser, and Goelz to push the advantage to 6-1.

Northern State was able to nab a run in the seventh with a Spencer Sarringar single, scoring Chevalier to trim the deficit to 6-2.

The Wolves added a third run in the eighth when Kai Brisk reached on a fielder's choice, and Niko Pezonella scored on an error.

Minnesota Crookston pushed their lead to 7-3 when Ben Bryant (R-Sr., 2B/SS, Fargo, N.D.) put down a beautiful bunt, plating Goodwin.

The Wolves made a last ditch effort in the top of the ninth. They chased Wiirre from the game with a Hesser single, driving in Chevalier to cut the Golden Eagle advantage to 7-4. Sorenson came in with men on first and second, and one out in a save situation. He got the second out, but a Pezonella single to left field loaded the bases. With the winning runner at the plate, Sorenson came up in the clutch as he struck out Ramon Vega, Jr. to send UMN Crookston to the 7-4 win.

Minnesota Crookston hosts University of Mary Friday, May 6 at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., and Saturday, May 7 at 12 p.m. Senior Day will be Friday at the UMN Crookston Baseball Field as the Golden Eagles will honor nine seniors.