CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team continues their historic season as they open the 2023 NSIC Tournament in Bismarck, N.D., and Mandan, N.D. The Golden Eagles are making their fifth appearance in the last eight seasons. Minnesota Crookston opens the NSIC Tournament Wednesday, May 10 at 6 p.m., against Minot State University at Bismarck Municipal Ballpark in Bismarck, N.D.
The Golden Eagles have a 3-10 mark in the NSIC Tournament all-time. Minnesota Crookston's best finish came in 2021 when the program made it one game shy of the NSIC Championship Game. Minnesota Crookston has played Minot State three times in the NSIC Tournament. The Golden Eagles are 2-1 against the Beavers in postseason play.
The winner of Wednesday's game will advance to play the winner of Minnesota State University and Winona State University Thursday, May 11 at 3:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Ballpark at BNC Field in Mandan, N.D. The two teams who lose Wednesday will play an elimination game Thursday, May 11 at 12 p.m., at Bismarck Municipal Ballpark.Â
Minnesota Crookston enters the tournament coming off their best season in program history with a 36-18 (26-10 NSIC) mark. The Golden Eagles set program records in overall wins and conference wins. They eclipsed 30 wins for the first time in program history. In addition, Head Coach Steve Gust became only the second coach in program history in any sport, joining former men's basketball Head Coach Gary Senske, to reach 200 wins as a UMN Crookston head coach. The Golden Eagles have set numerous records this season, including home runs in a season.Â
(3) Minnesota Crookston vs. (6) Minot State
Bismarck Municipal Ballpark, 6 p.m., Bismarck, N.D.
Live Stats - https://northernsun.org/sidearmstats/baseball2/summary
Video - https://www.nsicnetwork.com/
(3) Minnesota Crookston vs. (2) Minnesota State or (7) Winona State
If Win - Veterans Memorial Ballpark at BNC Stadium, 3:30 p.m., Mandan, N.D.
Live Stats - https://northernsun.org/sidearmstats/baseball/summary
Video - https://www.nsicnetwork.com/
If Lose- Bismarck Municipal Ballpark, 12 p.m., Bismarck, N.D.
Live Stats - https://northernsun.org/sidearmstats/baseball2/summary
Video - https://www.nsicnetwork.com/
Minnesota Crookston Projected Line-Up
Sr. C 14 Matt Nunn, .245, 15 R, 6 2B, 1 3B, 20 RBI
Fr. 1B/RF 32 Josh Dykhoff, ..339, 53 R, 14 2B, 14 HR, 48 RBI
Or Jr. 1B 18 Teddy Giefer, .252, 25 R, 9 2B, 5 HR, 19 RBI
R-Fr. 2B 34 Sawyer Satrom, .285, 30 R, 5 2B, 2 3B, 24 RBI
Jr. 3B 13 Mike Hallquist, .403, 66 R, 19 2B, 4 3B, 19 HR, 61 RBI
Jr. SS 10 Mitch Goodwin, .248, 39 R, 11 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 29 RBI
R-Jr. LF 8 Jake Hjelle, .403, 53 R, 16 2B, 4 3B, 22 HR, 77 RBI
Sr. CF 23 Ben Goelz, .309, 35 R, 10 2B, 6 HR, 35 RBI
Jr. RF/C 19 Danny Wensloff, .273, 42 R, 7 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 20 RBI
Jr. DH 9 Caden Headlee, .356, 37 R, 12 2B, 4 3B, 4 HR, 35 RBI
Top Pitchers
Sr. LHP 3 Alex Koep, 7-1 2.53 ERA, 57 IP, 75 K, 29 BB
R-Jr. RHP 24 Jake Osowski, 7-1 3.84 ERA, 68 IP, 68 K, 22 BB
R-Sr. RHP 33 Jake Dykhoff, 7-4 4.29 ERA, 71.1 IP, 93 K, 18 BB
Fr. RHP 32 Josh Dykhoff, 3-2 6.50 ERA, 36 IP, 27 K, 9 BB
R-Sr. RHP 28 Matt Nelson, 3-2 6.55 ERA, 44 IP, 38 K, 10 BB
Jr. RHP 7 Brody Sorenson, 4-2 1.74 ERA, 41.1 IP, 28 K, 9 BB
Sr. RHP 27 Jakob Wiirre, 0-1 3.60 ERA, 15 IP, 9 K, 6 BB
So. RHP 21 Derin Gaudette, 1-1 6.05 ERA, 19.1 IP, 17 K, 14 BB
R-Sr. RHP 17 Conner Richardson, 3-3 7.46 ERA, 25.1 IP, 23 K, 12 BB
The Golden Eagles enter the tournament on a four-game win streak. Minnesota Crookston is 6-2 in their last eight games. UMN Crookston is hitting .319 as a team. The Golden Eagles are led by two of the best hitters in the conference. Jake Hjelle (R-Jr., OF/1B, East Grand Forks, Minn.) is batting .403, with 53 runs scored, and a league-high 22 home runs, and 77 RBI. Mike Hallquist (Jr., 3B, Fargo, N.D.) is hitting .403, with a league-high 66 runs, to go with 19 home runs, and 61 RBIs. Josh Dykhoff (Fr., RHP/1B, Wadena, Minn.) comes in swinging .339, with 53 runs scored, 14 home runs, and 48 RBI. Caden Headlee (Jr., OF, Fargo, N.D.) is batting .356, with 37 runs scored, 12 doubles, four home runs, and 35 RBI.
