CROOKSTON, Minn. - Minnesota Crookston is close to embarking on the 2024 season. They are coming off one of their best seasons in program history after posting a 38-20 (26-10 NSIC) mark in 2023. The Golden Eagles made it to the consolation semifinals of the NSIC Tournament before seeing an end to their season. Minnesota Crookston has risen up the ranks in the NSIC in the past decade after struggling to find their footing prior to the arrival of Head Coach Steve Gust. The Golden Eagles finished third in the NSIC last season, and has made the NSIC Tournament five of the last eight seasons. Gust enters his 10th season as head coach in 2024. In 2023, he joined Gary Senske as the only two coaches in Minnesota Crookston history to reach 200 or more wins. 

The Golden Eagles look to continue their success. The 2024 roster is a blend of guys with great experience, players who have yet to prove themselves at the NCAA Division II level, and a strong group of freshmen. They were picked fourth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. 

"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."

Catcher - The Golden Eagles are guided by Danny Wensloff (Sr., OF/C, Roseau, Minn.), who returns from the 2023 squad. Wensloff hit .259 in 43 starts, with 45 runs, five home runs, and 22 RBIs. He split time between catcher and outfield, and will have a similar role in 2024. Kodi Miller (Jr., C, Grand Rapids, Minn.) looks to play a prominent role as a first-year Golden Eagle. The Minnesota North College-Itasca transfer hit .367 with 42 RBIs last season. Additionally, Jonah Norman (R-Fr., C, Winnipeg, Manitoba) looks to play a key role after redshirting last season. The Golden Eagles also have Matt Heinrich (Jr., C, Tomahawk, Wis.), and Isaac Telle (R-Fr., C, East Grand Forks, Minn.) at the position.

First Base - Minnesota Crookston boasts a ton of talent and experience at first base. Teddy Giefer (Sr., 1B, Courtland, Minn.) has been a player who has continued to grow and mature as a hitter throughout his time as a Golden Eagle. Giefer hit .246 as a junior, with 37 starts. He had 25 runs scored. Jake Hjelle (R-Sr., OF/1B, East Grand Forks, Minn.), the reigning NSIC Player of the Year and NCBWA National Player of the Year will split time in the outfield and first base. Hjelle had one of the greatest seasons in program history, hitting .401, with 56 runs scored, 24 home runs, and 79 RBIs. Cole Hebl (Fr., 1B, Hillsboro, N.D.) is a freshman who could see time as a newcomer and looks to factor in as a future player at the position. Nick Thompson (R-Sr., 1B, Park River, N.D.) is a senior for the Golden Eagles who adds depth at the position.

Second Base - Kobe Senn (R-So., IF, Fargo, N.D.) played mostly at third base last season but did see some time at second base. Senn was stuck behind other players last year but came through in key moments throughout the season. Senn hit .444 in 16 games, with four runs scored, and two RBIs. Aaron Wensloff (Fr., IF, Roseau, Minn.) is a local player who looks to make a major impact throughout his career and will look to find time in his debut season.

Third Base - Sawyer Satrom (R-So., Portland, N.D.) started at second base as a redshirt freshman but moves over to third base to man the hot corner. Satrom hit .301 last season in 54 starts, with 31 runs scored, and 25 RBIs. Grant Proctor (Jr., IF, Crystal, Minn.) provides depth at the position after hitting .300, with 37 runs scored at Century College last season. 

Short Stop - The Golden Eagles are guided by the experience of Mitch Goodwin (R-Sr., SS, Prior Lake, Minn.), who has been a three-year staple at the position. Goodwin hit .253 in 56 starts, with 40 runs scored, 11 doubles, five home runs, and 29 RBIs. Caden Kappes (Fr.,IF, Wahpeton, N.D.) is another player from within the region who could play throughout the infield for the Golden Eagles and factors brightly into the future for Minnesota Crookston. 

