BURNSVILLE, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team was picked to finish fourth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll released Thursday, January 18 by the conference office. The Golden Eagles highest previous preseason pick was fifth in 2022, they were selected to finish ninth in 2023.
"We have most of our offense returning and some good veteran pitchers," said Head Coach Steve Gust. "We also feel our freshmen class can contribute some as they gain experience. We have a veteran ball club which we hope helps us during the highs and lows of a season. We have the tools to win ball games but the key for us is for our guys to get better each day and have a high compete level from the start of the season to the end."
Minnesota Crookston had their best season in program history in 2023 with a 38-20 (26-10 NSIC) mark. The Golden Eagles set their all-time highs in season wins and conference victories. In addition, Head Coach Steve Gust became only the second coach in any sport at Minnesota Crookston to reach 200 or more wins in a career. Jake Hjelle (R-Sr., OF/1B, East Grand Forks, Minn.) was named the NSIC Preseason Player of the Year in 2024 after earning the honor of the NSIC Player of the Year in 2023, joining his brother Reed Hjelle as Golden Eagles to receive the distinguished accolade. Hjelle was also the D2CCA and NCBWA Region Player of the Year, and the NCBWA National Player of the Year. Josh Dykhoff (So., RHP/1B, Wadena, Minn.) returns after earning NSIC Freshman of the Year, and NCBWA All-Region honors in his first season with the Golden Eagles. Brody Sorenson (Sr., RHP, Grand Forks, N.D.) returns after being named to the All-NSIC Second Team in 2023 as a reliever. Jake Osowski (R-Sr., RHP, East Grand Forks, Minn.) is the Pitcher to Watch for the Golden Eagles after going unheralded for Minnesota Crookston after posting a 16-2 mark and a 3.46 ERA in the last three seasons. Osowski has 158 career strikeouts, to just 48 walks.
The Golden Eagles return seven starters at the plate from the 2023 squad including Hjelle and Dykhoff. In addition, Caden Headlee (R-Jr., OF, Fargo, N.D.) returns after hitting .348 last season, with 37 runs scored, and 38 RBIs. Ben Goelz (R-Sr., OF, Maple Lake, Minn.) returns after batting .303 last season, while Sawyer Satrom (R-So., IF, Portland, N.D.) hit .301 as a redshirt freshman. Danny Wensloff (Sr., OF, Roseau, Minn.) and Mitch Goodwin (R-Sr., SS, Prior Lake, Minn.) also return from last season's starting line-up. Kobe Senn (R-So., IF, Fargo, N.D.) and Teddy Giefer (Sr., 1B, Courtland, Minn.) were also key contributors for the Golden Eagles last season.
"Jake (Hjelle) is a great athlete and a 5-tool player," Gust stated. "He can run, throw, hit for average and power. He put together an awesome season a year ago, but the key for his continued success is to find ways to get better this season. He has been a hardworking, dedicated and loyal player to our program. I believe he will continue to help elevate our program this spring."
On the mound, Osowski, Dykhoff and Sorenson pace Minnesota Crookston. The Golden Eagles have several pitchers who saw action last season and will look to have increased roles in 2024. Osowski is the leading returnee with 73 innings pitched last season. Sorenson paced Minnesota Crookston with 19 appearances, mostly out of the bullpen. He did make two starts. Josh Dykhoff started seven games as a freshman for the Golden Eagles.
"Jake (Osowski) has been somewhat of an underrated player in his career," Gust said. "His win/loss percentage over the past three seasons has been stellar. He isn't overpowering on the mound but he finds ways to get outs and win us ball games. What makes him so good is his ability to command the baseball and the way he competes at such a high level."
The Golden Eagles finished third in the conference standings last season and made it to the NSIC Tournament where they lost in the consolation semifinals to Augustana University. The Vikings were picked to finish first in the NSIC, with Minnesota State University slotted behind them. Caleb Saari of Augustana was named the NSIC Preseason Pitcher of the Year.
Minnesota Crookston opens the season February 9 on the road at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.
