OMAHA, Neb. – The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team opened their series with Concordia University St. Paul with a 12-0 run-rule victory Saturday, March 25 at Warrior Field at Omaha Westside High School in Omaha, Neb. Jake Dykhoff (R-Sr., RHP, Wadena, Minn.) tied the school record of 14 strikeouts previously set by him on April 10, 2021 against Concordia St. Paul, and Jayden Grover.

Jake Dykhoff pitched the complete game shutout, allowing just two hits. Dykhoff struck out 14 and walked just one. Dykhoff has allowed just four runs on 11 hits, striking out 39 and walking just eight in his last four games and 28 innings.  He is 4-2 with a 3.29 ERA in 2023.

Minnesota Crookston improved to 15-9 (5-1 NSIC) with the win over the Golden Bears. Concordia-St. Paul dropped to 9-10 (5-1 NSIC) with the loss. The Golden Eagles are off to their best NSIC start since opening the 2021 season with an 8-1 record. 

Additionally, Minnesota Crookston notched 14 hits and scored 12 runs. Josh Dykhoff (Fr., 1B/RHP, Wadena, Minn.) hit his fourth home run of the season to help back up his brother's strong start. Mike Hallquist (Jr., 3B, Fargo, N.D.) hit his NSIC-best ninth home run of the season. Hallquist has been one of the top hitters in the NSIC this season, batting .488, with a 1.605 OPS, and a 1.012 slugging percentage. Hallquist has scored 31 runs, with 12 doubles, two triples, nine home runs, and 33 RBIs.

Hallquist went 2-of-3, with an RBI and three runs scored. Jake Hjelle (R-Jr., OF/1B, East Grand Forks, Minn.) finished 3-of-4, with three RBIs and a run scored. Josh Dykhoff was 2-of-4, with two RBIs and two runs scored. Teddy Giefer (Jr., 1B, Courtland, Minn.) was 2-of-4, with an RBI and two runs scored. Matt Nunn (Sr., C, Edina, Minn.) finished 1-of-2, with two RBIs.

The loss went to Korey Dahlberg, who allowed six runs on eight hits in three innings. Dahlberg struck out five and walked three.

Hallquist opened up the scoring in the bottom of the first with a solo shot over the center field fence.

In the third stanza, Hjelle doubled to left field, driving in Hallquist. A Caden Headlee (Jr., OF, Fargo, N.D.) single and an error in left field helped Hjelle score to make it 3-0. Headlee scored on a wild pitch to push the advantage to 4-0. A Nunn triple to left field, scored Mitch Goodwin (Jr., SS, Prior Lake, Minn.), and Giefer to extend the lead to 6-0.

In the fourth, Hjelle doubled down the left field line, plating Hallquist and Josh Dykhoff to make the tally 8-0.

In the fifth, Josh Dykhoff blasted a two-run home run, scoring himself and Hallquist to push the lead to 10-0.

A Giefer double to right center scored Camdin Miller (Jr., 3B, Williston, N.D.) to widen the gap to 11-0. Later in the sixth, Goodwin hit a sacrifice fly to score Giefer to push the lead to 12-0.

Minnesota Crookston continues the series with the Golden Bears Sunday, March 26 at 1 and 3 p.m., at Warrior Field in Omaha, Neb. The games were pushed back due to possible inclement weather overnight.