On the mound, lefty Alex Koep (Sr., Parkers Prairie, Minn.) is 7-1 with a 2.53 ERA in 57 innings pitched. He has 75 strikeouts, and 29 walks. Jake Osowski (R-Jr., RHP, East Grand Forks, Minn.) comes in with a 7-1 record and a 3.84 ERA in 68 innings. He has struck out 68 and walked 22. Jake Dykhoff (R-Sr., RHP, Wadena, Minn.) is 7-4 with a 4.29 ERA in 71.1 innings pitched. Dykhoff has struck out 93, and walked 18. Out of the bullpen, Brody Sorenson (Jr., RHP, Grand Forks, N.D.) is 4-2 with a 1.74 ERA in 41.1 innings. Conner Richardson (R-Sr., RHP, Grand Forks, N.D.) leads the team with three saves this season.Â
Minot State Projected Line-Up
C 1 Martin Rodriguez, .306, 21 R, 6 2B, 2 HR, 21 RBI
1B 31 Gunnar Kozlowitz, .414, 37 R, 16 2B, 15 HR, 52 RBI
Or 1B/C 25 Cameron Carr, .326, 5 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 12 RBI
2B 7 Derek Kay, .362, 46 R, 10 2B, 5 3B, 14 HR, 57 RBI
Or 2B 9 Noah Madas, .227, 2 R, 1 RBI
3B 6 Derrick Winn, .250, 8 R, 1 HR, 9 RBI
SS/3B 5 Shane Kary, .212, 34 R, 5 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 15 RBI
Or SS 0 Dalin Ludlow, .300, 22 R, 4 2B, 2 HR, 22 RBI
LF 8 Tyler Wiltshire, .211, 13 R
Or LF 28 Mark Ossanna, .333, 39 R, 7 2B, 13 HR, 42 RBI
CF 2 Brent Riddle, .345, 44 R, 11 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 37 RBI
Or CF 14 Carter Paine, .222, 10 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 8 RBI
RF 29 Javier Gutierrez, .326, 38 R, 6 2B, 1 3B, 15 HR, 33 RBI
DH 20 Matt Malone, .358, 45 R, 11 2B, 3 3B, 7 HR, 32 RBI
Top Pitchers
RHP 15 Gage Yost, 4.2 5.01 ERA, 46.2 IP, 44 K, 27 BB
RHP 13 Bryant Bagshaw, 6-2 5.43 ERA, 53.0 IP, 55 K, 29 BB
RHP 17 Craig Schmich, 5-4 5.51 ERA, 49.0 IP, 54 K, 17 BB
RHP 12 Trevyn Badger, 2-2 5.94 ERA, 47.0 IP, 51 K, 15 BB
RHP 32 Dominick Parkhurst, 4-1 6.34 ERA, 38.1 IP, 34 K, 16 BB
RHP 22 Jonah Prokott, 3-0 4.93 ERA, 34.2 IP, 32 K, 13 BB
LHP 33 Garrett Nicholson, 3-1 5.53 ERA, 27.2 IP, 29 K, 13 BB
RHP 36 Cameron Bagshaw, 0-0 4.07 ERA, 24.1 IP, 28 K, 13 BB
Minot State enters the tournament with a 29-17 (20-14 NSIC) record. The Beavers come in as the No. 6 seed. Minnesota Crookston defeated the Beavers in two games to advance to the final stage of the NSIC Tournament in 2021. The two teams split the series this season. Minnesota Crookston has won four of the last five games in the series.