Outfield - The Golden Eagles are full of experience in the outfield and have a plethora of depth at the position. Hjelle leads the way after manning his left field post last season. Caden Headlee (R-Jr., OF, Fargo, N.D.) returns after hitting .348 in 57 starts last season, with 37 runs scored, and 38 RBIs. Ben Goelz (R-Sr., OF, Maple Lake, Minn.) had previously planned to graduate in 2023, but decided to come back for a super senior season. Goelz hit .303 last season in 49 starts. Danny Wensloff will split time as a catcher and outfielder. The Golden Eagles have a whole host of other players who could see time in the outfield with Angelo Pacyga (R-So., OF, Sunfish Lake, Minn.), Christian Norby (Sr., OF, Ashby, Minn.), Americo Sculati (R-So., OF, Golden Valley, Minn.), and Connor Bushbaum (R-So., OF, Saginaw, Minn.).

Designated Hitter - The key player at designated hitter is 2023 NSIC Freshman of the Year Josh Dykhoff (So., UT, Wadena, Minn.), who played at first base and designated hitter last season. Dykhoff is a 2024 NCBWA Preseason All-Central Region selection. He hit .335 as a freshman, with 57 runs scored, 15 home runs, and 53 RBIs. Norby backs up Dykhoff after batting .250 in 17 games last season. Sculati could also see time at the position after redshirting in 2023. 

Starting Pitchers - The starting pitching staff is anchored by the experience of returner Jake Osowski (R-Sr., RHP, East Grand Forks, Minn.), who hasn't gotten the accolades of other pitchers but who has been one of the steadiest pitchers in the NSIC the last three seasons. Osowski is 16-2 with a 3.46 ERA in the last three seasons. In 2023, he went 7-1 with a 4.07 ERA in 73 innings pitched, with 71 strikeouts, and just 23 walks. Josh Dykhoff will be a key player at the position after posting a 3-2 mark and a 6.50 ERA in seven starts as a freshman. Brody Sorenson (Sr., RHP, Grand Forks, N.D.) moves into the starting role after mostly serving as a back-end guy the last three seasons. Sorenson did make two starts as a junior. He was a 2023 All-NSIC Second Team pick after going 4-4 with a 2.68 ERA in 47 innings. Isaac Wensloff (So., RHP, Roseau, Minn.) looks to have an elevated role after pitching 6.2 innings as a freshman. Isaac Roers (R-So., RHP, Stacy, Minn.) redshirted last season but in 2022 made 13 appearances, mostly out of the bullpen. Nate Benning (Fr., LHP, Browerville, Minn.) is an impact freshman who looks to make an impact throughout his career for the Golden Eagles. 

Bullpen - Bullpen is a spot where several guys who either saw time last season or who are new to the program will look to make their mark. Nate Grafsgaard (Sr., RHP, Devils Lake, N.D.) looks to play a prominent role in the back-end of the bullpen after posting a 3.12 ERA in seven appearances. Joey Connelly (So., LHP, Eden Prairie, Minn.) also figures into the back end of the bullpen after two appearances as a freshman. Caden Edwards (R-Jr., LHP, Duluth, Minn.) comes over from NCAA Division I North Dakota State University after appearing in eight games for the Bison in 2022. Max Weber (Jr., RHP, St. Paul, Minn.) returns after making six appearances with a 1.50 ERA last season. Tad Scherbenske (R-Sr., RHP, Rapid City, S.D.) is also back after five appearances last season. Jacob Mathiason (R-Jr., RHP, Rockford, Minn.) is a transfer from Bemidji State University, who made eight appearances out of the bullpen in 2022. Carsen Barta (Fr., RHP, Fargo, N.D.) looks to make his mark as an impact freshman. He is a legacy to the program after his brother Cayden Barta competed for Minnesota Crookston from 2014-17. The Golden Eagles have a whole host of other arms who could find their way into the bullpen in 2024.  

 

Minnesota Crookston opens the 2024 season with a four-game set at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs February 9-11.