BISMARCK, N.D. - The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team used a grand slam from Josh Dykhoff (Fr., RHP/1B, Wadena, Minn.) to defeat Minot State University 7-3 to open the NSIC Baseball Tournament Wednesday, May 10 at Bismarck Municipal Stadium in Bismarck, N.D. Josh Dykhoff aided his brother Jake Dykhoff (R-Sr., RHP, Wadena, Minn.) tied his school-record 14 strikeouts with the complete game win.
Minnesota Crookston improved to 37-18 with the victory. Minot State dropped to 29-18. The Golden Eagles have beaten the Beavers in their first game of the NSIC Tournament their last two appearances (2021, 2023). The Golden Eagles remain in the winner's bracket and will play Minnesota State University at 2:30 p.m., at Veterans Memorial Stadium - BNC Field in Mandan, N.D. Minot State will play an elimination game Thursday, May 11 at 11 a.m. in Bismarck, N.D.
Dykhoff improved to 8-4 with the win, after allowing just three runs on six hits. He struck out 14 tying his school record that she shares with Jayden Grover. Jake Dykhoff had no walks in the game, as well.
Bryant Bagshaw suffered the loss after allowing seven runs on six hits in 5.2 innings. Bagshaw struck out four and walked seven.
The Golden Eagles were led by Sawyer Satrom (R-Fr., IF, Portland, N.D.), who went 3-of-4 with one run scored and one RBI. Josh Dykoff was 1-of-3, with four RBIs and two runs scored. Mike Hallquist (Jr., 3B, Fargo, N.D.) was 1-of-4, with an RBI and two runs scored.
After securing the first two outs of the game, Gunnar Kozlowitz hit a solo shot near the scoreboard in left center to give the Beavers a 1-0 advantage.
Minnesota Crookston countered with back-to-back home runs from Danny Wensloff (Jr., OF/C, Roseau, Minn.) and Hallquist to push the advantage to 2-1. Satrom kept the inning alive with a single up the middle to plate Josh Dykhoff and widen the gap to 3-1.The Beavers got out of a bases-loaded situation to keep the score at 3-1.
Jake Dykhoff pitched his second immaculate inning of the season in the top of the second to keep the Beavers at bay 3-1. Jake Dykhoff mowed down the order again in the top of the third.
The Beavers scored in the fourth with a Javier Gutierrez single to score Matt Malone and cut the deficit to 3-2.
Minot State put two on in the fifth using a Dalin Ludlow single. They tied it up with a Shane Kary groundout to score Ludlow and knot it at 3-3. Jake Dykhoff struck out Riddle to keep the score tied at 3-3.
Dykhoff retired the Minot State Beavers in order in the top of the sixth to keep the tally at 3-3 heading into the bottom of the sixth.
The Golden Eagles put two on in the bottom of the sixth with Satrom's third hit of the game, and a walk offered to Nunn. Danny Wensloff moved the runners over with a groundout to third. Bagshaw walked NSIC Newcomer of the Year Hallquist to load the bases with two outs. Josh Dykhoff connected on a first-pitch grand slam to push the Minnesota Crookston lead to 7-3 and end the night for Bagshaw. Bagshaw reached 120 pitches in the game. Dominick Parkhurst got the final out of the inning but not before Dykhoff put the Golden Eagles ahead 7-3.
Dykhoff struck out the side in the top of the seventh to keep the Minnesota Crookston lead at 7-3. Jonah Prokott matched Dykhoff, retiring the Golden Eagles in order in the Golden Eagle half of the inning.
The Beavers got a Beaver in scoring position, but Dykhoff tied his career high with his 14th strikeout of the game, retiring Derek Kay.
Dykhoff came out in the top of the ninth and took Minot State down in order to preserve the 7-3 win.
Minnesota Crookston returns to action in the second round against Minnesota State Thursday, May 11 at 2:30 p.m. in Mandan, N.D.