The Beavers are a power-oriented squad. They lead the league with 86 home runs. The team has a .564 slugging percentage. Minot State is lifted by Gunnar Kozlowitz, who is hitting .414, with 37 runs scored, 15 home runs, and 52 RBI. Javier Gutierrez is batting .326, with 38 runs scored, 15 home runs, and 33 RBIs. Mark Ossanna is swinging .333, with 13 home runs, and 42 RBIs.Â
On the bump, Minot State has a 5.89 ERA. They are led by Gage Yost, who is 4-2 with a 5.01 ERA in 46.2 innings pitched. Bryant Bagshaw, who the Golden Eagles saw earlier this year, is 6-2 with a 5.43 ERA in 53 innings. Craig Schmich is 5-4 with a 5.51 ERA in 49 innings of work.
Minnesota State Projected Line-Up
C 15 Nick Baker, .270, 16 R, 6 2B, 1 HR, 15 RBI
Or C 5 Zach Stroh, .267, 20 R, 2 2B, 6 RBI
1B 16 Adam Schneider, .298, 37 R, 9 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 23 RBI
2B 1 Matthew Fleischhacker, .314, 36 R, 3 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 23 RBI
3B 3 Mikey Gottschalk, .307, 32 R, 13 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 39 RBI
SS 11 Aidan Byrne, .353, 49 R, 11 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 45 RBI
LF 6 Hunter Ranweiler, .321, 23 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 17 RBI
CF 25 Ryan Wickman, .308, 44 R, 6 2B, 5 HR, 25 RBI
RF 40 Jackson Hauge, .337, 38 R, 7 2B, 7 3B, 9 HR, 56 RBI
DH 14 Louis Magers, .282, 20 R, 6 2B, 2 HR, 26 RBI
Top Pitchers
LHP 4 Nathan Culley, 6-3 3.77 ERA, 62 IP, 83 K, 24 BB
LHP 23 Dylan Gotto, 8-2 4.58 ERA, 72.2 IP, 67 K, 10 BB
RHP 21 Chandler Fochs, 6-1 4.58 ERA, 59 IP, 55 K, 16 BB
LHP 38 Taisei Yahiro, 5-0 1.89 ERA, 33.1 IP, 41 K, 9 BB
RHP 32 Aiden McGee, 2-0 3.80 ERA, 3 SV, 23.2 IP, 30 K, 12 BB
RHP 26 Jack Zigan, 1-2 4.30 ERA, 7 SV, 23 IP, 19 K, 3 BB
Minnesota State, the No. 2 seed, opens the NSIC Tournament on Wednesday against Winona State University. The Golden Eagles took 2-of-3 from the Mavericks earlier this season. They have three wins in their history against Minnesota State. Aidan Byrne is swinging .353, with 49 runs scored, six home runs, and 45 RBI. Jackson Hauge is hitting .337, with 38 runs scored, seven doubles, seven triples, nine home runs, and 56 RBI. The Mavericks have a 35-13 (25-8 NSIC) mark this season.
Minnesota State has a stacked pitching staff. The Mavericks own a 3.95 ERA. Left-hander Nathan Culley is 6-3 with a 3.77 ERA in 62 innings, with 83 strikeouts. Lefty Dylan Gotto is 8-2 with a 4.58 ERA in 72.2 innings of work, while Chandler Fochs is 6-1 with a 4.58 ERA.
