FORT SCOTT, Kan. - The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team picked up a doubleheader split with Wayne State College Thursday, February 22 at LaRoche Baseball Complex in Fort Scott, Kan. The Golden Eagles picked up a 2-0 win in the first game, but fell 9-2 in game two.

Minnesota Crookston moved to 2-4 (1-2 NSIC) with the split. Wayne State improved to 6-1 (6-1 NSIC) with the split Wednesday. The Wildcats lead the series 2-1 heading into game four on Friday, February 23.

Game One

Minnesota Crookston picked up the 2-0 win in the first game of the doubleheader. They were lifted by the pitching of Brody Sorenson (Sr., RHP, Grand Forks, N.D.), who tossed a complete game three-hit shutout. Sorenson struck out 10, and had no walks Thursday.

The Golden Eagles finished with five hits in the first game, guided by Caden Headlee (R-Jr., OF, Fargo, N.D.), who was 2-of-3, with an RBI. Josh Dykhoff (So., RHP/DH, Wadena, Minn.) went 1-of-3, with a run scored. Danny Wensloff (Sr., OF/C, Roseau, Minn.) was 1-of-3, with an RBI, while Kobe Senn (R-So., IF, Fargo, N.D.) went 1-of-2.

The Golden Eagles took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth when Danny Wensloff singled in Giefer.

Minnesota Crookston extended their lead to 2-0 in the top of the sixth when Headlee singled to plate Dykhoff, who had doubled earlier in the stanza.

The loss went to Wayne State's Jackson Shelburne, who allowed one run on three hits in four innings. He struck out six, and walked two.

Game Two

Wayne State was lifted by a five-run sixth inning, defeating the Golden Eagles 9-2 in the second game. Minnesota Crookston struggled with walks, as Wayne State picked up 10 walks at the plate in the second tilt.

The Golden Eagles notched eight hits. Headlee went 3-of-4, with two runs scored. Senn was 2-of-3. Kodi Miller (Jr., C, Grand Rapids, Minn.) went 1-of-2.

Wayne State was paced by Trey Wells, who was 2-of-5, with four RBIs, and a run scored. Carter Thomas went 2-of-4, with two runs scored. Kaden Young was 2-of-4, with an RBI, and a run scored.

The Wildcats took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Colin Lynam singled in Thomas.

Minnesota Crookston put together an opportunity in the second inning with singles from Headlee, and Miller. However, Wayne State was able to get out of danger and keep the score at 1-0.

The Golden Eagles loaded bases with one out in the top of the fourth. Headlee started out the rally with a single, followed by a Giefer walk. Miller then reached on a fielding error. A sacrifice fly from Sawyer Satrom (R-So., IF, Portland, N.D.) scored Headlee. In the next at-bat Senn singled to left field, Giefer attempted to score but was thrown out at the plate to keep the score knotted 1-1. 

Minnesota Crookston loaded the bases in the top of the sixth. Headlee opened up the stanza with a single to center field, followed by a Giefer walk. Miller walked to fill up the bags, with no outs. The Golden Eagles took a 2-1 lead when Headlee scored when Satrom grounded into a double play. Wayne State was able to get out of the inning trailing by one.

The Wildcats tied the game 2-2 when Chase Douglas singled to plate Kaden Young in the bottom of the sixth. Wayne State loaded the bases with two outs following a Thomas infield single. Roers walked Colin Lynam with the bases loaded, bringing in Kyler Essink to give the Wildcats a 3-2 advantage.Nate Grafsgaard (RHP, Devils Lake, N.D.) came on to get the U of M Crookston out of the inning. Wells singled off Grafsgaard, scoring Thomas, and Douglas to widen the gap to 5-2. Grafsgaard walked Cannon with the bases loaded, scoring Colin Lynam to extend the advantage to 6-2. Tad Scherbenske (Sr., RHP, Rapid City, S.D.) pitched Minnesota Crookston out of the frame.

Wayne State widened the gap to 8-2 when Wells hit a two-run home run, scoring himself, and Brayden Chaney in the eighth. A Young double plated McCafferty extended the Wildcat lead to 9-2. Carsen Barta (Fr., RHP, Fargo, N.D.) got the final out of the stanza. 

The Golden Eagles got two baserunners in the top of the ninth, but were unable to score in the stanza, as they fell 9-2.

 Nate Benning (Fr., LHP, Browerville, Minn.) started the game and put together a solid start, allowing just one run, on two hits, in four innings. Benning struck out four, and walked four. Isaac Roers (R-So., RHP, Stacy, Minn.) suffered his second loss of the season, allowing five runs, on three hits, in 1.2 innings. Roers struck out five, and walked two. Grafsgaard allowed one hit, and walked two. Scherbenske allowed two runs, on one hit, in 1.2 innings. Barta allowed a run, on one hit, in 0.2 innings.

Nathan Anderson started for the Wildcats, tossing five innings. He allowed one earned run, on six hits. Anderson struck out six, and walked two. Josh Kilzer picked up the win in relief, pitching a scoreless sixth inning.

Minnesota Crookston returns to action Friday, February 23 at 12 p.m., against the Wildcats.