Winona State Projected Line-Up
C 38 Alec Campbell, .250, 1 RBI
Or C 15 Ben Hefel, .267, 5 R, 1 HR, 7 RBI
Or C 26 Stephen Golden, .250, 1 R, 1 RBI
1B 7 Cooper Kapanke, .303, 35 R, 9 2B, 6 HR, 40 RBI
2B 24 Kyle Yu, .342, 30 R, 9 2B, 1 3B, 24 RBI
3B 2 Josh Gullickson, .250, 6 R, 6 RBI
Or 3B 14 Ryland Wall, .377, 29 R, 7 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 27 RBI
SS 1 Joshua Hawksford, 231, 17 R, 6 2B, 11 RBI
Or SS 6 Austin Beyer, .260, 26 R, 7 2B, 4 HR, 22 RBI
LF 9 Carter Brinkman, .206, 19 R, 5 2B, 2 HR, 22 RBI
CF 11 Payton Beyer, .347, 12 R, 5 2B, 8 RBI
Or CF 37 Mason Trocke, .323, 43 R, 7 2B, 2 HR, 14 RBI
RF 31 Nick Herbst, .330, 22 R, 6 2B, 1 HR, 18 RBI
Or RF 10 Steele Beatty, .308, 25 R, 9 2B, 1 3B, 20 RBI
DH/2B 12 Jess Ondell, .371, 8 R, 1 2B, 2 HR, 10 RBI
Or DH 27 Derek Baumgartner, .399, 26 R, 21 BB, 3 HR, 25 RBI
Top Pitchers
RHP 3 Justin Firpo, 3-3 6.40 ERA, 52 IP, 35 K, 21 BB
RHP 30 Peyton Lee, 3-4 7.81 ERA, 53 IP, 42 K, 22 BB
RHP 23 Peter Tveite, 3-4 8.14 ERA, 45.1 IP, 44 K, 19 BB
RHP 39 Pierce Gritzmaker, 0-4 5.64 ERA, 30.1 IP, 14 K, 14 BB
RHP 20 Drew Lingen, 2-3 7.80 ERA, 30 IP, 23 K, 18 BB
Winona State, the No. 7 seed, opens the tournament Wednesday against Minnesota State. The Warriors own a 22-27 (18-16 NSIC) record. They split with the Golden Eagles in Mauston, Wis., earlier this season. Winona State is hitting .305 as a team. They are guided by Derek Baumgartner, who is batting .399, with 26 runs scored, three home runs, and 25 RBI. Ryland Wall comes in hitting .377, with 29 runs scored, seen doubles, three triples, and 27 RBI. Mason Trocke is swinging .323, with 43 runs scored, seven doubles, and 14 RBI.
On the mound, Winona State has a 7.15 ERA. They are led by Justin Firpo, who is 3-3 with a 6.40 ERA in 52 innings. Peyton Lee comes into the week with a 3-4 mark and a 7.81 ERA, while Peter Tveite is 3-4 with a 8.14 ERA.Â
Southwest Minnesota State
Top Hitters
SS 12 Chase McDaniel, .388, 50 R, 11 2B, 1 3B, 7 HR, 31 RBI
1B 31 Jaxon Haase, .358, 43 R, 9 2B, 10 HR, 36 RBI
OF 1 Isaac Nett, .336, 40 R, 7 2B, 1 3B, 8 HR, 37 RBI
Top Pitchers
RHP 17 Ansen Dulas, 3-1 2.89 ERA, 46.2 IP, 32 K, 7 BB
RHP 37 Kolby Kiser, 4-1 3.22 ERA, 44.2 IP, 65 K, 13 BB
LHP 6 Ryan Chmielewski, 4-1 3.66 ERA, 46.2 IP, 48 K, 21 BB
The Mustangs are the No. 5 seed. They are in the NSIC Tournament for the first time since 2014. Southwest Minnesota State has a 27-15 (19-13 NSIC) record. The Mustangs play St. Cloud State University in the first round Wednesday at 12 p.m., in Bismarck, N.D. They are led at the plate by Chase McDaniel, who is hitting .388, with 50 runs scored, seven home runs, and 31 RBI. Jaxon Haase is hitting .358, with 43 runs scored, 10 home runs, and 36 RBI.
On the mound, the Mustangs are lifted by Ansen Dulas, who is 3-1 with a 2.89 ERA in 46.2 innings pitched, while Kolby Kiser is 4-1 with a 3.22 ERA in 44.2 innings pitched. Minnesota Crookston swept the Mustangs last weekend, 3-0.Â
Augustana
Top Hitters
IF 23 Jack Hines, .374, 44 R, 11 2B, 5 3B, 5 HR, 32 RBI
C 14 Drey Dirksen, .361, 55 R, 17 2B, 2 3B, 13 HR, 49 RBI
C/OF 16 Nick Banowetz, .359, 44 R, 11 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 28 RBI
Top Pitchers
RHP 48 Caleb Saari, 5-2 2.70 ERA, 56.2 IP, 69 K, 13 BB
RHP 28 Seth Miller, 8-1 3.07 ERA, 70.1 IP, 73 K, 20 BB
RHP 22 Caleb Kranz, 6-1 4.47 ERA, 56.1 IP, 79 K, 20 BB
Augustana is the top seed in the NSIC Tournament and the regular-season Champion. The Vikings are 39-16 (28-7 NSIC). Augustana swept the Golden Eagles in three games on the road this season. Augustana is hitting .295 as a team. They are led by Jack Hines, who is swinging .374, with 44 runs scored, 11 doubles, five home runs, and 32 RBI. Catcher Drey Dirksen is hitting .361, with 55 runs scored, 13 home runs, and 49 RBI.Â
On the hill, the Vikings have a 4.35 ERA. They are guided by Caleb Saari, who is 5-2 with a 2.70 ERA in 56.2 inning pitched, with 69 strikeouts. Equally as potent is Seth Miller, who is 8-1 with a 3.07 ERA in 70.1 innings pitched. Augustana opens the tournament on Wednesday at 12 p.m. in Mandan, N.D., against Wayne State College.
St. Cloud State
Top Hitters
OF 7 John Nett, .453, 53 R, 19 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, 47 RBI
C/IF 12 Drew Bulson, .394, 18 R, 8 2B, 6 HR, 31 RBI
IF 22 Sam Riola, .364, 64 R, 13 2B, 5 3B, 13 HR, 55 RBI
Top Pitchers
RHP 4 Drew Beier, 6-2 3.15 ERA, 45.2 IP, 36 K, 18 BB
RHP 22 Sam Riola, 3-4 5.36 ERA, 50.1 IP, 64 K, 18 BB
LHP 28 Jack Habeck, 3-4 7.38 ERA, 36.1 IP, 38 K, 12 BB
The Huskies are the No. 4 seed and open the tournament on Wednesday in Bismarck, N.D., against Southwest Minnesota State. They are 28-17 (20-10 NSIC). St. Cloud State is hitting .330 as a team. John Nett has been one of the best in the NSIC this season, hitting .453, with 53 runs scored, 19 doubles, four home runs, and 47 RBI. Drew Bulson is swinging .394, with 18 runs scored, and 31 RBI, while reigning NSIC Player of the Year Sam Riola is hitting .364, with 64 runs scored, 13 home runs, and 55 RBI.Â
On the bump, Drew Beier is 6-2 with a 3.15 ERA in 45.2 innings pitched, while Riola is 3-4 with a 5.36 ERA in 50.1 innings. St. Cloud State swept Minnesota Crookston earlier this season.Â
Wayne State
Top Hitters
OF 6 Colin Lynam, .351, 44 R, 13 2B, 3 3B, 11 HR, 55 RBI
OF 41 Carter Thomas, .348, 50 R, 9 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 32 RBI
IF 21 Quinn McCafferty, .348, 40 R, 12 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 32 RBI
Top Pitchers
LHP 12 Corbin Kirk, 4-4 5.47 ERA, 52.2 IP, 75 K, 26 BB
RHP 10 Braden Cannon, 2-1 2.04 ERA, 35.1 IP, 36 K, 15 BB
RHP 18 Nathan Anderson, 3-4 6.45 ERA, 44.2 IP, 46 K, 14 BB
The Wildcats are the No. 8 seed in the tournament. They open play on Wednesday in Mandan, N.D., against Augustana. Wayne State has a 24-24 (18-16 NSIC) record. They are led at the plate by Colin Lynam, who is batting .351, with 44 runs scored, 11 home runs, and 55 RBI. Carter Thomas is hitting .348, with 50 runs scored, five home runs, and 32 RBI.
On the bump, the Wildcats look to lefty Corbin Kirk with a 4-4 mark and a 5.47 ERA in 52.2 innings pitched. Braden Cannon is 2-1 with a 2.04 ERA in 35.1 innings pitched of relief. Wayne State was swept by the Golden Eagles to open conference play.Â
To Purchase Tournament Tickets, go to www.northernsun.org/Tickets.Â
Admission/Ticket Prices
Ticket Prices/Day
Adult Ticket:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $20.00
Student Ticket:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $10.00
Children 5 & Under:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Free
All-Tournament Pass
All-Tournament Pass: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $35.00
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